Venous stasis is a condition in which blood that is usually carried from the legs toward the heart instead pools and causes swelling, clots and leg ulcers. The condition affects between three and six million people in the United States, according to the American College of Phlebology. Compression stockings, diet, lifestyle changes and specific exercises are the most commonly prescribed treatments.
Exercises
A study for the North American Thrombosis Forum found that, for healthy people, exercising was a better treatment for venous stasis than compression stockings. "The fact that ankle exercise increased blood velocity while sitting, as well as when supine, suggests that ankle exercise may be useful in reducing the prevalence of deep venous thrombosis in travelers," according to the authors of the study, Paul D. Stein, MD and Fadi Matta, MD.
Leg Elevation
Since venous stasis occurs because blood pools in the legs, one of the easiest and most accessible exercises is simply elevating, or raising, your legs. British vein expert Dr. Philip Bull, says raising your legs allows gravity to cause the blood to flow from your legs toward your heart. "While sitting," Bull says, "the legs should be above the thighs. Supine, or lying down, the legs should be above the level of the heart."
Buerger-Allen
Buerger-Allen exercises are designed specifically to help treat venous stasis by improving blood flow in the legs. According to instructions from chiropractor, L.Ted Frigard, while lying on your back, elevate your legs on a support --- a chair or the bed will suffice --- for 30 seconds to three minutes, or until your legs turn white. While doing that, flex your foot down and up. Then, sitting on your bed or in a chair, let your feet hang above the floor for two to five minutes, or until your legs turn red. When they are red, add one more minute. Dr. Frigard recommends not doing this for more than five minutes. After the previous exercise, lie flat with your legs horizontal for between three and five minutes.
Recommendations and Repetition
Dr. Frigard recommends doing six or seven repetitions of these three exercises, in order, and repeating them three or four times a day. No special equipment is required and the exercises can easily be completed at home.
References
- National Center for Vein Disorders: What Are Venous Stasis Ulcers and How Are Venous Stasis Ulcers Treated?; Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
- Foot Specialists of Acadiana: Vascular/Nerve Problems - Venous Stasis; 2011
- The Vein Directory: Treatment of Venous Stasis Ulcers; 2011
- North American Thrombosis Forum: Ankle Exercise Increases Venous Blood Velocity, Compression Stockings Have No Effect Paul D. Stein, M.D & Fadi Matta, MD; August 2010
- The Harley Street Vein Clinic: VENOUS STASIS ULCER TREATMENT; Dr. John Bull
- Dynamic Chiropractic: Intermittent Claudication; L. Ted Frigard, DC, PhC; 2011
