5 Things You Can Do to Alleviate Pain and Improve Leg Circulation

There are a number of conditions that can lead to poor circulation in your legs. The most appropriate treatment depends in part on why your blood isn’t circulating properly. However, there are a few universal approaches you can take to help improve your circulation.

1. Quit smoking

There are plenty of good reasons to quit smoking, and problems with poor circulation is one of them. Nicotene and the other ingredients in cigarettes raises your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Poor circulation in your legs can result in pain, numbness, and a range of other uncomfortable symptoms, and it can have any number of causes. While the best treatment strategy for you depends on the precise cause of your condition, there are a few things you can do to help improve your circulation no matter the cause.

Here at CA Heart and Vein Specialists in Huntington Beach, California, we’ve helped men and women throughout Orange County improve their circulation and overcome a wide range of vein problems. We believe that patient education is just as important as in-office treatment, so we’ve put together this list of five ways to improve your leg circulation.

1. Stop smoking

If you’re a smoker, there are so many good reasons to quit, from saving money and smelling better to protecting your cardiovascular and circulatory health.

Smoking raises your risk of a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD), which reduces the blood flow to your legs. One of the most common symptoms of PAD is pain when you walk. Smokers are three times more likely to develop PAD than non-smokers.

2. Improve your flexibility

Stretching or practicing yoga, pilates, tai chi, or a similar discipline, will improve your flexibility, and there are numerous benefits to breathing deeply and slowly while bending, twisting, and stretching.

When you stretch, you increase the amount of oxygen in your blood, and you compress and decompress your blood vessels, which improves circulation. In yoga specifically, certain poses involve holding your legs above your head — imagine lying on the floor with your feet and legs propped on a wall — which can also improve circulation.

3. Wear compression socks

Compression socks help keep your legs from swelling and encourage better circulation by slightly squeezing your legs. Runners often wear compression socks, and they are available in an array of colors and patterns. Some provide more pressure than others, so we can help you choose the right pair for you.

4. Get plenty of aerobic exercise

The word aerobic means with oxygen, and aerobic exercise is physical activity that improves the way your body uses oxygen. Aerobic exercise strengthens your heart and lungs, and your circulatory system benefits.

There are many types of aerobic exercise, and your choice depends on your preferences, your overall health, and other factors. Walking, jogging, swimming, and biking are all common ways to fit some aerobic exercise into your day.

It’s best to aim for about 30 minutes per day, even if you find you need to break that time into shorter segments throughout the day.

5. Watch what you eat

Diet and exercise are two of the most powerful tools at your disposal when it comes to your health. Limiting the amount of sugar and trans fats you consume, while increasing your intake of healthier fats and vegetables, is a good step toward improving your circulation.

Your diet can affect your blood pressure, which affects your circulatory system. Eating more nuts, beets, fish, peppers — even dark chocolate — can help reduce inflammation, lower your blood pressure, and improve the circulation in your legs.

Although these five ways to improve the circulation in your legs are all good steps for your health, it’s important to talk about your specific situation with Dr. Majed Chane and the staff at CA Heart and Vein Specialists. We’ll create a treatment plan and provide resources that are tailored to you as an individual, designed to help you overcome your personal health challenges.

If you’re ready to feel less pain and improve your circulation, book an appointment online or by phone at CA Heart and Vein Specialists today!