8 Effective Asanas To Treat Varicose Veins
Manage the discomfort of those protruding veins with the power of yoga.
Sri Yogi Anand has 24 years of experience in the practical and philosophical aspects of yoga and spirituality. He has been teaching yoga and spirituality through his institution, Adwait Yoga School. He integrates scientific and medical approaches with yoga therapy to help in cases of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and disorders and orthopedic and lifestyle disorders.
Read full bio of Sri Yogi Anand
Experience: 3 yearsShirin is a health and wellness writer with three years of experience and specializes in writing articles on yoga and has extensive knowledge about the postures of the asanas. Prior to joining Stylecraze, she interned with an advertising firm as a copywriter and as an editorial intern for a luxury fashion magazine.
Read full bio of Shirin Mehdi
Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Experience: 2 yearsMoksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.
Read full bio of Moksha Gandhi
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If unsightly spidery and swollen veins (varicose veins) are starting to appear on your limbs, it is a cause for concern. Is there a solution? Yes, all you have to do is perform certain yoga poses to treat varicose veins and promote wellness. In this article, we discuss what varicose veins are, their health implications, and the 8 best yoga poses that help treat this condition and boost holistic healing. Keep reading to know more!
In This Article
What Are Varicose Veins?
Can yoga cure varicose veins? For starters, yoga can alleviate the pain caused by the pressure. When you suffer from varicose veins, the recommended poses are usually leg elevation poses which also help improve flexibility. This helps the accumulated lymph and blood to drain into the heart. Also, the pressure is eased. The relaxation that yoga imparts prevents the worsening of the condition, while providing stress relief and aiding fitness. Overall, your condition is improved, and the limb movement is enhanced.
Yoga For Varicose Veins – How Does It Help
Can yoga cure varicose veins? For starters, yoga can alleviate the pain caused by the pressure. When you suffer from varicose veins, the recommended poses are usually leg elevation poses. This helps the accumulated lymph and blood to drain into the heart. Also, the pressure is eased. The relaxation that yoga imparts prevents worsening of the condition. Overall, your condition is improved, and the limb movement is enhanced.
8 Yoga Poses That Help With Varicose Veins
- Tadasana
- Uttanasana
- Navasana
- Viparita Karani
- Sarvangasana
- Matsyasana
- Pawanmuktasana
- Balasana
1. Tadasana
Also Known As – Mountain Pose
Benefits – This is one of the most basic yoga asanas, and it helps you achieve the right body alignment. As you practice it, it keeps your legs toned. It also strengthens the knees, thighs, and ankles. While all your muscles work rigorously to maintain the posture, the stress in your limbs is released, thereby alleviating the pressure.
How To Do It – Stand erect, placing your feet slightly apart. Allow your hands to hang alongside your body. Firm your thigh muscles, but do not harden the lower part of the abdomen. Strengthen the inner arches of the ankles, and feel the energy pass from your feet, coming up all the way to your head. Look up and breathe. Feel the stretch in your body as you hold the pose for a few seconds and then release.
To know more about this asana, click here: Tadasana
2. Uttanasana
Also Known As – Padahastasana, Hasta Padasana, Standing Forward Bend
Benefits – This asana enhances the circulation of blood throughout the body. It gives your legs a good stretch, especially the thighs and calves, which are the likely spots of varicose veins. The regular practice of this asana reduces the pain in the legs. As it promotes blood circulation to the face and neck area, it is also considered a beneficial yoga asana for skin problems.
How To Do It – Stand straight and place your hands on your hips. Inhale. Then, bend your hip as you exhale. Your hands must be placed on the floor beside your feet. The feet must be parallel to each other. Push your torso forward as you extend the stretch and lift the tailbone. Hold for a few seconds and release.
To know more about this asana, click here: Uttanasana
3. Navasana
Also Known As – Naukasana, Boat Pose
Benefits – When you practice this asana, your legs are elevated. Hence, the pools of blood and lymph flow upwards. The pressure on the veins is instantly reduced. The few seconds of suspension build strength and allow you to fight the pain. This is also a great yoga for the hips and thighs, effective in toning and strengthening the glutes and quadriceps.
How To Do It – Sit in Dandasana. Then, lift your legs off the ground. When you manage to balance, lift your hands off the floor, and stretch them out in front of you. Work towards creating a ‘V’ with your upper and lower body. Breathe long and deep. Release.
4. Viparita Karani
Also Known As – Legs Up The Wall
Benefit – This asana is extremely relaxing for your legs. Fatigued legs benefit a lot from it. It enhances blood circulation and flushes out toxins and other products. The stress in the legs is released, and pressure is reduced. This greatly helps the cause of varicose veins.
How To Do It – Sit across a wall and gently raise your legs up the wall. Lie down and stretch out your arms to the sides, making sure your palms are facing upwards. Once you are comfortable, close your eyes and breathe. Release after a few minutes.
To know more about this asana, click here: Viparita Karani
Quick Tip5. Sarvangasana
Also Known As – Supported Shoulder Stand
Benefits – The Shoulder Stand is a full body inversion, where your body works against gravity. The blood circulation in the body is enhanced, and the pools of lymph and blood drain into the heart. This asana is also very relaxing for the legs. All in all, it works extremely well in defense against varicose veins.
How To Do It – Lie down in the Shavasana. Lift your legs up as you support your hips with your palms. Shift the body weight on the shoulders, and lift your upper body too as your head and upper back remain on the floor. Hold for a few seconds and release.
To know more about this asana, click here: Sarvangasana
6. Matsyasana
Also Known As – Fish Pose
Benefits – The Matsyasana is one of the best yoga poses for varicose veins treatment. It works on many systems collectively. It stretches your feet and legs and relieves stress and cramps. Your legs are relaxed, and the blood flow throughout the body is regulated.
How To Do It – Lie on your back, and cross your legs in the Padmasana. You could also keep your legs stretched out while practicing this pose. Gently curve your back such that your head rests on your crown. Feel the curve in the upper back and neck. Hold for a few seconds and release.
Quick Tip7. Pawanmuktasana
Also Known As – Wind Relieving Pose
Benefits – This asana moves around the stagnant lymph and venous blood. It also relieves cramps and fatigue from the legs. It helps loosen the muscles and joints in the hips and knees. This asana is said to prevent venous thrombosis in those who have sedentary lifestyles.
How To Do It – Lie flat on the floor with your back on the ground. Fold your knees and hug them. Lift your head off the floor, and bring your nose in between your knees. Hold the pose for a few seconds as you breathe deeply, and then release.
To know more about this asana, click here: Pawanmuktasana
8. Balasana
Also Known As – Child Pose
Benefits – Balasana is a gentle inversion pose where the body is folded forward into a fetal position with the head positioned lower than the heart. This may help relax the nerves and improve blood circulation, reducing the blood accumulation in the legs and easing varicose veins. Since it helps relax the nervous system, it is also one of the most popular yoga asanas to treat vertigo.
How To Do It – Kneel on the yoga mat and keep your knees hip-width apart. The big toes should touch each other. Now, sit back on your heels, inhale, and bend forward. Extend your hands on the floor and slowly bring your chest to your knees. Hold the pose for as long as you can. Then, gently bring your hands back, place them in front of your knees, slowly lift your torso up, and sit back on your heels.
Infographic: Yoga Asanas For Varicose Veins
It requires patience and consistency to reap the benefits of yogic asanas. Until you try it for yourself, you wouldn’t know how yoga can provide relief from varicose veins. Besides that, a regular hour-long session can help relieve several physical ailments as well as mental distress. The infographic below summarizes some beneficial yoga poses. Take a look! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Varicose veins are common among women, especially those with obesity, pregnancy, hormonal imbalances, etc. Fortunately, the above-discussed yoga poses to treat varicose veins are highly effective. They help improve blood circulation throughout the body, activate calves and thighs where this condition is commonly spotted, direct stagnant lymph and blood towards the upper body to release pressure and tension the legs. If you have planned to go for surgery for varicose veins, take a step back and give it a shot at these asanas. There are other alternative medicines and natural remedies available to treat varicose veins, but yoga is an effective therapy that not only promotes overall wellness and mindfulness, but it also helps treat many ailments. Be persistent in your efforts, and you will soon see this condition improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are squats good for varicose veins?
No. Strenuous exercises like squats may only worsen the condition of your varicose veins.
How long does it take for varicose veins to disappear?
It may take 3 to 4 months for varicose veins to disappear.
Is cardio good for varicose veins?
Regular, low-impact cardio may reduce the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins.
Is walking on a treadmill good for varicose veins?
Yes. Walking on a treadmill is a low-impact workout and may decrease the pressure on your varicose veins.
Key Takeaways
- Uttanasana helps increase blood circulation in the body and affected area of varicose veins, thereby reducing its appearance and relieving pain.
- Viparita Karani helps relax tired legs and remove toxins from the body.
- Matsyasana can help reduce leg cramps, while also increasing blood circulation in the body.
- Pawanmuktasana aids in improving lymph flow throughout the body and relieves leg fatigue.
Click on the video below and learn how to prevent and cure varicose veins with daily practice of yoga. Get useful tips and tricks with the help of the video, and always stay healthy and fit!
Read full bio of Sri Yogi Anand
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