Venous disorders have been bothering humanity for centuries, but the typical Western lifestyle has made the problem grow out of its usual proportions. The constant sitting or standing instead of moving around, together with lack of exercise and diet high in salt and sugar is making it unbearable for our veins to function properly. According to statistics, 50% of Americans are now affected by chronic conditions such as varicose veins and venous insufficiency. These conditions can only be an aesthetic concern at first, but with time they can also develop into severe problems, such as deep vein thrombosis or leg ulcers.

On top unhealthy diet, various other risk factors are responsible for the development of varicose veins, including heredity, gender, pregnancies, birth control pill, etc. All of these have one common denominator – poorly functioning or non-functioning vein valves. With damaged valves, the heart has trouble pumping blood properly against gravity, blood flow becomes compromised and in the end, blood starts pooling around ankles and in calves, resulting in swollen ankles, pain and leg cramps.

Very mild cases of venous insufficiency and varicose veins can be soothed by hydrotherapy. In general, the point of hydrotherapy lies in the effects water temperature and pressure have on muscles in the body. This is an old method that was used centuries ago by the old Romans, Greeks and Egyptians. So how can hydrotherapy help venous disorders?

First of all, it must be clear that hydrotherapy can’t treat or cure varicose veins – it can only help manage the symptoms. A common varicose vein hydrotherapy involves putting gentle pressure of water to help blood move through veins, as well as changing the water temperature from hot to cold quickly which also improves blood circulation and takes pressure off of swollen veins. If this isn’t working, you can also try cold water only – hot temperatures make veins dilate and it’s harder for vein valves to function properly. Cool temperatures, on the other hand, have a shrinking effect – it will be easier for your vein valves to circulate blood properly and any kind of swelling will be reduced.

Hydrotherapy seems like an easy and inexpensive solution to venous problems, but keep in mind that it can only help with mild symptoms, such as swelling and heaviness in your legs. In any case, you should have your legs thoroughly examined by a medical professional and consider medical treatment in more serious cases.