Varicose veins are large, ropey, and twisting blue vessels, which appear in the skin anywhere from the thigh to the foot. They are most often the result of leaking and incompetent valves in the superficial saphenous veins. These abnormal valves allow blood to flow retrograde back down the legs and into all of the skin veins. The repeated reflux causes high vein pressures, resulting in veins, which enlarge and twist over time. Leg pain associated with varicose veins is usually due to swelling of the veins and of the surrounding tissues. Phlebitis develops when one or more of these veins develop a blood clot, usually when the patient is inactive. A painful and red lump where varicose veins are located is nearly always a sign of phlebitis.
Three therapeutic methods for varicose veins in TCM
Accumulation of Cold and Damp
Therapeutic method: Herbal prescription is used to remove cold and damp by improving the liver function.
Qi Deficiency and Blood Stagnation
Therapeutic method: Herbal prescription is used to harmonize Ying, tonify Qi, and to activate Blood by invigorating kidny.
Accumulation of Heat and Damp
Therapeutic method: Herbal prescription is used to clear away internal heat and toxins, to drain damp.