Leg Heaviness
It is really disturbing and irritating to feel heaviness in your legs, and many would agree. Most of the times, it is associated with strain on the legs, circulatory problems, and at times, due to certain conditions such as varicose veins. But the good news is that there are also a number of effective home treatments that can be used to ease the pain.
Raise your legs
An excellent way of getting fast relief from leg heaviness is to raise the legs to a heart level position. You can do this by placing your legs on pillows while lying down. This facilitates better blood circulation in the area and helps to alleviate swelling as well.
Drink plenty of water
Thickened blood is also a common cause of slowing down blood circulation and in order to avoid this, dehydration should be avoided. It is ideal to drink enough water to enable blood to flow properly and also prevents leg fatigue and heaviness. The recommendation is to consume at least 8-10 glasses of water in a day.
Massage
Massage stimulates circulation and relieves tension on the body; however make sure it is a gentle one only. It is ideal to start withdrawing your fingers up from the ankles to the thighs. Using lavender and peppermint essential oils can enrich the practice even more.
Cold Water Rinses
Cold water is really effective in treating inflammation and putting an end to vasodilation. After you finish your steam shower routine, rinse your legs under cold water for around 2-3 minutes. Heaviness and swelling are the most common concerns and this measure addresses both of them effectively.
Utilize Compression Stockings
Compression stockings encourage the blood in the legs to flow up through the application of some mild pressure on the legs. These bring particular benefits when you are seated or standing for long durations. Remember to select the size and the level of compression that fits your needs.
Conduct Leg Workouts
Few leg workouts can help enhance circulation and relieve heaviness. You can try these:
- Ankle Rotations: Circle your ankles.
- Calf Raises: Stand on toes and want to gradually bring back the heels.
- Leg Lifts: While seated simply alternate lifting the legs.
Take Herbal Supplements
There are a few herbal remedies which can help to ease leg pain and enhance circulation:
- Horse chestnut Extract: Best known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
- Gingko Biloba: This herb helps promotes blood circulation.
- Witch Hazel: This herb helps reduce tired, swollen legs.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
Incorporating a rich diet aids in the health of veins as well as improved circulation. Add foods that are rich in:
- Fiber: This helps to avoid constipation which will put pressure on the veins.
- Potassium: Reduces water retention (bananas, avocados).
- Vitamin C: Enhances the walls of blood vessels (oranges, berries).
Do Not Sit or Stand in One Position for Too Long
Remaining in one position for too long leads to the increased feeling of heaviness in the legs. If you remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods, get some time during the session to stretch or walk around.
Change Your Sleeping Position
If you are struggling with poor blood circulation while sleeping, try to place a pillow underneath your feet so that your legs are above the horizontal level.
When One Should Go For Treatment
These contractions are effective in the short term but if leg heaviness does not go away, it could be suggestive of a deeper underlying problem. Seek medical assistance if the signs do not alleviate or are exacerbated over time, as this could be due to chronic venous insufficiency or deep vein thrombosis.
Conclusion
A heavy leg feeling should not be a hindrance in efforts to carry out your daily routines. Home treatments do exist to relieve pain or rest and reduce the risk of a deep vein thrombosis. Such changes should take much less time than anticipated.