Should I wear compression stockings while exercising? I have a lot of spider veins and lift heavy weights.
I have a lot of spider veins on my legs. I lift heavy weights at the gym. Should I be wearing compression stockings while exercising to help prevent more veins, or does it matter? Thank you for your help!
Answers from doctors (7)
Worn regularly, compression hosiery can retard the inevitable progression of spider veins. Wearing hosiery only during exercise provides minimal benefit.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Most of my patients do not wear compression stockings while working out. The exercise by itself helps to increase venous return in the legs and can actually make your legs feel better in the short term. Wearing any compression stockings is purely a symptomatic treatment; therefore, they can help make your legs feel better for a while. However, no studies have ever shown that wearing compression stockings actually slows down the progression of the vein disease. So wear them for comfort and not for a means to help keep you from getting more spider veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Wearing compression stockings while you exercise won't help.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Exercise is great for your entire body. The stockings are OK to wear while you are exercising; however, it will not prevent the development of spider veins. There are several things that contribute to developing spider veins. If you are looking to have them treated, seek out a board-certified specialist in your area who has experience treating those and other types of veins.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, you should wear compression stockings while exercising.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Lifting weights increases the intraabdominal pressure which increases the back pressure in the veins and can lead to venous hypertension and further vein formation. Compression stockings will help to reduce the venous pressure so they, theoretically, should help the veins. Still, I don't know if it will really make any difference. Try consulting with a vein specialist in your area.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Yes, you should consider wearing compression stockings while exercising. You may get several benefits and perhaps could prevent more veins from appearing. Wearing them may also improve your exercise performance. There are some suggestive findings but no hard proof that these recommendations will work. Trying them doesn't hurt, however.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
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