Conservative Treatments

In the majority of patients, venous insufficiency may be treated conservatively. Conservative therapy includes physical measures such as limb elevation, exercise, and avoidance of prolonged standing or sitting. Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or other analgesics may also relieve some symptoms. Compression stockings also help to alleviate the swelling and pain caused by varicose veins, however, they do not treat the underlying condition. The compression stockings should be worn whenever the leg is not elevated. Conservative treatment is usually attempted first, however, this does not treat the valvular incompetence and is aimed at controlling symptoms rather than curing the disease.