Spider veins are jumbled collections of capillary veins that appear below the skin's surface in formations that mimic the appearance of spider webs. Spider veins are less severe versions of varicose veins and are not associated with major medical complications. Generally, they appear blueish-purple and are found mostly on the lower body but sometimes appear on the face. Exercise cannot cure spider veins but it can help you prevent the formation of these unsightly problems.
Causes
Spider veins, formally known as telangiectasia, are indicative of venous reflux. Venous reflux occurs when your blood vessel valves fail to work properly and instead of being forced to flow toward the heart, blood re-fluxes back and collects in the veins which causes the veins to become enlarged. Major risk factors for developing spider veins include obesity, standing for long periods, taking oral contraceptives, aging, heredity, smoking and the use of any medication that negatively affects blood circulation.
Benefits of Exercise
Because heredity plays a role, you might not be able to avoid the formation of all spider veins through exercise. However, exercise decreases your risk for developing spider veins by promoting healthy blood circulation. Exercise also helps you achieve and maintain a healthful body weight. Yoga exercises such as shoulder stand, head stand and legs up the wall reverse normal blood flow and make it easier for blood to flow back to your heart. Elevating your legs after a walk or run is also beneficial for inverting blood flow.
Alternative Treatments
In addition to exercise for the prevention of spider veins, other methods can help you conceal spider veins. Because spider veins are not considered a health hazard, most techniques are minimally invasive. Sclerotherapy is a procedure performed by plastic surgeons in which a substance is injected into the visible spider veins causing them to collapse. This procedure typically requires multiple treatments in order to achieve your desired results. Laser therapy is another procedure used to shrink the appearance of smaller spider veins. This procedure also requires more than one treatment.
Precautions
If you are new to exercise, it is important to receive clearance from your physician before beginning a exercise program. You will also want to have your doctor examine your spider veins to ensure that they are not indicative of a more extensive problem. Always start slowly and work your way to greater intensity as you improve your fitness. If practicing yoga for the first time, seek instruction from an experienced and certified instructor.
