As we age, many of us start to notice dark lines and bulges developing under our skin. They’re not only unsightly; in some cases they’re actually painful. They’re called varicose veins and over 40 million Americans suffer from them. They’re caused by weakened or damaged valves in blood vessels. Weak valves can’t maintain strong circulation. So instead of flowing back to the heart, blood starts to pool in our veins, causing them to become enlarged, twisted, and visible. And while they can occur anywhere, varicose veins are most common in our legs and feet.
Though some people are more likely to experience varicose veins due to family history, most people develop them due to age. Veins don’t have strong, muscular walls like arteries, so they tend to grow weaker as we grow older, allowing blood to flow backwards. Gender also plays a role. Women are more at risk than men, due to stress and hormones connected to pregnancy. There are a few lifestyle factors that contribute as well, such as:
- Obesity. Excess weight hinders blood flow, particularly in the legs and feet.
- Lack of Exercise. Without regular physical activity, the pump action in your leg muscles grows steadily weaker, making it harder for them to assist with blood flow.
- Prolonged Sitting or Standing. Veins rely on muscle contractions to circulate blood back to the heart. Standing or sitting for extended periods without stretching or flexing increases pressure inside your veins, causing them to swell.
- Smoking. Smoking compromises circulation, increases blood pressure, and makes veins stiff. This combination gradually weakens your blood vessels, leading to dilation and inflammation.
Though patients often consider them a cosmetic issue, varicose veins can put you at greater risk for certain health conditions, such as blood clots and ulcers.
Challenges Treating Varicose Veins
Treating varicose veins is difficult, not only because the condition affects an extensive and complex system, but because there are few alternatives to surgery. Compression garments help manage symptoms, but the only way to eliminate the problem is to remove, seal, or collapse the vein. Even though these are normally outpatient procedures performed under local anesthetic, there is always a risk of complications, such as scarring, infection, and nerve damage. What’s more, successful surgeries don’t always eliminate the root of the problem, so the condition may reoccur after the procedure.
Treating Varicose Veins with PEMF
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates cellular tissue with intermittent waves of electromagnetic energy. These waves alter the electrical activity in and around targeted cells. Every part of your body communicates through bioelectric signals. By strengthening them, PEMF can increase blood flow, trigger the release of anti-inflammatory compounds, and aid cellular respiration, the process by which your body breaks down glucose to produce energy. PEMF is an emerging therapy, with the potential to help reduce pain and accelerate healing in patients suffering from a wide range of conditions, including varicose veins.
While research into PEMF is still ongoing, reports from AuraWell patients are promising. Sarah, a 47-year-old woman who had been struggling with varicose veins for eight years, had already developed an extensive “spider-web” formation on her thigh and noticeable bulges behind her knee by the time she came to us. She was also experiencing a throbbing pain in her right calf and knee, which was exacerbated by her work as a cosmologist, which required her to stand for long periods.
After three days of consecutive treatment, the pain in Sarah’s legs had vanished and she was able to exercise longer without any discomfort. The discoloration in her skin centralized and the bulging areas behind her knee subsided significantly. Her skin tone continued to improve over the next three weeks, highlighting the benefits of PEMF as a safe and effective treatment for varicose veins.
Experience Relief with AuraWell
AuraWell energizes the body’s natural healing process by enhancing cellular activity and encouraging the production of growth factors. Regular application of PEMF increases blood flow and reduces inflammation, alleviating varicose veins, their symptoms, and their progression. Our non-invasive approach helps restore the appearance of your skin while reducing discomfort and potential long-term risks of blood clots and ulcers. Learn more by contacting an AuraWell practitioner near you!
