Varicose veins begin as thread-like veins, sometimes referred to as “spider” veins, because of their spindly appearance.  They are common with people that stand for long periods of time, or sit a lot.  Additionally, a nutrient-deficient diet will exacerbate varicose veins due to the nutrients lacking that are needed to create strength and resiliency in the circulatory system.

Katy Bowman, an alignment and movement professional, explains varicose veins perfectly:

"Varicose veins are created when the amount of downward force is greater than the upward force in the blood vessels. This breaks the valves inside the vein. In an optimal situation, the muscles around each vein should contract and relax rhythmically to get the blood back up to the heart and lungs. When muscles are passive, or if they don’t move enough, the valves in the veins have to carry the blood without the muscle’s help by "stair stepping" it up the body, going against gravity, using only the little valve flaps. If you use the flaps (teeny tiny moving parts) instead of your muscles (giant, force-generating parts) these little flaps give out and break.  This causes the blood to bulge and mis-shape the vein from the inside. Relief from the discomfort is commonly found by elevating the legs so the blood flows without having to climb the valves. However, fixing the problem requires that you move your muscles a lot more. Most commonly found in the lower leg, bulging varicose veins come from high pressure caused by muscle tension.  This tension is created from standing long hours, sitting too much, or being in any one position for long periods of time, reducing overall movement.”

At their root, varicose veins are caused from not using the muscles enough.  In pregnancy, the force in the pelvis and legs increases, putting more work on the already overworked valves, which increases the damage.   The root solution is not through vein supplements or salves, though these may help a little.  The solution is through a lot of varied movement, particularly using the muscles more in the area surrounding where the varicose veins are the worst.  And most of this needs to be addressed between pregnancies, not after twenty weeks when the pressure is building.

NUTRITION FOR VARICOSITIES

Foods high in antioxidants, like Vitamins A, C, and E, are important for strengthening the veins’ cell-walls.  These foods include dark leafy greens, citrus fruits, and brightly colored yellow & orange, ripe, vegetables and fruits.

Eating foods that help to balance platelet levels and clotting factors, such as healthy fats from fish, avocados, or nuts as well as spicy seasoning like garlic, onion, or peppers help to create smoothly flowing blood, reduce clots, and make the vein valves not have to work quite so hard.  These, and other salves and supplements, certainly address one of the root causes and are necessary alongside other treatments, but they won’t undo the valve damage by themselves.

MOVEMENT FOR VARICOSITIES

Walk, walk, and walk some more (especially uphill) at least 3 miles, or 3, 20-minute walks, daily.  Walking is one of the best ways to get the muscles working to help blood flow in the legs (plus it’s great for birth prep).

Strength train with weights.  By building muscle, you increase the ability to move blood through your veins.  One simple way of doing this, with no added activity, is buying, or making, sand-weighted hook & loop bands that go around your ankles while you walk or work.  By adding weights to your legs, you will effortlessly build more muscle.

Squat & do pelvic stretches.  Building gluteal strength and flexibility will increase blood flow through your pelvis (make periods and birth less painful) and increase movement in your legs to improve circulation.

Legs up the wall (like in the picture).  Not only can you give your legs a break with this stretch, you also lengthen the muscles and ligaments around your pelvis, which increase mobility for baby’s movements in birth.  Resting your legs on the back of a sofa is OK as an alternative to legs up the wall, but you miss out on the stretch in that position.

Automatic, rechargeable, compression boots (or massage).  Though expensive, these massage boots add movement to your vessels when you’re resting or for long trips.

 

If you're the herbal crafty type, here is a salve you could try for your varicose veins:

VEIN RUB
Makes: 1/2 pint

• ¼ C Arnica Flower (or use arnica-infused oil as your base oil)
• ¼ C Yarrow Leaf & Flower
• 1/4 C White Oak Bark
• ¼ C Butcher’s Broom Root
• 1 tsp. Lavender Essential Oil
• 7 oz. Oil (can be arnica-infused, olive oil, or any combination of oils)
• 2 oz Beeswax, or to desired consistency
• 8 oz Jar with Lid & Pot big enough to sit the jar inside

Pour oil over all herbs.  Let sit in a sunny spot for 4 weeks, shaking daily.  Strain and squeeze through cheese cloth or a French press to get out as much oil from the herbs as possible

Pour a little water in a pot.  Add your strained oil and beeswax to a jar and place it in the pot.  On very low heat, heat up oil just until beeswax melts, careful not to let any of the oil bubble.  Remove from heat and quickly add lavender essential oil, stirring to incorporate.  Loosely top with lid until salve cools and beeswax sets up.  This is best made outside or with the windows open due to the amount of essential oil you’ll be using, which may be irritating to the respiratory system.  Rub over varicose veins 1-2x daily or as needed.