Arterial Peripheral Vascular Disease

Narrowing of the arterial vessels, usually in the lower extremities. This restricts the blood flow, and in even mild or moderate exercise, muscles may require more oxygen than these blood vessels can carry to them. That will result in an inadequate blood supply, or ischemia, which is often painful. This condition is quite predictable. People with arterial insufficiency will often have calf and leg cramps after walking a specific distance, and feel it each time they do so, a condition called intermittent claudication, or pseudo sciatica. One good conservative means of reducing this condition is to reduce the arterial pressure even further, for short periods of time, which will tend to dilate the arterial vessels, and induce more collateral circulation. Headstand is a fine way to do this. Another effective conservative method is to walk as far as possible (before serious pain develops), then stop, and then return home. Doing this daily will double the walking range every three months. It is critical to avoid cuts in the feet and toes, since the healing process raises the blood flow demands, and infection will sometimes raise them so high above the actual ability of the maximum arterial supply that gangrene will follow.