There is a lot of information on varicose veins. In the world they began to open specialized narrow-profile clinics, the operation of which is aimed at combating this pathology. It is not difficult to conclude that if they began to open special clinics for the treatment of varicose veins, it means that the problem has spread.
Let's try to understand what massage for varicose veins is and whether it can be used to get rid of this pathology.
indications
What is the attitude of specialists towards massage in the presence of venous pathology? It should be noted that doctors react in moderation and rather cautiously. No massage can be used to combat varicose veins. And in some cases, massage is completely contraindicated.
Its use is highly recommended for prophylaxis. This is especially true for those who are at greater risk for varicose veins.
Reference!Massage for varicose veins can help with the situation and can make it even worse. You can only entrust your feet to an experienced massage therapist, a professional in their field.
Types of massage for varicose veins of the legs
If varicose veins are diagnosed, massage is considered to be one of the most popular and well-known methods of treatment. In practice, there are different types of massage, each of which is aimed at stimulating blood circulation in the legs. It is recommended to contact specialists trained in all the intricacies of work with this disease.
The massage course allows you to:
- Cope with swelling, cramps and numbness.
- Relieves tension in the legs.
- Increases the vascular tone.
- Normalizes blood flow.
The most famous and effective types of massage will be described below. Thanks to them, it is possible to normalize blood flow in the lower limbs, reduce pain and discomfort in the legs.
In box
With this type of massage, the effect on the vessels is carried out through irritation of the skin with a vacuum. Cupping massage allows you to increase muscle tone, improve muscle elasticity, begin to contract vigorously, as a result, blood circulation is normalized.
Massage helps to cope with pain, eliminate congestion and normalize metabolic processes in the tissues. Small bleeding spots may appear on the skin - this is normal.
The duration of treatment, as well as the places where the banks will be applied, are prescribed by the attending physician on an individual basis.
Such banks can be installed in 2 ways:
- The skin is softened by applying petroleum jelly or cream, jars with lit cotton wool are installed.
- They resort to using a vacuum device, consisting of a can and a balloon, which allows you to create a vacuum.
During the procedure, the patient may be in a lying or sitting position. The duration of the session is 10-15 minutes. When the cans are removed, the skin is lubricated with a nourishing cream and the patient is covered with a woolen blanket.
Important!This massage is prohibited for patients diagnosed with heart disease and hypertension.
Self-massage
This type of massage is allowed only in the initial stages of the disease. If the disease has already begun, self-massage is strictly prohibited.
The massage technique is simple. You can do this at home or during breaks at work.
The patient sits on the sofa, with one leg on the ground and the other extended. The massage begins by stroking the thigh upward from the knee. Then you can start kneading the skin. The surface of the thigh should be massaged and squeezed with the fingers until the skin begins to redden and a pleasant warmth appears. After that, you should shake the leg a couple of times.
At work, at lunchtime, you can also pay attention to the lower leg and massage it for 5 minutes.
Hydromassage
The hydromassage is a massage of the legs not in jerks, but with fluid movements through jets of water at a pleasant temperature, delivered at high pressure.
This type of massage can be performed using a special hydromassage (shower), or at home using a normal shower. Especially useful are procedures with a contrasting water temperature, when hot jets are replaced by cold ones.
The purpose of the hydromassage for varicose veins is to obtain a uniform redness of the skin of the legs by rubbing the thighs and legs with jets of water delivered at high pressure.
Doctor
To prevent further development of the disease and to effectively shorten the recovery period, the doctor may prescribe a manual medical massage. Before starting the session, you need to prepare for the procedure. To do this, the following tips will help you:
- before the start of the massage, you need to let your legs rest: lie down for 10 minutes, it is recommended to place your legs on a hill;
- it is best to do the massage in the morning, after physical therapy. This will significantly improve the result;
- during treatment, the patient should feel comfortable (should not be accompanied by unpleasant / painful sensations);
- if there are any contraindications, the session must be canceled.
The method of massage is chosen by the doctor taking into account some factors: the degree of venous damage, the location of varicose veins and only after the diagnosis of the patient.
The following techniques are applicable to medical massage:
- continuous caress of the enveloping skin, as well as planar nature;
- shaking legs and rubbing muscles;
- slight tingling.
During the session, the patient is in the supine position, the legs are bent at the knees. He can also lie on his stomach with his legs extended. In the area where there are problems, severe tingling and tapping of the skin is not allowed.
Anti-cellulite
When massage is seen as a method of combating cellulite, it is difficult to identify a technique. For health professionals we also teach anti-cellulite massage courses with honey, vacuum, percussion and lymphatic drainage techniques.
Anti-cellulite massage for varicose veins with force, pressure or blows is strictly prohibited. Doctors may authorize lymphatic drainage if done during complex treatment.
Lymphatic massage directly affects the affected area. Thanks to the procedure, you can normalize blood circulation, stimulate microcirculation of blood and lymph.
Reference!The lymphatic drainage procedure for varicose veins should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor: only he can correctly assess what load is needed in each case.
Honey massage for varicose veins is not recommended, as it sometimes causes additional pain.
Guasha
Very often, in the fight against pathology, they resort to the proven methods of Tibetan medicine. An example is the "Guasha" procedure, which consists of a massage using a specialized plate. This dish is made from buffalo horn or special stones, pre-soaked with a blend of essential oils and some Tibetan herbs.
Reference!"Guasha" literally translates to "scrape" on the patient's body. During the session, the body relaxes, the pain from the manifestations of varicose veins decreases, toxins are effectively removed from the skin.
To achieve the maximum effect of the procedure, you need to follow some rules (for example, do not swim for 1 - 3 days). After the session, traces remain on the skin, similar to those after a cupping massage.
LPG
In order to prevent the development of varicose veins, it is possible to use LPG therapy with an apparatus. Thanks to its use it is possible to obtain:
- By reducing the load on the veins.
- Improvement of tissue elasticity.
- Normalization of blood flow.
LPG massage has contraindications for varicose veins - this procedure cannot be prescribed in severe stages of the disease. Only the first and second stages allow the use of this method of treatment.
Contraindications for massage with varicose veins
Massage with this pathology is not always acceptable. There are a number of contraindications for which the appointment of sessions is unacceptable. The following are the reasons for postponing a visit to a massage therapist:
- thrombophlebitis / thrombosis of the vessels of the legs;
- ARVI;
- increased body temperature;
- inflammatory processes;
- infectious diseases.
It is necessary to clearly adhere to the recommendations and directions of the doctor for the use of a particular type of massage.
At the first signs of the disease, or if you are at an increased risk of developing varicose veins, it is recommended that you undergo massage sessions for prevention. Spot treatment allows at the initial stage to fully cope with the disease and prevent the fact that varicose veins will have to be treated only with the help of an operation.