Conservative Treatment: Do Compression Socks Really Help?

Just about all medical providers will try to treat a medical problem with the minimum therapy needed to treat it. The insurance industry also prefers conservative measures rather than aggressive treatment such as surgery. Their reasons differ and are mainly based on the fact that conservative therapy is less expensive. From a medical point of view, it is optimal for the patient when a problem can be resolved using 'low risk' measures. This is no different in the case of varicose veins.

Conservative treatment for varicose veins consists of four main recommendations. These include: 1. Elevating the legs regularly 2. Exercising to maintain muscle tone 3. Compression socks 4. Anti-inflammatory.

Elevating the legs does increase the ability of the veins to move blood toward the heart. This helps to relieve the pressure that tends to build up in the veins. Unfortunately when the legs are put down, the problem of backward blood flow returns. Exercise also promotes good blood flow by adding support to the vein walls. This simply is not adequate on its own to resolve varicose veins. Compression socks are the most helpful conservative therapy of all. These give excellent support to the weakened vein walls and consequently relieve the symptoms associated with the stretching of the vein wall. This is only true while they are on the person's legs and compression sock are uncomfortable and hot to wear. Anti-inflammatories relieve the aching, burning, itching symptoms associated with distended veins; however, they last only 4-6 hours. They also can have detrimental side effects such as stomach irritation.

All in all conservative therapy can be helpful in reducing the symptoms associated with varicose veins. It will also help to prevent additional varicosities from forming. However, it will not eliminate the distended, twisted, incompetent veins that already exist. Ultimately more aggressive therapy will be necessary to remove the varicose veins.

Unfortunately most insurance companies are still insisting on a 'trial period' of conservative therapy before they will consider authorizing the newer treatments that are available. Therefore if you are considering having your veins treated it is a good idea to start wearing compression socks, trying some ibuprofen (Advil), elevating your legs, and walking several days a week well before you plan to visit your Doctor.

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