There is a lot of information about varicose veins. Around the world, specialized clinics with a narrow profile began to open, the operation of which is aimed at combating this pathology. It is not difficult to conclude that if special clinics began to open for the treatment of varicose veins, it means that the problem has become widespread.
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 the doctors react with restraint and rather cautiously. No massage can be used to combat varicose veins. And in some cases, massage is completely contraindicated.
Its use is strongly recommended in prophylaxis. This is especially true for those who are at an increased risk of varicose veins.
Reference!Massage for varicose veins can help with the situation, and it can make it even worse. You can only entrust your feet to an experienced massage therapist, a professional in his field.
Types of massage for varicose veins of the legs
If varicose veins are diagnosed, massage is considered one of the most popular and well-known methods of treatment. In practice, there are several types of massage, each of which aims to stimulate blood circulation in the legs. It is recommended to contact specialists trained in all the subtleties of working with this disease.
The massage course allows you to:
- Deal with swelling, cramps, and numbness.
- Relieve tension in the legs.
- Increase vascular tone.
- Normalize blood flow.
The most well-known and effective types of massage will be described below. Thanks to them, it is possible to normalize the blood flow in the lower extremities, reduce pain and discomfort in the legs.
Canned
With this type of massage, the effect on the vessels is through irritation of the skin with a vacuum cleaner. Cupping massage allows you to increase muscle tone, improve muscle elasticity, they begin to contract vigorously, as a result, blood circulation is normalized.
Massage helps to cope with pain, remove congestion and normalize metabolic processes in the tissues. Small bleeding may appear on the skin - this is normal.
The duration of treatment, as well as the places where 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, pots with lit cotton are installed.
- They use a vacuum device, it consists of a can and a balloon, which creates a vacuum.
During the procedure, the patient can 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 early stages of the disease. If the disease has already started, self-massage is strictly prohibited.
The massage technique is simple. You can do this at home or during breaks at work.
The patient is seated on the couch with one leg on the floor and the other extended. The massage begins by stroking the thigh upwards from the knee. Then you can start kneading the skin. The surface of the thigh should be massaged and pressed with your fingers until the skin begins to redden and a pleasant warmth appears. Then you should shake your leg a few times.
At work, at lunchtime, you can also pay attention to the lower leg and massage it for 5 minutes.
Hydromassage
Hydromassage is a massage of the legs, not jerky, but with fluid movements using jets of water of a pleasant temperature, which are supplied under high pressure.
This type of massage can be performed using a special hydromassage (shower) or at home using an ordinary shower. Procedures with contrasting water temperature are particularly useful, when hot jets are replaced by cold jets.
The purpose of hydromassage for varicose veins is to achieve uniform redness of the skin of the legs by rubbing the thighs and legs with jets of water supplied under high pressure.
Medical
To prevent the further development of the disease, as well as to effectively shorten the recovery period, the doctor may prescribe manual medical massage. Before starting the session, you should prepare for the procedure. To do this, the following recommendations will help you:
- before the start of the massage, you need to let your legs rest: lie down for 10 minutes, it is advisable to put your legs on a hill;
- massage is best done in the morning after exercise therapy. This will greatly improve the result;
- during treatment the patient should be comfortable (it should not be accompanied by unpleasant / painful sensations);
- if there are any contraindications, the session must be canceled.
The massage method is chosen by the doctor taking into account certain factors: the degree of venous damage, the localization of varicose veins and only after the diagnosis of the patient.
The following techniques are applicable to medical massage:
- continuous caresses of the skin of the wrap, as well as the flat nature;
- trembling legs and rubbing muscles;
- slight tingling.
During the session, the patient is supine, the legs are bent at the knees. He can also lie on his stomach with his legs straight. In the area where there are problems, strong stinging and tapping of the skin is not allowed.
Anti cellulite
When massage is considered a method of combating cellulite, it is difficult to distinguish a single technique. For medical staff, anti-cellulite massage courses are also given with honey, vacuum massage, percussion, as well as lymphatic drainage techniques.
Anti-cellulite massage of varicose veins by force, pressure or blows is strictly prohibited. Doctors may allow lymphatic drainage if it is done during complex treatment.
Lymphatic massage directly affects the affected area. Thanks to the procedure, you can normalize blood circulation, stimulate blood and lymph microcirculation.
Reference!The procedure of lymphatic drainage of varicose veins should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor: only he can correctly assess the necessary load 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 proven methods of Tibetan medicine. An example is the "Guasha" procedure, which consists of a massage using a specialized plate. This plate is made of buffalo horn or special stones, previously soaked with a mixture of essential oils and certain herbs from Tibet.
Reference!"Guasha" literally translates to "scratching" on the patient's body. During the session, the body relaxes, the pain caused by the manifestations of varicose veins decreases, toxins are effectively removed from the skin.
To get the maximum effect from the procedure, certain rules should be followed (for example, do not swim for 1-3 days). After the session, traces remain on the skin, similar to those after a suction cup massage.
LPG
In order to prevent the development of varicose veins, LPG therapy with a device can be used. Thanks to its use, you can achieve:
- Reduce the load on the veins.
- Improvement of tissue elasticity.
- Normalization of blood flow.
LPG massage has contraindications for varicose veins: this procedure can not be prescribed in severe stages of the disease. Only the initial stages and 2 allow this method of treatment to be used.
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. Here 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.
You should clearly adhere to the recommendations and indications of the doctor for the use of a particular type of massage.
At the first signs of the disease, or if you have an increased risk of developing varicose veins, it is recommended to undergo preventive massage sessions. Spot treatment allows the initial stage to fully cope with the disease and avoid the fact that varicose veins will only need to be treated with an operation.