While some are bothered by the look of the varicose veins, others experience discomfort because of them. The first thing you might consider is massage therapy because of the aching, but this can worsen the condition. In fact, most registered massage therapists will avoid those varicose veins because they know massage could be problematic in those areas. But, the good news is: there are great options available to eliminate your varicose veins!Varicose veins can be painful and occur when valves allow improper blood flow and pooling. They are very common, and somewhere around 40 million adults have them in the US. Varicose veins are removable with treatment.
Here are some of the most common varicose vein treatment options so you can see how they stack up.
Top Varicose Vein Treatment Options
The throbbing, itching, cramping and heaviness often associated with varicose veins is something you may be desperate to end. The treatment for varicose veins has been advancing dramatically in the past several years and there are options.
Will Massage Work for Varicose Vein Treatment?
Massages can actually worsen varicose veins, but they tend to be the solution patients consider first when trying to alleviate their discomfort. The veins are already damaged in the first place and massage does not re-circulate the pooled blood. Instead the massaging the spider veins could cause the weak and damaged veins to burst. Massages around the areas may alleviate pain temporarily, but a trained massage therapist will know not to actually massage the veins themselves.
Why Vein Stripping is No Longer A Good Practice
There are a number of risks with vein stripping, including a high failure rate that leads to varicose vein reoccurrence. Despite that, it is a complicated procedure that requires general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia to numb your lower half. It takes about 14-28 days to recover from varicose vein stripping, depending on how complicated the procedure was and how bad your veins were.
What is Laser Ablation for Varicose Veins?
Endoveneous laser ablation (EVLT) is now the top choice for reducing spider veins and preventing reoccurring superficial vein reflux. It uses a diode laser fiber to block the vein with rapid and pain-free results.
What Are Foam Injection Vein Treatments?
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy or Foam Sclerotherapy removes the veins permanently to prevent further pooling with an irritant injection that collapses the veins completely. This option is the only option that will end any chance of superficial reflux recurrence for that vein (because it is gone).
Both laser ablation and foam injection are effective, minimally-invasive and relatively pain-free. They will not cause scarring and choosing the right one depends on your individual varicose vein condition and how your body responds to treatment.
Find a Vein Specialist in the Clearwater, FL Area
You shouldn’t have to deal with the discomfort of damaged veins. You can find permanent solutions to remove varicose veins and alleviate the aching and throbbing they cause.
Dr. Chris Pittman is a vein specialist that will treat your varicose veins in the Clearwater or Tampa areas. For help with your varicose veins and finding the right solution, schedule a secure video consultation or in-person appointment today.
