Short form known as CVI, it is the medical condition by which the veins of the lower limbs are incapable of returning the blood back into the heart. It brings different complications including swelling, pain, varicose veins, and further up, an ulcer may also be created on the skin. Physicians commonly use swimming in adding to the treatment. Does it work and cure the case of CVI? Really works? Now let’s dive in to see whether swimming is useful or not to those afflicted by CVI.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Definition
Before we proceed to find out the link of swimming with this medical condition, let us first know what chronic venous insufficiency is all about. CVI simply is a disorder wherein the veins, especially in the legs suffer from an inability to pump blood back to the heart. Normally, this condition arises from broken or weakened vein valves that cause the inefficiency of the blood circulation system. Some of the common symptoms of CVI include:
- Leg swelling
- Pain or ache in the legs
- Varicose veins
- Pruritus or skin discoloration
CVP usually becomes worse with prolong periods of sitting or standing. As such, the patient is urged to keep on an active lifestyle that will enhance the circulation in that particular patient.
The role of Swimming in the Management of CVI
Swimming has been listed as one of the best low-impact exercises. Through various ways, swimming could possibly help people experiencing chronic venous insufficiency. Here are some reasons:
It Improves Circulation
Poor circulation is one of the main drawbacks of CVI. The elevated heart rate that characterizes swimming ensures proper pumping of blood, and, therefore, there is efficient circulation in the legs. Swimming in water does not pose stress to the legs because it has no effects of gravity load on blood; therefore allows free flow. This makes swimming a helpful treatment in order to relieve swelling and pain attributed to CVI.
Low impact exercises
Swimming is also a low impact exercise where much strain to the veins and joints is negligible as compared with running or even walking. For this reason, it is one of the most ideal exercises for anyone suffering from CVI since buoyancy in the water ensures a minimum chance for injuries but makes the cardiovascular work out effective enough. Additionally, swimming would irritate the varicose veins less than other forms of strenuous exercises.
Stretches the Muscles
This exercise in addition to conditioning the circulation circulation, also tightens the abdominals and legs muscles. Moreover, it would help to enhance the return of blood by the veins significantly. Hence, swimming is not only a good treatment but long-term management of patients with symptoms of CVI such as swelling and pains. Permit swimming for greater important muscles sets to use them at a moment and is also ideal for person who might soon want to hunt or look out a better circulation conditions in general.
Help Reduces Swelling
This offers gentle compressive forces on the body, useful in reducing swelling in the legs, for patients who have swellings on the legs periodically due to CVI, this really works best. It arouses the flow of blood and fluid in the legs, thereby preventing it from piling up or developing edema.
The distress with CVI drains emotionally because continual discomfort and pain could interfere with most daily activities. Swimming is a physical exercise combined with stress-relieving behavior. The peace of an aquatic environment could help reduce the stress degree, and that less stress makes symptoms of CVI to be even more minimal in nature.
What kind of swimming could be helpful to treat the distress of CVI?
Not all swimming strokes are the same regarding people with CVI in their ability to improve circulation and alleviate symptomatology. The best swimming strokes for those people with chronic venous insufficiency include freestyle, also known as Front Crawl: one of the best strokes that will increase the heart rate while improving circulation with low impact on the joints.
Backstroke: There has to be an extension of a body in its extension position along with better blood flows at the right position, relaxing the tension that lies off from veins.
Breaststroke: Better muscles exerting efforts in your legs and more at the waist so it allows great blood flow too.
On the other side, a patient has less likelihood of a patient doing butterflies due to the real stroke taking plenty of toll upon one’s body.
Precautions for Safe Swimming in the Event of a Patient with Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Precautions to Take When Swimming with CVI
There are myriad benefits of swimming in case a patient is experiencing chronic venous insufficiency; however, he or she is required to perform some precautions prior to that swim.
First Doctor Consultation
Most exercises, to an individual with the above chronic medical condition, are regarded with due respect to the patient and with his attending health care professional’s consent granted before engaging in swimming on.
Break Time: Never work too hard. While swimming, one is always advised to take a step aside, otherwise, muscle pain ensues, plus also not overworking the body.
Wear Compression Clothes: Most patients of CVI report that their symptoms during such exercises become tolerable if they wear compression stockings or some other clothing with compression on especially during swimming. The compression in the garments ensures constant pressure against the vein from swelling.
Conclusion
Another activity that would be included in the program and has significant potential to aid management in chronic venous insufficiency is swimming. Swimming gives comfort with fluid flow, decreases oedema formation and it remains the best non weight bearing exercising procedure. For these reasons swimming should be urged upon anybody to decrease CVI symptomatology provided as one among several necessary strategies in handling CVI patients through compression therapies, lifestyle adaptation measures and at the extremes necessary interventions of modern medicine.
Knowing the type of benefits it provides to the circulation while swimming, and with proper caution in regard to preparation and precautions for the activity, this lifestyle can be pursued without aggravating chronic venous insufficiency. Always discuss your specific plan with your physician first for safety purposes.