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"Close-up of the back of a person's knees and legs. Damaged and prominent veins are obviously visible."

What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)?

Under the influence of gravity, blood faces a challenge returning from the feet to the heart. Walking helps as the calf muscles squeeze the veins, pushing the blood upwards. Veins also have valves that prevent backflow. If leg veins or valves are damaged or blocked, they can't efficiently return blood to the heart, resulting in Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

What are the symptoms of CVI?

  • Standing pain
    A person with CVI may experience a ‘bursting and burning’ pain when first standing in the morning, this is caused when blood rushes at speed into the weakened veins. Also, a dull ache or heaviness can develop in the legs when standing.
    Image of a woman standing while crabbing her knee
  • Varicose veins
    Varicose veins are a prominent indication of blood backflow. These veins appear enlarged, twisted, and bulging, affecting about one third of adults. Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins, such as pregnancy, being overweight, or having a job that involves prolonged standing.
    Image of a woman's leg showing the Varicose veins down the side
  • Slow healing ulcers
    Around 80% of leg ulcers are associated with CVI. These ulcers tend to appear in the region between the ankle and mid-calf and can be notoriously slow to heal, often taking several months or even failing to heal completely.
    Image showing a womans leg and a doctor looking at it
  • Changes to the skin
    Discoloration due to blood pooling is a common occurrence, with the skin appearing darker or developing red and brown patches. The increased pressure can also cause the skin to feel tighter, resulting in discomfort. Itching is another bothersome symptom experienced by many, and in some cases, CVI can even lead to the development of eczema.
    Image showing close up to the skin
  • Standing pain
    A person with CVI may experience a ‘bursting and burning’ pain when first standing in the morning, this is caused when blood rushes at speed into the weakened veins. Also, a dull ache or heaviness can develop in the legs when standing.
    Image of a woman standing while crabbing her knee
  • Varicose veins
    Varicose veins are a prominent indication of blood backflow. These veins appear enlarged, twisted, and bulging, affecting about one third of adults. Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing varicose veins, such as pregnancy, being overweight, or having a job that involves prolonged standing.
    Image of a woman's leg showing the Varicose veins down the side
  • Slow healing ulcers
    Around 80% of leg ulcers are associated with CVI. These ulcers tend to appear in the region between the ankle and mid-calf and can be notoriously slow to heal, often taking several months or even failing to heal completely.
    Image showing a womans leg and a doctor looking at it
  • Changes to the skin
    Discoloration due to blood pooling is a common occurrence, with the skin appearing darker or developing red and brown patches. The increased pressure can also cause the skin to feel tighter, resulting in discomfort. Itching is another bothersome symptom experienced by many, and in some cases, CVI can even lead to the development of eczema.
    Image showing close up to the skin
  • Standing pain
    A person with CVI may experience a ‘bursting and burning’ pain when first standing in the morning, this is caused when blood rushes at speed into the weakened veins. Also, a dull ache or heaviness can develop in the legs when standing.
    Image of a woman standing while crabbing her knee

What can be done to treat the symptoms of CVI?

  • Compression Socks
    Compression therapy plays a pivotal role in treating CVI. It involves using specially designed bandages or stockings that apply gentle pressure from the toes up to the knee. This compression aids in promoting blood flow towards the heart, enhancing the muscle pump action, and preventing swelling in the lower limbs. However, it's important to note that compression therapy is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with peripheral arterial disease, where the blood supply to the legs is already reduced, should avoid using compression therapy.
    Image of a man putting on compression socks
  • Surgery
    When leg ulcers resulting from CVI become persistent and challenging to heal, a surgical procedure to remove the dead or dying tissue may be necessary to promote wound healing (3). Additionally, addressing the underlying cause, repairing the malfunctioning valves in the leg veins, can significantly alleviate the symptoms of CVI (4). In cases where these treatments prove insufficient, other minimally invasive options come into play. Injections or laser therapy can be utilised to seal and shrink veins that experience reflux (backward flow of blood). This procedure is less invasive compared to traditional vein stripping and can serve as an effective alternative.
    Image of a person having surgery on their foot
  • How can Revitive help relieve the symptoms of CVI?
    The Revitive Medic Circulation Booster has been shown to improve circulation in individuals with CVI (2), actively stimulating the leg and foot muscles, encouraging improved blood flow and circulation in the lower limbs. The key to this effectiveness lies in the innovative IsoRocker feature, which replicates the motion of heel-toe raises, gently mobilising the ankles without exerting excessive pressure.
    Medic in use image, woman sat in her living room with her feet on the device
  • Compression Socks
    Compression therapy plays a pivotal role in treating CVI. It involves using specially designed bandages or stockings that apply gentle pressure from the toes up to the knee. This compression aids in promoting blood flow towards the heart, enhancing the muscle pump action, and preventing swelling in the lower limbs. However, it's important to note that compression therapy is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with peripheral arterial disease, where the blood supply to the legs is already reduced, should avoid using compression therapy.
    Image of a man putting on compression socks
  • Surgery
    When leg ulcers resulting from CVI become persistent and challenging to heal, a surgical procedure to remove the dead or dying tissue may be necessary to promote wound healing (3). Additionally, addressing the underlying cause, repairing the malfunctioning valves in the leg veins, can significantly alleviate the symptoms of CVI (4). In cases where these treatments prove insufficient, other minimally invasive options come into play. Injections or laser therapy can be utilised to seal and shrink veins that experience reflux (backward flow of blood). This procedure is less invasive compared to traditional vein stripping and can serve as an effective alternative.
    Image of a person having surgery on their foot
  • How can Revitive help relieve the symptoms of CVI?
    The Revitive Medic Circulation Booster has been shown to improve circulation in individuals with CVI (2), actively stimulating the leg and foot muscles, encouraging improved blood flow and circulation in the lower limbs. The key to this effectiveness lies in the innovative IsoRocker feature, which replicates the motion of heel-toe raises, gently mobilising the ankles without exerting excessive pressure.
    Medic in use image, woman sat in her living room with her feet on the device
  • Compression Socks
    Compression therapy plays a pivotal role in treating CVI. It involves using specially designed bandages or stockings that apply gentle pressure from the toes up to the knee. This compression aids in promoting blood flow towards the heart, enhancing the muscle pump action, and preventing swelling in the lower limbs. However, it's important to note that compression therapy is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with peripheral arterial disease, where the blood supply to the legs is already reduced, should avoid using compression therapy.
    Image of a man putting on compression socks
Image of a woman with her feet on the medic device and the remote in her hand

Making Revitive part of your pain-relief plan. 

While Revitive devices can provide symptomatic relief, it's important to remember that addressing CVI comprehensively requires medical attention.

Always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.

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