1. Apply cold compress and elevate the affected area.
If your legs are swollen and tired, it's because blood is having difficulty flowing back to your heart.
The first step to relief is to help blood flow back as quickly as possible! First, rinse your legs from your feet to your groin with cool water (but not ice water), paying special attention to your ankles and the inside of your knees to promote vasoconstriction. After gently patting them dry, apply a product specifically for leg heaviness in the same way.
Ideally, choose products containing cooling natural extracts (such as menthol) for quick results. These ultra-cooling products can even eliminate the need for a shower. Finally, elevate your legs against a wall for 5 to 10 minutes to optimize venous return and permanently eliminate blood stagnation in the lower body.
2. Start and stretch
During the third trimester, reduced physical activity causes the Lejars vein network in the soles of the feet (including the arches and heels) to be used less frequently and unable to act as a pump to help blood return. At the same time, the leg muscles lack stretching, leading to insufficient venous tone.
The good news is that you can improve this without overexertion. First, rise onto your toes (holding onto furniture) ten times to stimulate the Lejars vein network on the soles of your feet. Next, use stair steps (holding firmly to the handrail) to stimulate your calf muscles. Place the balls of your feet on the steps and gently lower your heels until you feel a stretch in your legs. Repeat ten times for each leg.
3. Massage and stimulate
To maintain venous return, despite the effects of gravity, try these two simple, pleasant, and effective steps whenever needed. Using a cream specifically formulated for heavy legs, gently massage your legs from bottom to top to achieve its draining, cooling, and firming effects.
Some formulas can even be applied directly to stockings or used immediately before dressing. Stimulating the Lejars vein network on the soles of the feet doesn't require standing; simply roll a tennis ball under each foot for a few minutes in rotation.
