Here is a picture of some varicose veins that have formed.
Client Question: I developed varicose veins in my 30s and they have gotten worse in my 40s and 50s. Why did they develop and what caused them to get worse?
Answer: Varicose veins develop because of the misuse or lack of use of the legs. (BTW= most problems in the body develop because of lack of use or misuse of the body). Let me explain. In order to survive from one moment to the next the body needs to pump blood through the body. What organs and systems pump blood through the body? The most well known is the heart. However, did you know that the heart is not a strong enough pump to get the blood to the toes and back again? The heart needs help! The secondary system that keeps blood pumping is contracting skeletal muscles. (Some have recently made a good case that the skeletal muscles are supposed to be the primary pump of the body!) Third in line is the venous system. The veins have a series of valves that open and close that push blood through. Valves and pressure allow blood to win over gravity to circulate through the body.
Why do varicose veins develop? They are actually a needed adaptation of the body due to a lack of skeletal muscle contractions and too much pressure. What causes “lack of skeletal muscle contraction”? A sedentary life style. No movement = no muscular contractions. What causes “too much pressure”? Tight muscles cause too much pressure.
Therefore, if a person does not move enough and/ or they have tight muscles they will likely develop varicose veins. In addition, (and this is a deeper subject matter) if a person moves around in life using their fascial and muscular tightness or tight ligaments they will have a diminished muscular pump action when they do move and exercise. This situation can also cause varicose veins. Did you know that people can move around using more joints and ligaments than muscles? Gait experts describe this type of walking pattern as “controlled falling”. The most visible form of this might be seen in an elderly person that shuffles side to side or forward to move around. Proper walking requires activation of the posterior (back side) muscles to propel the body forward. This is a fascinating story but it will have to wait for another day.
As to why varicose veins get worse over time, look at this simple equation:
Sedentary Life Style + Tight Muscles + Poor Movement Patterns + Number of Birthdays
Picture from wiki commons; author jmarchn
Question: I heard that varicose veins are genetically inherited. Is that true?
Answer: Genetics are complicated. The short answer is NO, people are not born destined to get varicose veins. However, the longer answer might be yes. If a person inherits tight muscles, poor movement patterns (which can be adopted by observation of parents), a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition they will likely manifest the same or similar diseases as their parents. Please note that children often inherit non-genetic behavior and patterns from their parents. The two biggest factors that contribute to varicose veins that are genetically passed down would probably be muscle and ligament stiffness as well as vein cell wall durability.
Question: Is it true that surgery is the only way to treat varicose veins?
Answer: Not at all. Effort placed in lifestyle modification is the best way to “fix” varicose veins. I will concede that SEVERE varicose veins probably require surgery. However, if anyone undergoes surgery to remove their varicose veins they will likely return if a person’s lifestyle is not modified. Isn’t that always the case? Surgery does not magically change the root cause of varicose veins (which might be much more biomechanical than people may think).
After reading this blog, I hope that the biomechanical causes of varicose veins has been highlighted. Look for a blog soon about how to “repair” or “fix” varicose veins soon.
Want some help with your mechanics and health? Contact Jason Cornish, Medical Fitness Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Health Coach in Auburn, AL today at 402-521-0314 or email at jason.a.cornish@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: Please consult your doctor before you begin any exercise program. The content of this blog is for educational purposes only. You are responsible for the outcomes for the use, misuse, or lack of use of the information presented in this blog.