One of the most frequently asked questions we get at the Vein Institute of New Jersey is: “Does exercise have any effect on varicose veins and/or spider veins?” We always tell our patients that the benefits of exercise will outweigh the negatives. Exercise improves arterial circulation and cardiac function, which can only be beneficial for the overall health of the individual. Of course, exercise can’t cure someone of their vein problems, but it can relieve some of the painful symptoms of those vein conditions. Exercise, on a regular basis, not only makes you feel better overall, but it can also help make your legs stronger.

After treatment for spider veins removal, specifically injection sclerotherapy, many of our patients are anxious to return to their exercise routines. Our vascular doctors encourage a return to exercise as soon as the patient feels ready. We give our full backing to getting back on the track or to the gym the very next day. We do recommend wearing compression hose (aka spider vein stockings) for the first week during exercise, though. This cuts down on any leg swelling and keeps the legs feeling more comfortable. Many patients report a good feeling of support they get from the stocking and do not mind wearing them.

If you can’t get to the gym, one easy exercise that helps your circulation is a rotation of the calf muscles and ankles. Simply flexing and extending the ankle joint (as if you were stepping on a gas pedal) will stimulate blood flow out of the leg veins. This can be done from a sitting position anywhere! See our article on How to Protect Your Veins During Travel for some further advice when you have to sit for prolonged periods. Even a brisk walk around the neighborhood will get the blood flowing in your legs and make you feel better!

Treatment for your varicose veins or spider veins removal may serve as a motivator to jumpstart an exercise regimen. Knowing you will have better-looking legs after your vein treatment may be good reason enough to continue with exercise post treatment to help maintain all the good work you put into enhancing your health and beauty.

If you have any concerns about spider veins removal, varicose veins or other vein conditions, reach out to one of our board certified varicose doctors for a consultation. We are here to help!