What to Know About Elevating My Legs

Elevating your legs has several benefits, including reduced pressure and swelling and improved blood flow. If you experience any varicose veins symptoms, elevating your legs could help relieve them and reduce the swelling that causes pain and discomfort. If you elevate your legs regularly, you may even be able to slow the development of more varicose veins in the future. 

How Long Should I Elevate My Legs for Edema and Vein Issues? 

Varicose veins often form due to increased blood pressure within the veins in the legs. To help reduce the likelihood of varicose veins and to minimize symptoms from varicose veins already present, you can begin elevating your legs daily.

Many patients ask, “How long should I elevate my legs to reduce swelling?” 

To start with, elevate your legs for around 15 minutes three to four times a day.¹ If you have time and it’s comfortable to do so, you can increase this time to 30 minutes for each session. If elevating your legs causes discomfort or pain, reduce the length of time you put them up. 

Helpful Tips for Elevating Your Legs

Whether your legs feel heavy or you have pain from varicose veins, one thing that can help is elevating your legs. While elevating your legs may seem like a simple task, it’s important to follow a few tips to keep yourself safe and comfortable.²

1. Start by speaking with your doctor. Listen to their instructions. The amount of time you’ll want to elevate your legs may depend on your specific health needs and any conditions of the veins or legs you’re dealing with. 
2. Rest flat on a surface with good back support when elevating your legs. Using a yoga mat on the floor or lying on a bed can both be good choices. 
3. Position your legs so they’re above the level of your heart. When lying flat on your back, you can place your legs on a pillow to raise them above your heart. 
4. If you can’t raise your legs above the level of your heart, another option is to place them on an ottoman or sofa. While doing this won’t elevate your legs as high as when you are lying flat, this position will still slow down gravity and help reduce pressure in the legs. 

Start by taking these steps a few times a day, and you’ll begin to see the benefits of elevating your legs. If you need help finding a vein specialist near you for additional treatment and support, visit My Vein Treatment. 

SOURCES:

1. Healthline: “What Are the Benefits of Elevating Your Legs?”
2. Healthline: “What Are the Benefits of Elevating Your Legs?“