Integrative Medicine

Venous Insufficiency: EP Functional Health and Wellness Clinic

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Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The veins transport blood back to the heart, and the valves in the veins stop the blood from flowing backward. When the veins have difficulties sending blood from the limbs back to the heart, this is known as venous insufficiency. With this condition, the blood does not flow back properly to the heart, causing blood to accumulate in the veins of the legs. Chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, and functional medicine can increase and improve circulation and help manage symptoms.

Venous Insufficiency

The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the cells in the body. This system consists of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. When blood circulation is restricted, it can lead to a buildup of toxins and waste products, which can cause various health problems, including fatigue, muscle cramps, and dizziness. Unhealthy circulation can also contribute to other health conditions like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The most common causes of venous insufficiency include:

  • Blood clots
  • Varicose veins
  • A family history of venous insufficiency.
  • Deep vein thrombosis.
  • When forward flow through the veins is obstructed, such as in the case of a blood clot, blood builds up below the clot, which can lead to venous insufficiency.
  • In varicose veins, the valves can be missing or damaged, and blood leaks back through the defective valves.
  • In some cases, weakness in the leg muscles that push blood forward can also contribute to venous insufficiency.
  • Venous insufficiency is more common in women than men and is more likely in adults over 50.

Circulation Symptoms

There are different symptoms associated with unhealthy circulation, and can include:

  • Tingling or numbness in the extremities
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Pain or cramping in the muscles
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Erectile dysfunction

Symptoms of venous insufficiency include:

  • Swelling of the legs or ankles – edema
  • Pain that gets worse when standing and improves when raising the legs.
  • Aching, throbbing, or a feeling of heaviness in the legs.
  • A sense of tightness in the calves.
  • Leg cramps
  • Weak legs
  • Itchy legs
  • Thickening of the skin on the legs or ankles.
  • Skin that is changing color, especially around the ankles
  • Varicose veins
  • Leg ulcers

Diagnosis

A doctor will perform a physical examination and take a complete medical history. They may order imaging tests to locate the source of the problem. These tests may include a venogram or a duplex ultrasound.

Venogram

  • A doctor will insert an intravenous contrast dye into the veins.
  • Contrast dye causes the blood vessels to appear opaque on the X-ray image, which helps the doctor see them on the image.
  • This dye will give the doctor a clear image of the blood vessels.

Duplex Ultrasound

  • A duplex ultrasound tests the speed and direction of blood circulation in the veins.
  • A technician will place gel on the skin and press a small hand-held instrument on and around the area.
  • The instrument uses sound waves that bounce back to a computer and produce images of blood circulation.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on various factors, including the reason for the condition and individual health status and history. Other factors a doctor will consider include:

  • Specific symptoms
  • Age
  • The severity of the condition
  • Medication and/or procedure tolerance

The most common treatment is prescription compression stockings.

  • These special stockings apply pressure on the ankle and lower leg.
  • They help improve blood circulation and reduce leg swelling.
  • Compression stockings come in a range of prescription strengths and lengths.

Strategies

Treatments can include several methods.

Improving Circulation

Chiropractic adjustments and vascular massage therapy on the legs can help improve blood circulation. Massage therapies such as vascular and lymphatic drainage massages aim to increase circulation, improve tissue nutrition, and can benefit patients with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.

  • The technique for lymphatic drainage involves light strokes to move lymph fluid into lymph vessels.
  • The technique used to improve circulation involves short strokes to move blood from the valves to the veins.

However, massage therapy is not for all patients with vein diseases and conditions.

  • Massage therapy is not recommended for patients with advanced-stage vein disease, in which large and bulging veins, ulcerations, and discoloration are present.
  • Massaging the area could cause the weakened veins to burst, worsening the condition.
  • Massage therapy is also unsafe for patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), as it could dislodge a clot and cause it to travel.

Medications

Medications may be prescribed. These include:

  • Diuretics – medications that draw extra fluid from the body and are excreted through the kidneys.
  • Anticoagulants – medicines that thin the blood.
  • Pentoxifylline – medicine that helps improve blood circulation.

Surgery

More serious cases may require surgery. A doctor may suggest one of the following surgical procedures:

  • Surgical repair of the veins or valves.
  • Removing the damaged vein.
  • Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery – The surgeon inserts a thin tube with a camera to see and tie off damaged veins.
  • Laser surgery – A treatment that uses laser light to fade or close off damaged veins.
  • Vein bypass – A healthy vein is transplanted from a different body area. Generally used only in the upper thigh and as a last option for severe cases.

Venous Insufficiency: What You Need To Know


References

Annamaraju P, Baradhi KM. Pentoxifylline. [Updated 2022 Sep 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559096/

Chronic venous insufficiency. (n.d.). hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/cardiovascular_diseases/chronic_venous_insufficiency_85,P08250/

Evrard-Bras, M et al. “Drainage lymphatique manuel” [Manual lymphatic drainage]. La Revue du praticien vol. 50,11 (2000): 1199-203.

FIELDS, A. “Leg cramps.” California medicine vol. 92,3 (1960): 204-6.

Felty, Cindy L, and Thom W Rooke. “Compression therapy for chronic venous insufficiency.” Seminars in vascular surgery vol. 18,1 (2005): 36-40. doi:10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2004.12.010

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017). Varicose veins.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicose-veins/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350649

Patel SK, Surowiec SM. Venous Insufficiency. [Updated 2022 Aug 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430975/

Youn, Young Jin, and Juyong Lee. “Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins of the lower extremities.” The Korean journal of internal medicine vol. 34,2 (2019): 269-283. doi:10.3904/kjim.2018.230

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The information herein on "Venous Insufficiency: EP Functional Health and Wellness Clinic" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.

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