7 Expert Tips to Keep Your Legs Healthy

7 Expert Tips to Keep Your Legs Healthy

Your legs go through a lot in an average day. Climbing stairs, pounding out miles on the treadmill, squatting, playing sports, walking along uneven pavements, taking knocks and bruises from those tiny accidents you barely even notice … it’s easy to overlook just how resilient your legs are.

But as you get older, your legs may start to show signs of poor health, which can affect your mobility and — as a result — your overall quality of life.

That’s why you have to do whatever you can to keep your legs healthy. And here are 7 expert tips to help you do just that.

Quit Smoking

There are plenty of reasons to stop smoking right now, and your leg health is just one of them.

Smoking makes your blood vessels thinner and harder, contributing to bad circulation. One condition affecting smokers is Buerger’s disease, which causes clots in your arm- and leg-veins, posing a danger of tissue damage or gangrene.

Eat a Healthier Diet

Make an effort to reduce the amount of salt and saturated fats you consume on a daily basis, as this can lower your risk of forming varicose veins.

Try to get more fruits, vegetables, nuts, cayenne pepper, dark chocolate and green tea into your diet as well. All of these help improve circulation.

Put your Feet Up

Sitting or standing for hours and hours every day can leave your legs feeling sore or heavy (possibly even swollen). As gravity leads blood down toward your feet, elevating them helps encourage better circulation.

Consider wearing compression socks if you’re going to be driving or sitting down for hours without being able to move around.

Get More Exercise

Exercise however and whenever you can, whether that’s a brisk walk around the block, a half hour on a treadmill or playing volleyball with friends.

You’ll get your blood flowing and be toning muscles in your legs, boosting your stamina and strength. Exercise can be helpful if you have varicose veins too, though avoid high-impact activities like running as this can put extra pressure on affected veins.

Manage your Weight

Overweight people are more likely to develop varicose veins, due to the additional pressure caused by the excess weight.

Being heavier than you should be puts extra strain on your knees and hips, disrupting your mobility in the long term. If you live a sedentary lifestyle and have put weight on, adopt a healthier diet and try to exercise more to avoid placing undue pressure on your legs.

Take a Cool Shower

A cool shower or bath will increase your heart rate and your circulation, clearing blocked arteries and helping your blood flow stay strong after you’ve dried off.

Consider Compression Therapy

Wearing compression socks or stockings may be recommended for long flights or drives, but they can actually benefit your legs health in everyday life too.

Compression therapy help ease varicose veins by encouraging better blood flow and reducing discomfort. Stockings and socks apply pressure at the ankles and feet, giving your circulation a strong push.

Astra Medi Spa’s Physiotherapy treatments include compression garment fitting, for varicose veins, lymphedema and other venous conditions.

Want to book an appointment or talk to a member of our friendly team? Just get in touchwith Astra Medi Spa today.