Signs of poor circulation in your legs

Many people aren’t aware that their circulatory systems are struggling. If you suspect poor circulation, it’s crucial to identify the underlying cause with a healthcare professional. Signs of poor circulation in your legs might manifest as:

• Swollen legs and feet
• Pins and needles in the hands and feet
• Varicose veins or bulging veins
• Ulcers and weeping skin
• Skin discolouration
• Difficulty concentrating
• Digestive issues
• Pelvic discomfort
• Cold hands and feet

How to improve blood circulation in your legs naturally

Luckily, boosting your circulation is straightforward and often doesn’t involve medical intervention. If your doctor has given you the all-clear for the more serious conditions, follow the below advice. Read on as we reveal how to improve blood circulation in your legs naturally.

1. Move your body

Without question, exercise is the most effective way to supercharge circulation. As you move, the large muscles in your legs squeeze and contract around the veins, helping them to pump blood back to your heart.

What’s more, exercise is also an effective antidote to the stress that accompanies poor circulation – not to mention a brilliant way to combat obesity and control blood pressure.

Start by incorporating low-impact movements into your routine, including yoga and Nordic walking. If you need a little guidance, book a kickstart for your wellbeing at our residential health retreat. We’ll inspire you to adopt healthier habits for your circulatory system with gentle daily exercises, nourishing meals and indulgent treatments.

2. Adopt a plant-based diet

Peripheral arterial disease is one of the leading causes of poor circulation. Fatty deposits made from cholesterol and other waste substances collect in the walls of the leg arteries, restricting the blood flow to the lower extremities.

Eating more plants and less processed meats can ease the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease and reduce the chances of the condition worsening. However, there is no cure, so the sooner you adopt healthier habits, the better!

Our exciting food demonstrations and health talks make overhauling your diet easier than ever. Best of all, we run nutritious cooking lessons for health-conscious chefs, covering delicious guilt-free desserts and plant-based recipes. Bon appétit!

3. Book a massage

Want to know how to improve your circulation? Simply book an indulgent massage that stimulates blood flow and lymphatic drainage. The friction between fingers and skin literally pushes the blood through the circulatory system, relieving swelling, tightness and pain.

Some massages are more effective at promoting healthy circulation than others. We suggest a deep-tissue massage that focuses on slower strokes and increased pressure. Similarly, Swedish and sports massages are intensive enough to move blood through congested areas.

Other beneficial treatments include exfoliating body scrubs, like our Luxury Saltmousse Exfoliating Glow. The body brush sweeps blood in the right direction while refreshing your skin – you’ll leave glowing from the inside out!

4. Work up a sweat

Improving your circulation is as easy as taking a bath or spending a few minutes in a sauna. Heat expands your veins and arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely. If you have varicose veins, ensure the temperature isn’t too hot. Otherwise, it might irritate the condition.

Our thermal spa experiences centre heat’s restorative powers, facilitating everything from healthy circulation to lightning-quick metabolism. After taking a dip in the hydrotherapy pool, continue the relaxation with a Himalayan salt steam or aromatherapy shower.

5. Elevate your legs

One of the most revealing signs of poor circulation in your legs is swelling, and you can eradicate this through elevation – the trick is to work with gravity, not against it!

Yoga postures like shoulder-stand, headstand and legs up the wall are inversions – these upside-down postures assist blood flow and reduce inflammation. If you’re not feeling particularly athletic, raise your legs on a few cushions or a footrest instead.

6. Wear compression socks

Compression socks apply pressure to the legs, helping to maintain blood flow while preventing swelling. Usually, they’re prescribed by doctors as a non-invasive way to improve circulation. They also reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis – a nasty condition where blood clots form deep in the veins, often in the legs but sometimes in the pelvis region and arms.

Your healthcare provider will inform you how long you should wear your compression stockings, and most people see improvements within a few weeks.

How to increase circulation with wellness treatments

Now you know how to improve the blood circulation in your legs naturally, it’s time to book a wellness treatment to kick-start your circulatory system. There are countless innovative therapies to browse, including stimulating massages, exfoliating scrubs and thermal spa experiences.

Above all else, our fully qualified and friendly spa professionals will help you every step of the way. If you’d like personalised guidance, our wellness clinic offers lifestyle coaching, hypnotherapy and more.

For more information, please call 01536 712 219 or email enquiries@homefieldgrange.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.