Cryotherapy Reduces Appearance of Varicose and Spider Veins
Varicose Veins…say bye bye!
If you suffer from varicose veins, you may believe the only way to eliminate them is through painful surgery. You’d be wrong. Varicose veins can be extremely painful and leave you embarrassed to wear any clothing that reveals your legs. While only you and your doctor can make the final decision, there are alternatives that are easier and far less painful than undergoing surgery. While some of these alternatives include diet and exercise, there is also a more efficient treatment for varicose veins.
What causes varicose veins?
Genetics do play a role in the development of varicose and spider veins. But it is not the sole cause….
- Age: As you get older, your veins can lose elasticity, causing them to stretch. The valves in your veins may become weak, allowing blood that should be moving toward your heart to flow backward. Blood pools in your veins, and your veins enlarge and become varicose. The veins appear blue because they contain deoxygenated blood, which is in the process of being recirculated through the lungs.
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy increases the volume of blood in your body, but decreases the flow of blood from your legs to your pelvis. This circulatory change is designed to support the growing fetus, but it can produce an unfortunate side effect — enlarged veins in your legs. Varicose veins may surface for the first time or may worsen during late pregnancy, when your uterus exerts greater pressure on the veins in your legs. Changes in your hormones during pregnancy also may play a role. Varicose veins that develop during pregnancy generally improve without medical treatment three to 12 months after delivery.
- Excessive Weight: Weight also contributes to the development of varicose and spider veins–additional weight puts pressure on veins and blood vessels trapping blood and leading to the appearance of these veins.
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time without moving your legs. Blood doesn’t flow as well if you’re in the same position for long periods.
Improve your circulation to prevent or improve varicose veins.
Exercise and weight loss contribute to improving circulation in your legs, which will alleviate varicose veins. Eating foods higher in fiber, omega-3 and co-enzyme Q-10 can also help. Whole body and local cryotherapy have also been shown to improve blood circulation and vein elasticity in the legs. The reason is that cryotherapy causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels and veins–this pushes pooled blood out of veins and blood vessels. When the body warms up, vasodilation occurs and fresh blood flows through these veins and blood vessels–this sequence can actually evacuate the veins and blood vessels of trapped blood that is causing the look of varicose and spider veins. Additionally, the vasoconstriction/vasodilation sequence actually “exercises” your veins creating more elasticity.
You may see a marked improvement in the appearance of varicose veins following cryotherapy. Cryotherapy stimulates circulation, which helps improve their overall appearance. The cold causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels and veins which can evacuate them of trapped blood. You may also see a marked improvement in spider veins. Spider veins are simply small dilated capillaries which are very responsive to the vasoconstriction caused by cryotherapy
Cryotherapy can activate weight loss and corresponding improvement in varicose veins:
Cryotherapy sessions burn between 500 and 800 calories and have been shown to boost the metabolic rate. Losing weight relieves some of the pressure on veins and can help pooled blood to flow more freely through the legs. This may improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins.
Better yet—cryotherapy has been shown to reduce fat deposits and cellulite—so in addition to fewer visible veins, you may lose inches and experience smoother skin!