How to Relieve Varicose Vein Pain

Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Updated: March 29, 2019

Varicose veins can be painful, so you obviously want to deal with the problem. To treat the pain, you can use over-the-counter pain medications. However, the main treatment is getting rid of them, so you don't have the pain in the first place. You can adjust how you stand and sit, lose weight if needed, and exercise regularly. If those things don't work, your doctor will likely recommend a surgical removal of varicose veins.

Method 1 of 3:
Changing What You Wear

  1. 1
    Wear compression stockings. You can find compression stockings at most medical stores and pharmacies. They squeeze your legs, helping increase the blood flow. In turn, that helps relieve varicose veins over time, which cuts down on the pain.[1]
    • Talk to your doctor before using compression stockings. They'll give you a blood circulation test to make sure you're a good candidate for this treatment.[2]
  2. 2
    Skip high heels. Low heels actually work your calf muscles more than high heels. When your muscles are more toned, blood moves through your veins better. In turn, that can help reduce your varicose veins over time.[3]
  3. 3
    Choose looser-fitting clothing. Tight-fitting clothing, particularly if it's around your middle or legs, can decrease blood flow to and from the legs. Stick to looser-fitting clothing to make life easier on yourself and reduce your varicose veins.[4]
    • Tight-fitting clothing decreases blood flow because it cuts off blood in one area; for instance, a tight-fitting waistband can decrease blood flow to your legs. However, compression stockings are good because they apply heavier, more equalized pressure starting at your ankles up through your knees and thighs. That pressure pulls in your extended veins, which means blood can flow more easily and quickly through your veins.

Method 2 of 3:
Making Lifestyle Changes

  1. 1
    Move around instead of sitting or standing still for long stretches. Standing up for too long can make varicose veins worse, as your body is having to work against gravity to get blood back to your heart. Similarly, if you sit too long, your blood has a chance to pool in your legs, leading to varicose veins. Make sure you move around from time to time to get your blood pumping.[5]
    • When you do sit, put your feet up. When you elevate your feet, your veins don't have to work as hard to get blood back to your heart because they aren't working against gravity. When you can, try to get your feet above your heart when you're sitting.[6]
    • Also, don't cross your legs when you sit down.[7]
  2. 2
    Exercise to get your blood pumping. Doing cardiovascular exercise gets the blood moving through your body. In turn, that can help reduce varicose veins. Walking, running, bicycling, and swimming are all great options.[8]
    • Strength training is also beneficial.
    • Elevate your legs when you're resting between exercises.
  3. 3
    Lose weight if needed. Being overweight can make varicose veins worse, but losing weight can relieve some of that pressure. Eat well, exercise, and drink plenty of water to lose weight in a healthy manner.[9]
    • Opt for lean proteins and dairy, and get more fruits, veggies, and whole grains in your diet. Try keeping a food journal to check up on how much you're eating.
  4. 4
    Eat your way to better veins. Fiber is good for veins, so try foods like whole grains and beans. Also, the bioflavonoids in things like dark, leafy greens, onions, garlic, and dark berries help with vein health.
  5. 5
    Consider taking vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and rutin. These supplements support good vein health. Rutin is a bioflavonoid, and it can be found in most health food stores.
  6. 6
    Talk to your doctor about an herbal supplement. Some people have good luck with herbal supplements helping varicose veins. For instance, horse chestnut, butcher's broom, grape (leaves, seed, fruit, and sap), and sweet clover may provide relief. However, these supplements can interfere with other medications, so it's a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting one.[10]

Method 3 of 3:
Trying Surgical Interventions

  1. 1
    Consider endothermal ablation. Typically, this is the first surgical option when it comes to varicose veins. With this treatment, the doctor will seal off veins using lasers or radio waves.[11]
    • Both laser and radio wave treatments involve inserting a catheter into the vein and sealing it off. The body will naturally redirect blood away from these veins. You'll be given some form of anesthesia to reduce the pain.
    • Radio wave treatment may cause you to feel pins and needles for a bit after the treatment is done. Laser therapy may cause some bruising. It can also damage nerves, but the effect is usually temporary.
  2. 2
    Ask about sclerotherapy or foam sclerotherapy. With these procedures, a solution is injected into your vein that blocks it off. In the case of sclerotherapy, the solution essentially collapses the veins with scars. With foam sclerotherapy, foam is injected that fills the vein and blocks it off. The body will reroute blood from these veins.[12]
    • This procedure is relatively low-risk, and it can be done in your doctor's office.
    • Foam sclerotherapy is still relatively new. It does reduce varicose veins, but they may come back over time.[13]
  3. 3
    Discuss vein stripping. With this option, the vein is actually removed from your body with surgery. The doctor ties the vein off and then makes a few small incisions. They pull the vein out, and your body reroutes blood around it.
    • Vein stripping is usually safe, though rarely it can lead nerve damage or deep vein thrombosis, which is the development of a blood clot in the vein.[14]
    • Some smaller veins are sometimes removed without tying them off, and this procedure is less invasive.
  4. 4
    Consider endoscopic vein surgery. With this surgery, the doctor inserts a small tube with a camera on it into your veins. They use a small device on the end of the tube to either block off the vein or remove it completely.[15]
    • This surgery is an outpatient surgery. Typically, you'll only experience some bleeding and bruising with this procedure.

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      About This Article

      Master's Degree, Nursing, University of Tennessee Knoxville
      2 votes - 100%
      Co-authors: 6
      Updated: March 29, 2019
      Views: 8,472
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 8,472 times.

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