Varicose veins describes veins that have become enlarged and painful. It typically concerns the veins on the leg, but varicose veins can occur elsewhere on the body.

Varicose veins cause the flow of blood to the heart to slow. Veins have leaflet valves which prevent blood from flowing backwards while muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart, against the effects of gravity. When veins become varicose, the valves stop working. This allows blood to flow backwards along the vein causing it to enlarge even further. This condition is often referred to as venous insufficiency or venous reflux.

In America over 25 million people suffer from venous reflux disease. Possible symptoms include swollen calves and ankles, pain and fatigue in the legs, burning or itching skin, discoloration of the skin and leg ulcers. Symptoms may be less intense wuth thin, discolored vessels (“spider veins”) being the only symptom.