Not only are varicose veins unsightly, but they can also be very painful! That tired achy feeling in our legs can sap our energy and keep us from going out and doing all the post-work activities we'd otherwise participate in. Medical surgery to correct varicose veins is expensive and not often covered by insurance. Many of us simply have to live with what our genes have dealt us. But while yoga cannot completely correct varicose veins, it can help minimalize development of new varicose veins and alleviate pain from existing ones. The following are some leg exercises you can to alleviate pain from varicose veins.
Pedaling
Begin lying on the floor, flat on your back. Traditionally your hands would be out to your sides, but if you prefer you can place them beneath your buttocks to prevent strain to the lower back. Lift your legs off the floor, and pedal them as if you were pedaling a bicycle. The more you elevate your legs, the more you will increase blood circulation to your legs. Keeping your legs lower will increase the work on your abdominals, toning your stomach (a not unpleasant side effect of this exercise). Continue this exercise until you feel the blood circulating through your legs and your pain has begun to abate.
Leg Lifts
Unlike leg lifts performed at the gym, which are usually designed to tone your inner or outer thighs, these leg lifts are designed to help ameliorate blood flow through the entire leg. Lie on your back, again placing your hands beneath your buttocks to eliminate lower back strain. Keeping your buttocks pressed down, and your lower back against the floor, lift one leg at a time and hold in an elevated pose perpendicular to the floor. Hold this pose until you feel the blood begin to flow back up from your feet, your calves, and your thighs. Then repeat the motion with your other leg. For ultimate relaxation, lie on the floor with your buttocks almost touching a wall. Rest both your legs in an elevated pose resting against the wall, and feel the circulation in your legs improve. Alternately, you can raise both legs and rotate your ankles to further improve leg circulation.
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