Compression Therapy for Varicose Veins

Vein disease plagues about one in three Americans over the age of 45. Varicose veins are an unfortunate family trait, often appearing in the form of oversized, bulging, bluish cords easily visible under the skin. Sometimes they do not bulge, but rather are small, purplish, flooded capillaries called spider veins. Varicose and spider veins can be painful and unsightly, but thankfully there are several avenues of treatment you can take to healthy legs for life. At Pacific Vein Care, we specialize in several different therapies to treat varicose veins. The focus of this blog will be on compression therapy.

Compression therapy is the use of compression stockings over a period of time. These stockings squeeze the leg and allow the valves to be closer together and function properly. This helps the blood flow easier and your legs respond accordingly with less swelling, fatigue, discomfort, pain, heaviness, throbbing, and cramping. Most insurance companies require this as part of their conservative therapy criteria prior to approval for procedures.

One thing to keep in mind about compression therapy is that while it helps relieve symptoms, it is not a true cure for varicose veins. Support stockings are a temporary measure that will not fix a chronic, physical problem like the new, effective, minimally invasive technologies and treatments will. Compression stockings are not a definitive treatment, but they are a good place to start when it comes to vein disease.

Compression stockings can be purchased at Pacific Vein Care, where we will measure and use our suppliers sizing chart to get the right fit for you. Since each patient’s diagnosis and symptoms are different, a consultation with Pacific Vein Care will help us get you into the correct compression gradient and stocking length for your particular situation. We will also take the time to explain how to properly use your stockings for compression therapy, and if the compression therapy isn’t doing the trick for your varicose veins, we’ll talk about the next step for you in treatment. To schedule your consultation with Pacific VeinCare and be on your way to healthy legs for life, give us a call today at 815-759-2368!

Give the Gift of Good Health from Blue Sky Med Spa!

Blue Sky Med Spa is a new branch of our Pacific Vein Care clinic, with an emphasis on spa services like massages, facials, and laser treatment. The holidays can be a stressful time of year for most adults. Treat your spouse, mom, sibling, or best friend to a Blue Sky Med Spa gift card. Here are some great services they’ll be able to use it for:

●       Massage - We offer six different types of massages: express chair massages (for those in a rush - only 15 minutes!), Swedish massages, Clinical massage (Deep Tissue and for misalignments and past lingering injuries), Hot Stone massage, Sports massage, and Reflexology, which applies pressure to specific nerve zones in your feet.

●       Facials - Our standard facial is tailored to treat skin concerns, and includes cleansing, exfoliating and a mask. Our acne facial is a deep cleanse which calms redness and reduces bacteria and breakouts. We also have a facial designed just for men, which cleanses, tones, and eases razor irritation!

●       Lasering - Hair removal, acne, scars ingrown hairs, spider veins, and skin tightening are just some of many issues that can be addressed with laser treatment!

●       Injectables - Remove wrinkles with Botox, or get a plump out with Juvederm lip fillers.

●       Chemical Peels - medical chemical peels blend acids to tackle a variety of skin issues.

●       Micro-needling - use of a micro-needling pen as a minimally invasive procedure to stimulate skin’s collagen and elastin production.

And more! Visit Blue Sky Med Spa website to see a full list of our spa services. You can pick up a gift card during normal business hours at Blue Sky Med Spa, located within the Pacific Vein Care clinic. Give the gift of good health to your loved one this holiday season - because when they look good, they feel good.

Men and Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are typically known as a medical issue that plagues middle-aged to mature women. Experts agree that while more women are diagnosed with varicose veins, it’s likely just as common for men to have them, but that men are a lot less likely to be seek medical attention for it.

About 1 in 4 men will suffer from varicose veins at some point in their lives. Varicose veins are mostly hereditary, triggered by blood pooling in the veins of your legs - so those with occupations in which a lot of time is spent on their feet have a higher chance of developing this vein disease. Spending too much time sitting at a desk will raise your chances as well. The best ways to avoid varicose veins are exercising, reducing standing or sitting pressure, compression hose, and avoiding foods high in sodium since salt leads to retention.

If, however, your precautions don’t keep the spider veins at bay, or your hereditary predisposition is just too strong, don’t panic! Pacific Vein Care has revolutionary treatment options for your varicose veins:

●       Ambulatory Plebectomy - a minor surgical procedure which allows for the removal of large surface varicose veins through very small incisions that need no stitches. The procedure is normally done in our office using a superficial local anesthetic.

●       Compression Therapy - a common form of treatment which utilizes compression stockings over a period of time. These stockings squeeze the leg and allow the valves to be closer together and function properly. This helps the blood flow more normal and your legs respond accordingly.

●       Endovenus Ablation - a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency or laser energy to cauterize and close varicose veins. Our patients are fully awake for this procedure and it is performed in our office.

●       Sclerotherapy - a technique which was developed in the 1950s and 60s to treat veins. It involves the use of an extremely fine needle to inject a tiny amount of a dilute solution (sclerosant) directly into the larger veins. The solution causes the lining of the vein to swell, eventually sealing off the blood vessels and preventing blood flow. At Pacific Vein Care, we use polidocanol as our sclerosant of choice because it is painless and effective.

So remember: varicose veins are not just a cosmetic issue. If left untreated they can lead to larger complications, like bleeding and skin damage. If you are a man with varicose veins, don’t hesitate. Contact Pacific Vein Care and be on your way to healthy legs for life!

About Vein Disease

Did you know one in three Americans over the age of 45 will have some type of vein disease? Your vascular system, consisting of your veins, play an important role in circulating blood throughout your body and back to your heart. As you age, problems in your veins can develop and create a variety of issues, from cosmetic to more serious complications.

It is important to be aware of the different types of vein disease, as well as recognizing early symptoms so that you may seek medical advice right away. This blog will look at answering some of the frequently asked questions about vein disease.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: Symptoms of vein disease include legs that feel tired, heavy, restless, painful, and sore. Some people may experience throbbing, leg cramps, swelling, and varicose veins.

Q: Aren’t varicose veins just a cosmetic problem?

A: Actually, no! Although the physical appearance aspect is one of the top concerns for most people when it comes to varicose veins, this disease comes with a host of other complications, including pain, swelling, phlebitis, and sometimes even hemorrhage. Also known as venous insufficiency, varicose veins are a widely recognized diseased and most insurances will cover the treatment.

Q: What will treat varicose veins?

A: At Pacific Vein Care, we have specialized training in venous disease treatments and use sclerotherapy techniques to treat venous insufficiency. A concern of many patients is that their varicose veins will return. This is not true if sclerotherapy is done correctly and with the most effective sclerosant. Pacific Vein Care uses a sclerosant called Polidocanol, which is highly effective and painless. We also use Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment, which uses a catheter with a heated tip to shrink varicose veins. Blood then naturally gets diverted to your healthy veins instead! Recurrence following this treatment is only two to three percent!

If symptoms are ignored and vein disease left untreated, it can lead to bigger complications, such as leg ulcers. At Pacific Vein Care, we can diagnose your vein disease using venous ultrasound, and from there formulate a treatment strategy customized to your particular venous issue. Contact Pacific Vein Care at 815-759-2368 to schedule your consultation today or visit our website, and you’ll be on the road to healthy legs for life!

Blue Sky Med Spa; For Your Cosmetic Needs

When a vein clinic and med spa come together, something beautiful happens.  At Pacific Vein Care, we offer revolutionary vein treatment to help you eliminate varicose veins and spider veins.  Our sister company, Blue Sky Med Spa, offers a vast array of services to help you look the best that you can from head to toe.  Based on your expectations and desires, Pacific Vein Care and Blue Sky Med Spa can help you find your best version to help you feel good and look good.

At Pacific Vein Care, we are happy to treat your varicose veins and spider veins to help improve the health and appearance of your legs.  Where our treatments stop, Blue Sky Med Spa cosmetic services begin!  We serve a range of symptoms with the finest treatment.  Are you suffering from acne, rosacea, stretch marks, scars, muscle pain, nail fungus, unwanted hair and more?  Do you want kissable lips, full eyelashes or neck rejuvenation?  Blue Sky Med Spa can help!  We offer facial treatments, micro-needling, medical chemical peels, injectables, lasering, spider vein treatments and massage therapy through advanced aesthetic and aerolase laser treatments.  Our products are the best in the market targeted to your specific needs.

We are committed to serving our patients with genuine respect and care.  At Pacific Vein Care, we are grateful for the trust that our patients have put in us.  We hope that our patients will give Blue Sky Med Spa an opportunity to help them achieve the look they have always been looking for.  Because when you feel good, you look good!

For more information on Pacific Vein Care or Blue Sky Med Spa services, visit our site or call 815-759-2368.

What to Expect from Endovenus Ablation of Varicose Veins

Endovenus Ablation, also known as varicose vein treatment, is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to cauterize and close enlarged veins in the legs.  Radiofrequency technology treats veins from the inside using a catheter with a heated tip.  The radiofrequency through the catheter causes the vein walls to shrink down and the collagen on the inside of the vein to become tacky.  The vein then seals itself shut and the blood is diverted to healthy veins.

This easy treatment is growing in popularity and has an incredible success rate.  Radiofrequency Ablation treatments, Sclerotherapy, and Ambulatory Microphlebectomy are all office-based procedures that are typically covered by insurance, given the right indications.

Are you worried about what to expect during this simple procedure?  Pacific Vein Care offers the highest quality care with modern treatment techniques.  When you walk in for a 2-hour treatment, you can expect these basic steps from an Endovenus Ablation procedure:

• You will be fully awake and resting comfortably on an examination table.
• An ultrasound of your leg will be done so we may identify and mark the vein to be treated.
• Your leg will be cleansed with a disinfectant soap, and draped so it is kept sterile.
• The numbing medication will be administered and the radiofrequency catheter will be inserted through a micro-incision using ultrasound guidance.
•  Additional numbing medication will be administered until your leg is sufficiently numbed.
• RF will be used to treat one 7 cm section at a time (20 second treatment).  The RF ablation catheter will then be withdrawn 7 cm and repeat this process until we reach the micro-incision point, sealing the vein closed as it is removed
•  A small steri-strip will be applied to the tiny incision that was made for the catheter.  No stitches are necessary.

After the procedure, a compression wrap will be applied to your leg.  You will then be able to drive yourself home and return to normal activities within 24 hours.  At Pacific Vein Care, our comprehensive skills are unmatched by other vein-only centers because we offer the highest level of care!  For more information on the Endovenus Ablation procedure, preparation, after care and risks, visit our webiste or call 815-759-2368.

What You Need to Know About Vein Care

Varicose veins are unsightly – they appear blue and purple, twisting and bulging above the skin.  While most people think of varicose veins as a cosmetic problem, they can lead to serious health problems.  The primary cause of varicose vein disease is heredity but factors including hormones, pregnancy, prolonged standing, injury to the leg and obesity can also play a role.  Keep reading to learn more about the importance of vein care!

Vein Disease or Venous Insufficiency is a condition that refers to backwards blood flow in the legs and feet that cause veins to be impaired.  Varicose veins are enlarged veins at or close to the surface of the skin.  They may be small and spider-like or large and rope-like.  These veins are caused by a lack of good circulation in the legs.  People who suffer from vein disease usually have legs that feel tired, painful, heavy, restless, and sore.  Others may experience throbbing, leg cramps, swelling, varicose veins, and even leg ulcers. 

If left untreated for a long period of time, varicose veins can cause discomfort and even lead to serious complications.  Vein disease can be the gateway for serious health issues.  It can put you at risk for blood clots, ulcers, pulmonary embolism and sometimes worse.  For your health, it is vital that you eliminate the problem before it gets deadly.

At Pacific Vein Care, our treatment provides results far superior to old-fashioned vein stripping.  We are nationally recognized for our treatment of varicose veins, leg swelling and pain related to vein reflux disease.  With advanced technology and our revolutionary new treatment, we can now eliminate varicose veins and spider veins for both men and women.  Our comprehensive skills are unmatched by other vein-only centers because we are committed to the highest level of care with a knowledgeable staff and our experienced doctors.  Dr. Ali, Dr. Conti and Dr. Chan each have extensive medical education in vascular radiology and vein procedures and are happy to turn your unhappy legs into healthy legs for life!

To learn more about what Pacific Vein Care has to offer, browse our website or call 815-759-2368.