What Are Varicose Veins? Alia Bhatt's Yoga Instructor Reveals 5 Key Yoga Poses To Reduce Pain

Have you noticed swollen, twisted veins around your legs or someone else’s? If so, and you're unsure of what's going on, these veins are called varicose veins or varicosities.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), varicose veins can sometimes develop in other parts of the body, such as the rectum, although you'll typically notice around the leg.

What are the symptoms of varicose veins?

The symptoms of varicose veins may vary from person to person. However, some common signs that show on a person who has varicosities according to the NHLBI will include bulging or bluish veins, you’ll experience itching or burning discomfort around the veins, skin colour change around the veins, swelling in the legs, aching pain in the legs, besides, a feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet accompanied by a nighttime leg cramps.

What are the causes of varicose veins?

When a person has weak or damaged valves it can lead to varicose veins. Explaining the intricate details of the causes of varicose veins, Mayo Clinic, states, “ Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins return blood from the rest of the body to the heart. To return blood to the heart, the veins in the legs must work against gravity.

“Muscles tighten in the lower legs to act as pumps. Vein walls help blood return to the heart. Tiny valves in the veins open as blood flows toward the heart, then close to stop blood from flowing backwards. If these valves are weak or damaged, blood can flow backwards and pool in the veins, causing the veins to stretch or twist”.

5 yoga poses to manage pain caused by varicose veins

A recent video shared by Alia Bhatt ’s yoga trainer, Anshuka Parwani, demonstrates five yoga poses designed to improve circulation in the legs and reduce pressure in the veins.

She clarifies that although yoga cannot cure or directly treat varicose veins “it can help alleviate its symptoms like swelling, throbbing and muscle cramping in the lower legs.”

The asanas:

• Lunge walk back and forth or Anjaneyasana variation (Start with 1 minute and build up to 3 minutes)
• Butterfly pose or Bhadrasana (Start with 1 minute and build up to 3 minutes)
• Seated forward fold or Janu Shirshasana (Start with 1 minute and build up to 3 minutes)
• Legs up on the wall or Viparita Karani (Flex and extend toes 5-15x)
• Sleeping Pigeon or Supta Kapotasana (Start with 1 minute and build up to 3 minutes)