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Heavy legs:causes, solutions and treatment

Do you suffer from heavy legs? These are unfortunately things that happen, but rest assured, it does not only happen to you. Today, about 3 out of 4 people suffer from heavy legs, which can have a strong impact on quality of life, due to the pain, discomfort and fatigue it causes. However, this recurring problem in many people is often taken lightly, while the evil is present. In order to help you as best we can, we have written a whole article on heavy legs, the causes, the solutions, as well as the treatments that can relieve you on a daily basis.

How to recognize the symptoms of heavy legs?

Unlike other pathologies, the symptoms of heavy legs are easily recognizable and identifiable. In most cases, the feeling of heavy legs is felt after a long day spent standing or sitting, or in very hot weather, as we are currently experiencing. You may also experience a burning sensation in your legs or difficulty standing still . In the most severe cases, you may wake up in the middle of the night due to nocturnal muscle cramps.

If you have any of these symptoms, you most certainly suffer from heavy legs.

In addition to the symptoms stated above, you may also experience other discomforts. For example, tingling or an irrepressible urge to move the legs at any time of the day or night.

You may also observe unsightly marks on your skin , like varicose veins or eczema, the latter can cause more or less severe itching.

What causes heavy legs?

You now know the different symptoms that characterize heavy legs. But do you know the causes? Why do you feel this unpleasant sensation?

You should know that it is chronic venous insufficiency that causes the feeling of heavy legs. This insufficiency causes the valves to malfunction, which has the effect of preventing the blood from circulating normally. There are many factors that cause this insufficiency:

  • Heredity
  • Smoking
  • Obesity and overweight
  • Pregnancy
  • Professional activities that require prolonged standing;
  • High heat
  • Sitting or standing for several hours;
  • Being a woman (yes, it’s unfair…);
  • Age
  • Hormonal imbalances.

But you know, every problem has its solution! There are (fortunately) several treatments and solutions that can relieve or even eliminate the feeling of heavy legs.

What are the possible solutions?

The number of people suffering from heavy legs in France, but also in the world, far exceeds one million . This is why pharmaceutical companies and health institutions make every effort, each year, to advance medicine, in order to help people who suffer from heavy legs. Most solutions allow you to control venous insufficiency, in order to limit the risk of complications or aggravations.

Physiotherapy and compression stockings

To exert sufficient pressure, as well as better venous return, compression stockings are the best option. By using them daily and correctly, you will limit and reduce swelling and pain. In addition to compression stockings, which will already be of great help to you, you can complement the treatment with physiotherapy . This practice is carried out with a physiotherapist with lymphatic drainage sessions s. Your legs will then be mobilized and toned, which will act directly on your blood circulation.

Phytotherapy

Phytotherapy is an alternative medicine technique , which allows you to heal yourself with plants. To reduce the feeling of heavy leg with this method, while toning your veins, you can:

  • Ask your pharmacist for advice;
  • Get a specialized book on herbal medicine;
  • Seek advice from a herbal medicine professional;
  • Go to an organic store.

The most beneficial plants for heavy legs are:red vine leaves , horse chestnuts and witch hazel. If you follow the advice given, the use of these plants can be very beneficial.

Essential oils

Like herbal medicine, essential oils are very present in relieving daily ailments and their properties are numerous. If you choose them correctly, you will relieve your legs by supporting venous return and toning your legs.

Be careful, do not use the essential oil directly on your skin. It is advisable to dilute it in vegetable oil, then massage your legs with it. Another thing, essential oils have several contraindications. Be well informed before starting a treatment.

Surgery

If with all these methods you cannot relieve the feeling of heavy legs, you can resort to surgery, but only if you have significant venous insufficiency, as well as prominent varicose veins. Depending on the severity of your condition, several techniques are used to limit the risks:

  • Mini-phlebectomy, to remove affected veins;
  • The endovenous laser, to treat the main veins of the venous system affected;
  • Removal of veins, only reserved for large varicose veins, which affect the main veins.

How to relieve heavy legs?

But maybe you're not quite there and just need to relieve your discomfort during attacks or for prevention? In this case, here are our tips to relieve heavy legs :

  • Regular physical activity:swimming, walking, cycling, etc. Avoiding jerky sports, such as weightlifting or tennis;
  • Avoid sitting or standing for too long;
  • Limit trampling and leg crossing;
  • Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or extreme heat;
  • Avoid wearing high heels and tight clothing;
  • Drink lots of water or green tea
  • Replace your habits, for example walking to get bread, taking the children to school by bike, etc.