When it’s hot, some people have heavy legs that become painful. Natural treatments and remedies can relieve heavy legs. Here are the top 10 solutions
THE pains to the calves, the swelling ankles or varicose veins affect many women, especially when it is hot. There feeling of heavy legs is often linked to poor blood circulation. Several treatments and remedies natural products exist to regain light legs, such as support stockingsn or cold showers. How relieve the feeling of heavy legs in case of heat ? What sports foster ? What remedies ? Best solutions.
1. Walking to fight venous insufficiency
THE heavy leg syndromealso called venous insufficiency, results in an inability of the veins to properly bring blood from the feet to the heart. Prolonged immobile positions therefore favor these circulation problems: the blood subjected to weightlessness does not rise correctly. On the other hand, when walking, the impulse of the feet on the ground facilitates venous return.
► Good advice: avoid standing still for too long and walk as often as possible. Conversely, those who work all day in a standing position know it well: trampling promotes the feeling of heavy legs.
2. No more than 3 cm in heel!
Prefer shoes with medium heels (2-3 cm) to very high heels and flat ballerinas. Medium heels work the calf muscles more and therefore promote venous return. Likewise, avoid socks, stockings, boots… that are too tight. They are bad for blood circulation.
3. The cold shower, ideal for activating circulation
The heat dilates the blood vessels and promotes venous engorgement, causing unpleasant sensations of heavy legs. The cold has the opposite effect: it activates the circulation by constricting the vessels. For example, apartments with underfloor heating are particularly bad for the legs. Prolonged hot baths and saunas should be avoided for the same reason. Similarly, with the arrival of fine weather, avoid exposing your legs and especially getting sunburn!
Avoid exposing your legs and getting sunburned
► Good advice: in case of strong heat, do not hesitate to apply a jet of cool water in the morning and evening, from the bottom of the calves to the top of the thighs.
4. A menthol gel to activate circulation
A little massage can only be beneficial for sore legs. Provided massage from bottom to top in order to activate the venous circulation in this direction. For Valérie Leduc, phlebologist, “theGels are generally more effective than creams because they penetrate better. They are also easier to spread and provide immediate relief.” She particularly recommends the RAP PHYTO® gel. “Thanks to menthol and its active ingredients of plant origin, it has a icicle effect in addition to its tonic effect.”
5. Swimming, perfect for building calf muscles
The more your calf muscles are muscular, the more they will put pressure on the venous walls, so that venous return will be facilitated. And to build your calves, there’s no secret: you need walk, every day, as long as possible and at a good pace. Moreover, playing sports helps to fight against heavy legs.
► Recommended sports: swimming, walking.
► Sports to avoid: those that force you to trample such as gymnastics, tennis, badminton or indoor bodybuilding.
6. Aromatic herbs instead of salt!
Heavy legs are sometimes linked to another typically female problem: water retention. In this case, the hygiene of life is very important and in particular the elimination of excessively salty foods. To reduce your salt intake, avoid dishes sold already cooked, aperitif cakes, cold cuts, soups in sachets, or even hard cheeses. In addition, do not resalt your dishes when you are at the table. Similarly, avoid cooking with stock cubes. Prefer spices: cumin, pepper, aromatic herbs such as thyme, parsley, oregano which bring flavor to the dishes.
7. Compression stockings, an anti-varicose vein solution!
99% of doctors prescribe that their patients who are victims of venous insufficiency wear compression stockings. This medical equipment comes in the form of socks, stockings or tights containing elastic fibers and allows the veins to be constricted and the valves can play their role again, for prevent blood from flowing back upstream. The symptoms should therefore improve with the wearing of stockings.
► The benefit of wearing stockings is immediate but it only lasts as long as they are worn. Symptoms reappear if removed. The ideal would therefore be to wear them every day, even if few people seem to be able to do so.
► Compression stockings can be found in pharmacies. When purchased on medical prescription, they are reimbursed at 65%.
8. Getting up from your chair every 3 hours!
Most people know the risk of phlebitis associated with long air travel. A new pathology is appearing: e-phlebitis linked to prolonged sitting positions. In fact, with the massive arrival of screens in our lives, both at work and at home, we spend more and more time sitting, which increases the risk of thrombosis. So follow this simple advice: do not sit still for more than 3 hours. Even if you work in front of a screen, take breaks (toilets, glass of water, coffee…)!
9. Elevate your legs to get the blood flowing
In front of the TV, at the office… don’t hesitate to elevate your legs. Nothing better to prevent blood from stagnating in the lower legs. Moreover, avoid crossing your legs because this position does not promote circulation.
►Good advice: to sleep, place a cushion under your feet or under the mattress. If necessary, you can also cover your calves with a damp towel.
10. Avoid excess weight
In 4 cases out of 5, the people who suffer from varicose veins are overweight. And when muscle mass decreases in favor of fat mass, the vein walls tend to distend and lose elasticity. In addition, body weight exerts weight and pressure on the legs, so venous return is slowed. Result: the blood circulates less well in the legs. This is also what explains that the pregnant women often suffer from heavy legs.