Is it safe to get a massage when you have vein issues?

Physiotherapist giving knee therapy to a womanThere are few things better than a massage. Just imagining the dim lights, the soft music, the warm sheets, and the smell of oil can help reduce your stress. If you’ve ever had a good massage, you know that once it’s over, your whole body feels like Jell-o. Everything tight is loose and free, and all the stress and tension are gone.

You might wonder if massage therapy can help if you have vein problems like varicose or spider veins. There are a few benefits of massage therapy for people with vein issues.

  • It can help reduce pain and stuffiness. Massage therapy can not get rid of vein health issues. Only vein treatment can do that. But some of the accompanying issues like swelling, leg and joint pain can benefit from regular massage therapy.
  • It can help reduce stress. Stress is bad for your vein health. Constant stress puts extra pressure on your veins and can exacerbate vein problems. Regular self-care and activities that reduce stress like massage therapy are a great way to lower your blood pressure and improve your vein health.

Massage therapy can be a powerful tool for helping relieve some of the symptoms of vein problems like varicose and spider veins, but it should not be considered a treatment. In some cases, massage therapy can be dangerous. Here are a few things to watch out for if you are undergoing massage therapy and have vein problems.

  • Stay away from deep tissue massage. Spider veins are very delicate to touch and can burst, or the vein can be further damaged from deep tissue massage techniques. In some severe cases, blood clots can be released back into the bloodstream from deep tissue massage.
  • Make sure you work with a therapist who is trained to work around vein problems. Be wary of any therapist who claims that massage therapy can cure vein issues. It can’t. A trained massage therapist should know to avoid or only lightly touch the area around varicose or spider veins to avoid causing further damage.

If you are considering massage therapy for help with your vein health symptoms, make sure to make an appointment with our doctors first. Massage therapy can be beneficial for your overall health and help with some of the symptoms of vein problems, but it isn’t a cure. The only thing that can do that is treatment from vein specialists, like our doctors.

Call us today to book your consultation, and we’ll see what we can do to provide some relief for your vein issues.