Care For Your Legs and Problem Veins

Taking care of your legs can help reduce the symptoms of problem veins.

Compression Stockings
Compression stockings fit snug around your legs which helps move blood upward thus preventing pooling in the veins in your legs. Stockings come in different degrees of pressures and your doctor will prescribe compression stockings that are appropriate for you. Stockings also come in different styles, lengths, colors, and sizes. You may be able to purchase stockings at your doctors office, medical supply store, pharmacy, or even online.

Important Tips For Wearing Compression Stockings

• Have your doctor recommend the right compression stocking and
   wear them as instructed
• Wear them correctly by pulling them to the recommended height
   and no further
• Do not let them bunch up since this can confine your circulation
• Buy new stockings when they start to become loose, which is
   around 4 to 6 months
• Do not sleep in them unless recommended by your doctor
• Ask the nurse for helpful hints if you have difficulty putting
   them on

Importance of Exercising
Exercising your calf muscles even while sitting down helps move blood upward towards the heart. Remember when flying to move your feet up and down like when you are pressing on a gas pedal. This technique helps your calf muscles pump blood through the veins.

Important Tips For Exercising

• Walking, swimming and bicycling are excellent choices since
   these exercises work the calf muscles
• Your doctor may recommend an exercise program that
   is right for you.
   If you have not exercised in a while, start slowly
   and build up to 30 minutes most days of the week
• If you sit most of the day, get up and walk every hour or so.
   Move your legs and change position when you can.

Elevating Your Legs
Elevating your legs lets gravity help blood flow back to the heart. Try and raise your feet a few inches above your heart, 2-3 times a day for about 15 minutes if possible.

Change Your Lifestyle
Changing your lifestyle might help relieve your symptoms!

If you are overweight, consider losing weight and this will help relieve some of your symptoms. Cut back on sodium which makes you retain water. Use salt minimally when cooking and don’t add additional salt to your prepared food. Try to walk more and if you sit for long periods of time, try and get up and move every hour. When flying, move your feet and ankles to work your calf muscles. Wear your compression stocking as instructed by your doctor.

Ron Bush, MD, FACS
Peggy Bush, APN, CNS, MSN


Vein Treatment Centers Find a Vein Physician: Zip Code: Distance: Choose Your State: AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA DC WV WI WY International Physicians Who Are We? Patient Benefits PHYSICIANS Member Benefits Become A Member Member Account Access Member Logo Renew Membership Venous Equipment Vein Journal Case Studies Videos Venous Blog Calendar Member Library Employment Opportunities Bahamas Getaway Website Design Social Media Marketing Contact Us	Care For Your Legs and Problem Veins Taking care of your legs can help reduce the symptoms of problem veins. Compression Stockings Compression stockings fit snug around your legs which helps move blood upward thus preventing pooling in the veins in your legs. Stockings come in different degrees of pressures and your doctor will prescribe compression stockings that are appropriate for you. Stockings also come in different styles, lengths, colors, and sizes. You may be able to purchase stockings at your doctors office, medical supply store, pharmacy, or even online. Important Tips For Wearing Compression Stockings • Have your doctor recommend the right compression stocking and wear them as instructed • Wear them correctly by pulling them to the recommended height and no further • Do not let them bunch up since this can confine your circulation • Buy new stockings when they start to become loose, which is around 4 to 6 months • Do not sleep in them unless recommended by your doctor • Ask the nurse for helpful hints if you have difficulty putting them on Importance of Exercising Exercising your calf muscles even while sitting down helps move blood upward towards the heart. Remember when flying to move your feet up and down like when you are pressing on a gas pedal. This technique helps your calf muscles pump blood through the veins. Important Tips For Exercising • Walking, swimming and bicycling are excellent choices since these exercises work the calf muscles • Your doctor may recommend an exercise program that is right for you. If you have not exercised in a while, start slowly and build up to 30 minutes most days of the week • If you sit most of the day, get up and walk every hour or so. Move your legs and change position when you can. Elevating Your Legs Elevating your legs lets gravity help blood flow back to the heart. Try and raise your feet a few inches above your heart, 2-3 times a day for about 15 minutes if possible. Change Your Lifestyle Changing your lifestyle might help relieve your symptoms! If you are overweight, consider losing weight and this will help relieve some of your symptoms. Cut back on sodium which makes you retain water. Use salt minimally when cooking and don’t add additional salt to your prepared food. Try to walk more and if you sit for long periods of time, try and get up and move every hour. When flying, move your feet and ankles to work your calf muscles. Wear your compression stocking as instructed by your doctor. Ron Bush, MD, FACS Peggy Bush, APN, CNS, MSN	Vein Patient Resources Homepage Ask Dr. Bush Vein-FAQ’s How Do Veins Work? What Is Venous Disease? What Are Varicose Veins? Varicose Vein Treatment What Are Spider Veins? Spider Vein Treatment Venous Ulcers Phlebitis & Superficial Phlebitis Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis Aesthetics Anticoagulation Therapy Bleeding/Hemorrhage Associated with Venous Disease Caring For Your Legs and Problem Veins Facial Veins Latisse Leg Swelling Veins in Pregnancy Veins in Other Locations Vulvar Varicosities/Varices Venous Words Simplified Obagi Skin Care Products Did you know? One person is diagnosed with a blood clot every minute. One person dies from a blood clot every six minutes. Visit clotconnect.org to read more.
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