THE PHYSIOLOGICAL CONCEPT
Varicose veins – distended, visible superficial veins on the legs – are almost always the result of problems with valves within the venous system of the leg. All leg veins contain one-way flap valves which are designed to help the flow of blood in the veins in an upward direction on its return to the heart.
When one or more of these valves fails to function correctly, some blood is able to flow back down into the leg – in the wrong direction – and tends to overfill and distend branches of superficial veins under the skin. Over a period of time, this additional pressure of blood causes the veins to stretch, bulge and become visible. At the same time, tiny capillary branches of the veins are also overfilled with blood, producing multiple spider veins and purple discolouration.
In some cases, varicose veins can also cause skin changes, damage, sclerosis, heaviness, weakness, tiredness and pain on the leg.
THE TCM CONCEPT
According to TCM theory, the general pathology of varicose veins is usually spleen qi deficiency and blood stagnation. Factors like stress, long time standing, emotional agitation and greasy foods are the causes for qi and blood disharmony, qi deficiency, production of phlegm and blood stagnation.
To break this down even further, varicose veins can be classified into three broad categories:
toxic damp heat type spleen deficiency, food stagnation, qi stagnation transforming to heat, accumulated toxic heat flowing downward to the meridians. Symptoms include tight varicose veins, local redness, swelling, hotness and pain, red color skin around the veins, scorching pain, thirsty but not want to drink, foul breath, restlessness, red, tender and puffy tongue with yellow greasy coating, slippery and rapid pulse.
damp heat type accumulated phlegm and dampness transforming to heat, damp-heat flowing down ward. Varicose veins like messy ropes, local aching, tightness, heaviness and distension, oily and bright surrounding skin, body heaviness and tiredness, heaviness of head as if being wrapped, symptoms aggravates in the afternoons, dark purple and enlarged tongue with turbid greasy coating, deep and rapid pulse.
deficient cold and dampness type cold and dampness accumulated in the interior due to qi deficiency. Varicose veins shaped like earthworms, soft upon palpation, mild continuous pain, gray or sallow skin color, local cold and damp sensation, dizziness, symptoms aggravates after stress, sallow complexion, pale enlarged tongue with white greasy coating, moderate and weak pulse.
WHAT CAN ACUPUNCTURE DO?
Acupuncture is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine which has more than 2000 years of history. This ancient treatment method has very good effects on varicose veins. However, it is rarely known to the Western world.
Acupuncture can improve the blood circulation effectively. By inserting the tiny needles into the key points along the meridians, the acupuncturist forces the blood to move in the veins and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the points for coordinating the internal organs are selected to enhance the energy and blood flow to supply and develop the source of blood to the area. Like the clogged pipe being washed wide open by a forceful supply of water. Sometimes, suctions will also be used to remove the stagnant blood.