Blood gets pumped from the heart to all parts of the body by way of arteries. When blood returns to the heart, there are little flaps on the veins that allow blood out and then close to prevent it from coming back in. Varicose veins develop when these flaps become faulty and blood pools up, making these veins obvious to the eye and sore to the touch. They most often occur in the legs, and there are several ways to unclog them.
Step 1
Wear special socks, called "compression stockings," on your legs. These have a tight fit and help promote the flow of blood back to the heart.
Step 2
Raise your legs. If you are seated or lying down for long periods of time, elevate your legs above the level of your heart. This helps unclog the blood that has pooled up.
Step 3
Get some exercise. Movement is very important for varicose veins. Any exercise that involves leg movement in particular can not only improve the cardiovascular system, but it can also promote better circulation in the legs. Some examples are swimming, biking and walking. As an added benefit, these activities are non-impact.
Step 4
Make some adjustments. Wear looser-fitting clothes, avoid high heels and do not sit with your legs crossed. All of these can reduce the flow of blood up through your legs.
Step 5
Have a catheter-assisted procedure done. In this procedure, a small tube called a "catheter" is inserted into a clogged vein. Heat is applied, the vein collapses and blood then flows through other veins that are more healthy.
Step 6
Get some veins removed. In the worst cases, large varicose veins can be surgically removed by way of tiny incisions made in the skin. This is called vein stripping and is an out-patient procedure.
