Varicose vein treatment – devices to get stagnant blood moving
Varicose vein disease (chronic venous insufficiency) develops because the valves in the leg veins do not work properly: they do not close fully, so blood cannot flow efficiently towards the heart and instead stagnates in the veins. As pressure increases, the vessels dilate and become twisted – this is how characteristic varicose veins develop. At first, the problem may be only cosmetic, but later it can cause heavy-leg sensation, tight pain and swelling, and without treatment it can lead to serious complications (leg ulcer, thrombosis). The essence of varicose vein treatment is to “pump” stagnant blood back into the circulation – home-use devices can help with this.
Movement is most important – compression only works with it
The most important way to prevent and manage varicose vein disease is regular movement: contracting leg muscles “pump” blood from the veins towards the heart. An important, often misunderstood fact: compression stockings or bandages only work together with movement – if you sit still while wearing them, they only squeeze but do not pump. That is why movement is the backbone of treatment; home-use devices (muscle stimulators, lymphatic drainage devices) are particularly valuable when you cannot move enough for some reason – they artificially operate the muscle pump.
Power Q-1000 Plus lymphatic massage device. Basic feature set. 4-chamber leg, arm, hip/buttock and short-trouser cuffs sold separately, available in multiple sizes.
The UniPro is a two-channel, multifunctional electrotherapy device providing TENS, EMS, microcurrent and interferential (IF) treatments.
Premium 400 multifunctional electrotherapy device. TENS / EMS / MCR-MENS / FES / iontophoresis. Specialized programs: running, cross-country skiing, combat sports, tennis, football, cycling. 4 channels, battery operated.
Power Q-1000 Premium lymphatic massage device. Advanced capability. 4-chamber leg, arm, trunk/hip and shorts cuffs are sold separately and are available in multiple sizes.
The Globus Genesy 1500 — one device for hundreds of complaints.
Power Q-2200 compression therapy unit. Mid-range level. 4 air-chamber leg, arm, hip/buttock and shorts cuffs are sold separately and available in multiple sizes.
Genesy 600 multifunctional electrotherapy device. TENS / EMS / MCR-MENS / FES / iontophoresis / denervated. 4 channels, battery-powered.
The Mambo Max ElliptiStep is a compact, seated elliptical trainer. Its electromagnetic drive makes it ideal for home, office or rehabilitation use.
Which devices can help with varicose veins at home?
There are essentially two types of device for managing varicose veins at home, depending on the severity of the symptoms – and there are also solutions to make up for a lack of movement. Alongside compression stockings and regular movement, these devices can complement treatment. Let’s look at them.
You place the muscle stimulator’s self-adhesive electrodes on the calf muscles (and possibly the thighs), and the device uses gentle electrical impulses to make the muscles contract – much like they do while walking. Contracting muscles “squeeze” blood out of the veins, reducing tightness and stagnation. A 20–30-minute treatment can provide real refreshment. A muscle stimulator is a fully suitable solution for milder, early symptoms. Multifunctional devices (UniPro, Premium 400, Genesy series) can be used for many other complaints as well as muscle-pump programmes.
A lymphatic drainage device uses a boot-like cuff with several air chambers: it inflates and deflates the air chambers one after another, “massaging” the leg from the bottom upwards and starting blood flow in the veins. It has a stronger effect, so it is suitable for more pronounced symptoms than a muscle stimulator and even in cases of complications (leg ulcer). You can choose from the Power Q series: Power Q-1000 Plus (entry-level), Power Q-2200 (mid-range) and Power Q-1000 Premium (advanced, with fine pressure adjustment) – all have 4 air chambers, and the cuffs can be selected separately by size.
Because movement is the backbone of varicose vein treatment but is not always possible outdoors, a home exercise therapy device may be a good solution. A seated elliptical trainer (Mambo Max ElliptiStep, electromagnetic) and a pedal exerciser (OxyCycle) work the leg muscles with adjustable resistance while protecting the joints – operating the muscle pump even when walking is difficult because of the weather, pain or limited mobility. This allows the beneficial, circulation-supporting effect of movement to be maintained at home.
Which device should you choose?
The main guide is the severity of the symptoms: for milder, early-stage varicose veins, a muscle stimulator is fully suitable, while for more pronounced symptoms or complications (ulcer), a lymphatic drainage device is appropriate. If you cannot move much, an exercise therapy device (elliptical trainer, pedal exerciser) can make up for walking. All of these complement compression stockings and movement; they do not replace them. Mechanical lymphatic drainage and electrical stimulation may also be useful alongside prevention for symptoms after varicose vein surgery and in preventing thrombosis – it is worth discussing the choice with your treating doctor.
An honest view of surgery
It is important to be realistic: veins that have already become twisted cannot be restored to their original state, and surgical removal of varicose veins (sclerotherapy, laser or radiofrequency treatment, stripping) primarily removes the visible vein – but does not treat the underlying cause. Surgery is often justified with the following “idea”: another vein gradually takes over the function of the removed vein. This means that another vessel takes on an additional task alongside its own, so it becomes dilated... Surgery therefore removes one dilated vein and transfers the task to another vessel that has not yet dilated, which can perform it only by becoming dilated itself.... a solution of limited value...
That is why surgery is justified only when natural and device-based methods are no longer sufficient, or when complications (varicose vein inflammation, embolism) recur – a vascular surgeon makes this decision. The devices presented here complement the treatment and prevention of the condition; they do not replace specialist medical assessment.
Important information
Assessment and treatment of varicose vein disease are medical tasks – the devices presented here complement medical care; they do not replace it. Electrical stimulation and pneumatic compression have contraindications (for example, a pacemaker, active skin infection or an open wound in the treated area, or a tumour in the treated region), and must not be used if acute thrombosis is suspected – so consult your treating doctor before use, especially in the case of an ulcer or another complication. Urgent medical care is needed if sudden, one-sided, painful swelling of the leg occurs with redness and warmth to the touch (suspected thrombosis), or if chest pain or shortness of breath develops (suspected pulmonary embolism – ambulance: 104 / 112). A leg ulcer that does not close also requires medical attention.
Would you like to learn more?
Dr. Zsolt Zátrok explains varicose vein disease in detail in an article – from its development and stages through to home treatment and preventive lifestyle measures: Varicose vein disease: causes, symptoms and treatment →. If you are unsure what is causing leg swelling (varicose veins, lymphoedema, thrombosis, heart/kidney problems), this article can help with the differential diagnosis: Leg swelling (oedematous leg): causes and treatment →
Frequently asked questions
Because compression stockings work properly only together with movement: the pressure helps blood flow upwards when contracting leg muscles “pump” the veins. If you sit still in the stocking, it only squeezes and does not move the blood. That is why the stocking complements movement – and if you cannot move enough for some reason, this is where a muscle stimulator or lymphatic drainage device can help by artificially operating the muscle pump.
The severity of the symptoms decides. For milder, early-stage varicose veins, a muscle stimulator is fully suitable – it squeezes blood out of the veins by stimulating the calf muscles, refreshes the legs, and is less expensive and simpler. For more pronounced symptoms or a complication (leg ulcer), a lymphatic drainage device is appropriate because it uses stronger, “boot-like” compression. If you are unsure, or if your symptoms worsen, ask your treating doctor for advice.
No – it is important to be realistic about this. Veins that have already become twisted cannot be restored to their original state. What the devices offer is relief from symptoms (tightness, heavy-leg sensation, swelling), reduced stagnation and prevention of complications (ulcer, thrombosis) – in other words, slowing deterioration and improving quality of life. Removing visible veins is a surgical (cosmetic) procedure, but it does not eliminate the underlying cause.
Surgery (sclerotherapy, laser, radiofrequency, stripping) primarily removes the visible vein, but does not treat the underlying cause – venous insufficiency: another vein takes over the function of the removed vein and may also become dilated over time. That is why the procedure is justified when natural and device-based methods are no longer sufficient, or when the risk of complications is high. A vascular surgeon makes the decision – it is worth considering it carefully and obtaining more than one opinion.
Without delay if sudden, one-sided, painful swelling of the leg develops with redness and warmth to the touch – this may indicate thrombosis. It is life-threatening and you must call an ambulance (104 / 112) if chest pain or shortness of breath occurs (a sign of pulmonary embolism). A leg ulcer that does not close also requires medical attention. Varicose vein disease can lead to serious complications, so never ignore the signs above.
