How Is Varicose Veins Treated?

Statistics indicate that approximately 30% of women and at least 10% of men suffer from varicose veins. Varicose veins develop due to congenital weakness of the venous wall or prolonged maintenance of the same posture with minimal movement, leading to blood pooling in the lower limbs. Over time, this accumulation damages the venous valves, resulting in elevated venous pressure and subsequent bulging of veins above the skin surface. So, how are varicose veins treated? The following section addresses this question.

How Are Varicose Veins Treated?

1. Conservative Management

Conservative management is suitable for patients with mild symptoms. It primarily involves reducing daily physical activity—especially heavy manual labor. Patients should wear compression stockings regularly and elevate the affected limb during nighttime rest and sleep to facilitate venous return. Additionally, brisk walking can effectively prevent or improve varicose veins by promoting venous blood flow back to the heart.

2. Acupuncture Therapy

Acupuncture may be used to treat varicose veins. Specifically, acupuncture points along the meridians corresponding to the affected veins are selected for treatment. This approach effectively alleviates swelling, pain, and aching sensations. For prominent varicose veins on the legs, fire needle therapy and bloodletting may also be employed, significantly improving symptoms. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents another common therapeutic modality—typically involving herbal foot soaks, which substantially relieve associated symptoms.

3. Surgical Intervention

Surgical treatment is available for varicose veins. A commonly performed procedure is microscopic nanofilament minimally invasive surgery, characterized by being virtually painless and involving minimal or no tissue trauma. Patients experience little discomfort and recover rapidly. Other standard surgical options include sclerotherapy (injection of a sclerosing agent), endovenous laser ablation, and high ligation of the great saphenous vein. Furthermore, patients are advised to avoid prolonged sitting or standing, as well as late-night activities, to prevent impaired venous circulation and venous compression.

The above outlines various treatment approaches for varicose veins. We hope this information proves helpful to you.