Autumn 2025 Blog

Alex Willen
Oct 4
4 min read

Varicose Veins: A Deeper Look at the Issue

Varicose veins are more than a cosmetic concern; they often signal underlying issues with your body's circulation. While many factors contribute to their development, we're going to explore a less-discussed but crucial connection: the relationship between deep calf muscle contraction, blood vessel restriction, and movement dysfunction.

The Anatomy of Calf-Driven Circulation

A happy lady jumping on a beach - Wholesome Therapies

Your calf muscles aren't just for walking and running; they're a vital part of your body's circulatory pump. As you walk efficiently, your calf muscles contract and relax, squeezing the deep veins in your legs. This action, known as the "calf muscle pump," helps propel deoxygenated blood back up towards your heart, working against gravity.

The deep veins are a critical part of this system, and when they function correctly, they take on about 90% of the blood return from your lower legs.

When the Pump Fails: The Root of the Problem

Here's where movement dysfunction comes in. If your body isn't moving efficiently—if your hips are tight, glutes are under-active, ankles can’t flex, and/or feet are only using your big toes for walking—your deep calf muscles may not be contracting and relaxing optimally. This can lead to a few problems:

Inefficient muscle contraction: Poor movement patterns can cause certain muscles to become overactive and others to become weak or underused. This imbalance can prevent the deep calf pump from fully squeezing the veins, causing blood to pool.

Vessel restriction: Overly tight or dysfunctional muscles can physically compress the veins, restricting blood flow. This is like a kink in a hose, making it difficult for fluid to pass through. When this happens, blood is forced into the more superficial veins, which are not designed to handle this increased pressure.

This chronic pooling of blood in the superficial veins causes them to stretch, twist, and bulge, leading to the visible signs of varicose veins.

How Movement Systems Can Help

This is where progressive movement systems and modalities like those at Wholesome Therapies offer a powerful solution. They focus on restoring natural, efficient movement to improve circulation from the ground up.

“Glute-driven” or “hip-centric” movements can reduce the strain on the lower legs and allow the calf muscles to function as they're intended—as a pump, not the primary mover. This encourages a more natural gait and optimizes the calf muscle pump, improving blood return and relieving pressure on superficial veins.
The body's myofascial chains like those based on the Anatomy Trains Structural Integration approach, recognize that tightness or dysfunction in one area, such as a fascial restriction in the hip or hamstring, can directly affect the function of the calf muscles and the circulation in the lower leg. If you are experiencing persistent issues with circulation, working with a Structural Integration Practitioner can be highly beneficial. We are trained to identify and release these deep fascial restrictions and realign the body's fascial network, which can help free up blood vessels and restore proper muscle function.
The body works as a whole. Assessing and treating movement dysfunction by looking at how the entire body moves in three dimensions helps identify the root cause of the movement problem—whether it's in the foot, ankle, knee, or hip. Targeted exercises and stretches can restore natural function, which, in turn, can significantly improve the efficiency of your circulatory system.

The Somatic Connection: Fascia, Movement and the Mind

Beyond the purely physical, there is a fascinating somatic component to movement and circulation. The deep muscles of our calves are an integral part of the Deep Front Line of Anatomy Trains, a core fascial pathway that runs from the arches of the feet all the way to the head. This deep line is often associated with our body's core stability, our sense of self, and our capacity to feel grounded and centered.

Because of this profound connection, chronic tension in the deep calf muscles can sometimes be linked to holding patterns related to difficult-to-address, deep subconscious beliefs within our body and mind. This concept is mirrored in the work of author and founder of Hay House publishing, Louise Hay, who suggested that varicose veins are a result of "standing in a situation you hate, discouragement, and feeling overworked and overburdened."

It's a two-way street: physical dysfunction can impact our mental and emotional state, and stress or past trauma can manifest as physical tension and holding patterns in these deep tissues. Addressing these somatic components through intentional movement and bodywork can be a powerful step toward holistic healing.

A Holistic Approach to Wellness

We understand that for some, the origins and solutions of a condition may be viewed as strictly physical, strictly emotional, a combination, or something totally different. No matter your perspective, the modalities offered at Wholesome Therapies are oriented toward providing skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate care. We offer support through touch, corrective exercise, and somatic coaching.

Our clients are welcomed, accepted, and cared for, regardless of their personal orientation toward healing. We are here to help you navigate your journey toward better health, whether that means freeing up physical restrictions, addressing underlying emotional patterns, or simply moving more freely.

While addressing movement is a key component, it's essential to remember that many factors can influence your vascular health. While we won't elaborate on them here, issues like heredity and certain nutrition deficiencies can also play a role.

If you are concerned about your varicose veins or suspect a more serious underlying condition, please seek attention from your primary care physician. A proper diagnosis is the first step toward a personalized and effective treatment plan.