Cupping guides

Varicose veins on the legs: why they appear, the symptoms, what helps (compression, movement, elevation, treatment), varicose veins in pregnancy – and why you should not cup over them

Varicose veins are widened, twisting superficial veins on the legs that appear when the valves in the veins stop closing properly and blood pools. They are common, often hereditary, more frequent in women, after pregnancies and in people who stand a lot, and cause heaviness, swelling, itching and night cramps, but are rarely dangerous. Here is why they appear, how to tell them from spider veins and deep vein thrombosis, when to seek care, what helps in daily life and which treatments exist, how to manage varicose veins in pregnancy, and a clear rule about cupping: never on the varicose veins themselves, but light lymphatic drainage above them can reduce swelling.