The Right Shoes for Varicose Veins
By Ron E Lev MD – Follow me on Google+
Whether you are looking for ways to prevent varicose veins from forming, or ways to alleviate the painful symptoms associated with varicose veins that have already developed, begin with a closer look at your feet. The shoes you wear can make a difference in your body’s ability to pump blood from the lower extremities back up to the heart. By choosing your footwear wisely, you can make a difference in the prevention and progression of varicose veins.
How Shoes Impact Vein Health
Shoes can make a significant impact on your vascular health overall. Studies have shown that shoes with high heels can impede muscle pump function and raise venous pressure in the lower legs. This can be a factor in the development of venous disease and the appearance of varicose veins.
Shoes that do not provide the proper fit can pose a host of issues, including pain, blisters and bunions. Ill-fitting footwear can also impact vein health, since the problems that develop in the feet and lower legs can affect how efficiently blood pumps through those extremities. This may be why many workers who must wear safety footwear on the job develop some type of vascular condition over time. These shoes often don’t provide a precise fit, which can result in conditions of the foot and leg.
The Shoe Choice
The best type of shoes for varicose veins is one with a low heel and plenty of support inside. Shoes that lack support can be fitted with orthotic insoles to offer the right fit and support throughout a day of wear. Low-heeled shoes have been shown to effectively tone calf muscles, which can promote better blood flow in the lower legs. When blood pumps up the legs to the heart more efficiently, venous disease and the formation of varicose veins can sometimes be avoided.
Some physicians also recommend shoes specifically designed to tone and strengthen calf muscles. These shoes are available through a number of retailers and come in a wide range of styles. Other doctors believe that wearing a very low heel, one to one-and-one-half inches, can produce a similar effect on the calf muscles.
While the right shoes can go far in preventing varicose veins or in alleviating the painful symptoms of veins that have already formed, there is no sure way to keep these veins away completely. If you are concerned about varicose veins or other symptoms of venous disease, contact our office at Advanced Varicose Vein Treatments of Manhattan for more information or a free consultation.
