Varicose veins are the bulging blue or green veins seen through the skin of the legs - and as they can be seen on the surface, people (and many doctors) think that these visible varicose veins - or varices - are the problem. They are not.

These varicose veins are not really the problem in themselves. They are only there because the underlying really a sign of the Leg Pump not working properly. As with any pump in the body, or anywhere else for that matter, if the pumping action isn't working then effects will be seen - and will worsen as the pump fails more. This is explained in "How Veins Work".

To think of varicose veins as the main problem when you have them is like thinking that the problem with getting measles are only the spots. Of course measles are caused by a virus and if you want to cure measles you have to defeat the virus - treating the spots alone has no effect at all.

In the same way, varicose veins are caused by Leg Pump Failure and so treatment should be aimed at fixing the leg pump.

This will get rid of the varicose veins but will also make the leg pump properly again - and so will reduce the risks of the symptoms of Leg Pump Failure coming back again (ie: varicose veins, aching legs, venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis and venous leg ulcers).

To understand these complications see www.legulcers.co.uk