Venous Peripheral Vascular Disease

Narrowing of the venous vessels, usually of the lower extremities. This may cause edema (swelling) of the feet and calves, and skin discoloration. The edema often inhibitts healing of even superficial cuts and scratches, endangering the limb. BENEFICIAL POSES: Viparita Karani, Uttana Padasana, Salamba Sarvangasana I, Salamba Sirsasana EXPLANATION: Draining the excess fluid from the limb is the best treatment. Often damaged venous valves of the lower extremities are responsible for the edema, though congestive heart failure may cause the edema, and if the cause is congestive heart failure, then no pose but Viparita Karani should be done, since it will return too much blood to the heart too quickly. If these poses fail, then the Unna Boot (a pliant but not stretching gauze bandage impregnated with zinc oxide) is an excellent remedy. REFERENCE Lippmann, H., Farrar, R Bernstein, R. Fishman, LM, Zybert, P:“Edema Control in the Management of Chronic Venous Ulcerations of the Lower Extremities.” with. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 75:(4) 486-493. April, 1994.