Psychosomatics of varicose veins
Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins under the skin, most often on the legs. They are usually not dangerous, but can cause heaviness, pain, swelling and itching. If your veins hurt or swell, or a sore on your leg has not healed in two weeks, see a GP or a vein specialist. The Ladder method adds questions about what you carry on your legs in life.
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When to see a doctor
Start with a GP or a vein specialist (vascular surgeon): they will examine your legs and refer you for a vein ultrasound. The NHS advises seeing a doctor if your veins hurt, swell, itch, get worse, or you have a leg sore that has not healed in two weeks.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method varicose veins are not explained by "a load of resentment", and it is not your fault that your veins have widened. They have clear causes: valves, heredity, pregnancies, weight, long periods of standing. But many people link heavy legs with a feeling of "I carry everything on my own", so questions for yourself make sense here.
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In the book "Psyche, Brain, Body" veins in the legs are linked with the image of "weights on the legs": a feeling that a duty or a loved one holds you in place and does not let you walk freely. This is an image, not a cause of the illness, and it does not replace an examination and treatment.
On the ladder this shows up as steps like "I cannot leave while I am needed" and "if I rest, I will let people down". You can work through them while a doctor looks after your veins.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Bulging, twisted blue or purple veins on the legs
- Heaviness, aching or burning in the legs by evening
- Swollen ankles and lower legs
- Itching, dry flaky skin over the veins
- Symptoms worse after long standing or sitting
- Skin on the lower leg darkens or a sore will not heal
What medicine knows
Varicose veins are veins that have widened and look swollen and twisted under the skin, most often on the legs. They can bulge and feel lumpy (NHS). Small red, blue or purple "spider veins" are different and usually harmless.
Sometimes varicose veins come with pain, a feeling of heaviness in the legs, itching, dry or flaky skin, and swollen ankles or lower legs. The symptoms are worse after standing for a long time and ease when you rest with your legs up (NHS). Without treatment varicose veins can get worse, but this usually happens very slowly, over years.
Veins carry blood back to the heart, and they have valves that stop it flowing backwards. When the valves work badly, blood pools and the veins stretch. MedlinePlus names risk factors: older age, being female, obesity, not exercising and a family history. They are also more common in pregnancy.
A doctor makes the diagnosis, usually by examining your legs and with a duplex ultrasound of the veins. Movement, raising your legs, keeping a healthy weight and compression stockings help. If treatment is needed, you may be offered endothermal ablation (closing the vein with laser or radio waves), sclerotherapy or surgery (NHS). In the UK, treatment only for appearance is usually not offered on the NHS.
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Frequently asked questions
Can varicose veins come from nerves?
Stress is not named as a direct cause of varicose veins: it is about vein valves, heredity, pregnancies, weight and long standing. In the Ladder method heavy legs become a reason to ask yourself what you carry on your own. Veins are treated by a vascular surgeon or vein specialist.
What do varicose veins mean in psychosomatics?
There is no proven "meaning" of varicose veins. In the Ladder method the image of "weights on the legs" fits: a feeling that a duty does not let you walk freely. It is a question for yourself, not a diagnosis.
When do varicose veins need urgent treatment?
Urgently if a vein is bleeding, if a leg sore has not healed in two weeks, or if one leg suddenly swells, turns red and hurts. Otherwise a doctor decides after an ultrasound whether treatment is needed, and movement and compression stockings are often enough.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.