Venous insufficiency: the best cures to lighten your legs

Published on 10/12/2024 22:29

Nocturnal cramps, tingling, heavy legs, edema, varicosities, varicose veins ... These conditions, caused by a bad venous return, must be treated before they degenerate. Focus on the different ways to soothe these often painful conditions, including at home.

Night cramps, tingling, heavy legs , edema, spider veins , varicose veins ... Twenty-two million French people, two-thirds of them women, suffer from these venous insufficiencies.

As a reminder, the veins are the vessels that "bring back" the blood from the organs to the heart (while the arteries convey the oxygenated blood from the heart to the organs and tissues). However, malfunction of the valves at calf level blocks the venous return and causes painful stasis in the lower limbs.

Fortunately, circulatory disorders can be relieved by treatments in spas, thalassotherapy, but also by simple gestures to integrate into his daily life.

New legs thanks to the thermal course

"The Aqua Vena Temporis study, conducted in 2014 with 420 patients, revealed that after 18 days of treatment the pain had decreased by 52.10%, the benefits had lasted for 6 months and the medication had been reduced. ", says Nathalie Raffort, director of medical development at the Baths of Balaruc-les-Bains. "Positive results due to our water rich in mineral salts (11g / liter) and trace elements," says Dr. Hugues Desfour.

Located on the edge of the Thau Basin, the establishment offers the "Cure Phlebology" with four to six daily care (72 treatments in 18 days, duration recognized by the CPAM): 100m walkway with inclinations and counter-current, shower spraying, massaging bath alternating hot / cold, leg hydrojets on a submerged seat, soft massage affusion performed by a physiotherapist and application of cold compresses. Programmed by the doctor according to the ills which one suffers, these cares stimulate the venous return, have a double action of vasoconstriction and vasodilatation, soften the cutaneous tissues and prevent the venous dilatation.

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In case of pathology lighter, we opt for the "Cure Intensive Light Legs" of 6 days (not agreed).

During workshops and conferences, a physiotherapist explains the five stages of the disease, endovenous techniques, phlebotonics, prevention and the ritual for a better everyday life. Grouped under the name "Health you well", other practitioners can intervene.

Aude, the dietician, provides valuable advice on foods that help fight against venous insufficiency. Nathalie, the reflexologist , identifies pain points, stimulates reflex zones and performs a knee ankle massage.

Relieving heavy legs in thalassotherapy

Minor circulatory disorders can also be soothed at the nearby O'Balia Thermal Spa. The "Infinite Freshness" protocol for heavy legs with massage, then application of cryo strips based on camphor and menthol, promotes microcirculation. Seawater is also sovereign to improve the elasticity of capillaries and venous walls, while reducing pain and edema.

For example, at the Thalasso Royal Barrière in La Baule, the six-day treatment includes multi-jet baths, venous drainages in balneotherapy and pool activities. The program also includes manual lymphatic drainage , pressotherapy (alternating pressure and decompression in anti-gravity boots) and cold-Thalgo (cold strips soaked in seaweed-camphor-menthol gel). Objectives: to improve circulatory problems and to relieve heavy legs.

Venous insufficiency: the right things to do at home

At home, we follow the recommendations of Christian Morant, a physiotherapist at the Balaruc Baths, to save his venous capital:

Sleep high feet (6cm wedges at the foot of the bed).
Finish your shower with a jet of cold water from your feet to your knees.
Forget the heels more than 4cm.
Avoid prolonged static position (standing or sitting).
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
Focus on brisk walking , swimming, cycling and eliminating tennis.
Escape from sunbathing, sauna and waxing hot .
Choose natural phlebotonics such as horse chestnut or red vine.
By plane, wear class 2 compression socks.

We can also use the leg set "Field of Flowers", based on the principle of acupressure. It consists of two pieces of linen (one from the ankle to the knee, the other for the thigh), each equipped with a hundred stimulators ecoplastic shaped lotus flower, whose 25 petals end in a peak . Wrapped around the leg, these fabrics are maintained by adjustable scratches to regulate the intensity of the pressure at will.

Results: the nerve endings are stimulated, circulation calves dynamized and muscular tensions soothed, gradually triggering the secretion of endorphins . During sessions of 30 minutes, one to five times a week, the skin gets used to pimples. A thin cloth can be used to support the uncomfortable contact of the first days.

Practical information

Cure "Phlebology": 72 treatments in 18 days (duration recognized by the CPAM) from 472,80 €

Intensive Cure "Light Legs": 36 treatments in 6 days - 490 €
Contacts: 04 67 43 17 57 - [email protected]

"Light Legs" treatment at the O'balia thermal spa: 50mn - 65 €.
Contacts: 04 67 18 52 05 - www.obalia.fr

Cure "Light Legs": 26 treatments in 6 days: € 930 (excluding accommodation). From 1974 € per person half board.
Contacts: 02 40 11 48 88 - www.thalassoleroyal-labaule.com

Set of Legs "Field of Flowers" 99 €
Contact: www.lesmauxdudos.com

Find a professional near you: www.sf-phlebologie.org (French Society of Phlebology)