We are a team of Multidisciplinary practitioners including Physiotherapist, registered Massage Therapists, Osteopath, Chiropractor aiming to provide best results with their expertise. Curezone Physiotherapy Mississauga have been working towards your goals and trying our best to provide best results as possible.

What is a varicose vein?

• These are types of veins that have been affected due to lack of or inadequate venous return over a prolonged period of time. Varicose veins are commonly due to severe deep vein thrombosis (blood clotting in the vein) or a blockage by a neoplasm. As a result, the body will experience venous hypertension (increased blood pressure) or venous stasis (pooling of blood) in the lower extremities. Chronic pooling of blood in the veins causes inadequate oxygenation and removal of waste products which in turn leads to necrosis of tissues and the development of venous stasis ulcers.

How physiotherapy will help in the management of varicose veins? 

• The physiotherapist will measure and fit the patient for a pressure gradient supporting garment. 
• Will provide knowledge on how to properly use as well as how to put on effectively at the start of each day.
• Create a regular exercise program that is easy for the patient to follow to help in aiding the recovery of the body.  
• Our registered physiotherapist at Curezone physiotherapy, Mississauga will educate the patient on their diagnosis and will provide helpful techniques on how to properly take care of the skin.

Self-management and preventative techniques for varicose veins:

• Wear pressure gradient garments after getting out of bed and worn throughout the day.
• Worn during exercise and ambulation.
• Elevate lower extremities and ambulation until heart rate returns to normal.
• Avoid prolonged periods of standing still or sitting with legs dependent.
• Elevate involved limbs to above heart level when resting or sleeping to avoid lymphedema. 
• Use intermittent mechanical compression pump and sleeve with involved limb elevated for several hours a day.
• Manual massage to drain edema (stroke in distal-proximal direction)
  • clearing the proximal nodes and areas of lymphedema first then the middle and finally the distal areas.
• Relaxation and active ROM of distal muscles while involved limb is elevated.
• Light active exercise such as walking on a regular basis.
• Proper skin care

What is lymphedema?

• Lymphedema is an excessive accumulation of extravascular and extracellular fluid and protein in tissue spaces. This occurs when the capacity of the lymph transport system has been exceeded by the amount of lymph volume which is connected to a disturbance of the water and protein balance across the capillary membrane. Lymphedema is caused by an increased concentration of proteins drawing larger amounts of water into interstitial fluid spaces.

Where can lymphedema be located?

• Its most common to see lymphedema in the distal extremities in particular the dorsum of foot or hand.
• It can also be seen more centrally in the axilla and groin region.

How severe is lymphedema?

• Lymphedema is described by the severity of the changes seen in the skin and subcutaneous tissues.

How to prevent lymphedema:

• Avoid static positioning ie, prolonged sitting, standing, and sitting with legs crossed.
• When travelling by car, if driving for long periods of time takes breaks periodically to walk around.
• Elevating involved limbs and performing pump exercises throughout the day.
• Avoiding vigorous, repetitive activities with the involved limb.
  • Carrying heavy loads, use of heavy weights during exercise.
• Wear compression garment when exercising.
• Avoid wearing clothing that restricts circulation.
  • Clothes with tight elastics, rings, and watches.
• Monitor diet to maintain an ideal weight and minimize sodium intake.
• Avoid hot environments or use of local heat.
• If possible, avoid having blood pressure or injections taken on the involved upper or lower extremities.

Skin care:

• Keep skin clean and supple.
  • Use moisturizer but avoid perfumed lotions.
• Avoid infections.
  • Pay immediate attention to the skin abrasion.
• Protect hands and feet.
  • Wear socks/hose, proper fitting shoes, rubber gloves/oven mitts.
• Avoid contact with harsh detergents and chemicals.
• Use caution when cutting nails. Women need to use electric razor when shaving legs or underarm area.
• Avoid hot baths, whirlpools and saunas that elevate the body’s core temperature.

What type of exercises are appropriate?

• Active Rom, stretching and low intensity resistance exercises integrated with manual drainage techniques.
• Low intensity cardio-vascular endurance activity such as bicycling often following ROM and strengthening exercises.
• Specific exercises for upper and lower extremities suggest by the physiotherapist.

What is Venous Insufficiency?

Venous insufficiency is one of the other reasons of leg aches. Venous insufficiency is a problem with the flow of blood from the veins of the legs back to the heart. It’s also called chronic venous insufficiency or chronic venous stasis. Veins have valves that keep the blood moving in one direction—toward the heart. 

Lifestyle modifications (weight loss, diet, exercise, leg elevation, ECS) are recommended. Compression therapy is the mainstay of management.  It has been suggested an exercise program for 6 months or more consisting of leg strengthening and aerobic exercise is reasonable for patients who can tolerate it. Early walking and habitual physical activity do not worsen symptoms in DVT and improve calf-muscle pump and QOL.1,2

Treatments such as physical exercise that aim to increase the movement of the ankle joint and strengthen the muscle pump in the calf of the leg may be useful to reduce the symptoms of CVI.

Our experienced physiotherapist at Curezone Physiotherapy Mississauga will assess you to find out the actual cause of your symptoms and will help you and try their best in the permanent solution of your symptoms.

If you or someone you know who is suffering from Varicose veins, Call Curezone Physiotherapy Mississauga today!! We have a Physiotherapy Clinic near Heartland town center and is situated in the central Mississauga to serve you all.

References

1.Beeber – Dimmer JL, Pfeifer JR, Engle JS, Schottenfeld D. The epidemiology of chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.Ann Intern Med. 2008;149(10):698-707.
2. Kahn SR. The post-thrombotic syndrome. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2016 Dec 2; 2016(1): 413–418