Gravity Isn’t Always Our Friend: Signs You Might Have Venous Insufficiency and What You Can Do About It

By Dr. Tomi Mitchell Family Physician | Wellness Advocate | Founder, Bonsai Medical Aesthetics

We don’t often think about our veins until they demand our attention. Maybe your legs start to feel unusually heavy at the end of the day. Perhaps you glimpse some new, ropey blue veins tracing along your calves. Or maybe, you’re just wondering why your favourite shoes feel tighter by evening. If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you might be dealing with something called venous insufficiency. It’s more common than most people realize, and the sooner you recognize the signs, the better your chances of managing it effectively. 

I’m Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a family physician and wellness advocate. Today, I’m sharing what you need to know about this often-overlooked condition and what you can do before it gets worse.

What Is Venous Insufficiency?

Let’s start with the basics. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) occurs when the valves inside your veins stop working as they should. These valves are designed to keep blood moving upward—against gravity—back to your heart. But when they become weak or damaged, that upward flow gets disrupted. Blood starts to pool in the legs, creating pressure, discomfort, and eventually, visible signs like varicose veins or skin discoloration.

Simply put, your circulation slows down, and your legs are left to deal with the consequences.

And no—this isn’t just about appearances. CVI is more than a cosmetic issue. Left untreated, it can lead to leg ulcers, infections, restricted mobility, and chronic discomfort. It’s progressive, meaning the longer you ignore it, the harder it becomes to treat effectively.

Why You Need to Know About It

The thing about venous insufficiency is that it sneaks up on you. There’s no dramatic moment of discovery—just a slow, creeping change that’s easy to dismiss.

One day, your legs may feel unusually tired or achy. A few months later, your ankles are swollen by the evening. Then, a year later, you glimpse bulging veins you swear weren’t there before. These symptoms often get brushed off—chalked up to aging, busy schedules, or too much time on your feet.

But here’s what I tell my patients: Don't hit the snooze button if your body is sending you signals. Early detection and action make a huge difference. The sooner you address venous issues, the better your outcomes and the less invasive your treatment options will be.

Signs You Might Have Venous Insufficiency

You don’t need to be a doctor to spot the signs—just someone who pays attention to how your body feels. Here are the most common symptoms I see in the clinic. If more than one of these sounds familiar, consider it a nudge to get checked out:

• Legs that feel heavy or achy, especially toward the end of the day

• Swollen ankles or calves after long periods of standing or sitting

• Bulging or twisted varicose veins

• Spider veins that weren’t there last summer

• Skin that looks darker or patchy, particularly around your ankles

• Itchy, dry, or tingling skin on the legs

• Leg cramps at night that interrupt your sleep

• Slow-healing wounds or ulcers on your lower legs
  

These aren’t just harmless inconveniences—they’re your body’s way of asking for help. And trust me, it’s far better to answer that call now than wait until your veins practically shout.

Risk Factors: Who’s at Risk?

Here’s the thing: while gravity is a great equalizer, our risk for venous insufficiency isn’t.

Some of us are more prone to developing vein issues, thanks to factors like:

• Pregnancy (especially after multiple pregnancies)

• Hormonal changes (yes, estrogen plays a role)

• Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy

• Family history of varicose veins or vein disease

• Jobs that require prolonged standing or sitting, like nursing, teaching, hairdressing, or retail work

• Obesity or significant weight fluctuations

• Lack of physical activity (hello, work-from-home life)

• Smoking, which affects circulation

• Past leg injuries or high-impact sports trauma

• Genetics—and no, it’s not just a “women’s issue”
  

In our increasingly sedentary, screen-bound lifestyles, no one is entirely immune. Even dedicated gym-goers and athletes can experience symptoms if they don’t prioritize recovery and circulation.

Why Compression Therapy Works

Now for the good news: there are effective, noninvasive ways to manage venous insufficiency, and compression therapy is one of the best.

If you’ve seen me at Bonsai Medical Aesthetics, you already know how much I love Sigvaris compression socks. These aren’t your grandma’s beige, itchy socks. Sigvaris makes modern, stylish, breathable compression wear designed to help your veins do their job more efficiently.

Here’s how they work:

• Apply graduated pressure, with the most compression at the ankle and gradually less as it moves up the leg

• Help push blood upward toward the heart

• Reduce swelling and minimize blood pooling

• Alleviate that tired, heavy feeling at the end of the day

• Slow the progression of vein damage and promote healthier circulation
  

We carry a wide variety at our clinic—options that work for office wear, workouts, travel days, and even those fashion-forward outfits. They’re a simple yet powerful tool for everyday prevention and support.

Don’t Wait Until Your Veins Are Screaming

I’ve seen too many patients wait until they’re facing surgery, when symptoms are severe, and veins are visibly bulging or painful.

Yes, medical advancements have made procedures like vein ablation or stripping less invasive, but why wait until it's too late?

If there’s one piece of advice I hope you take from this, it’s this: Be proactive.

• Start tracking your symptoms

• Try a pair of compression socks

• Book a venous assessment

• Make a few lifestyle tweaks now—your future self will thank you
  

What You Can Do Today

Supporting your veins doesn’t have to involve major overhauls. A few small steps, done consistently, can make a big difference:

1. Elevate your legs above heart level for 15 minutes, twice a day

2. Wear compression socks, especially if your job keeps you on your feet or glued to a chair

3. Walk daily—movement helps your veins pump blood more efficiently

4. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your lower body

5. Drink plenty of water—hydration supports better circulation
   

These steps might seem simple, but they are mighty. They’re also entirely within your control, starting today.

Your Legs, Your Life

Think about everything your legs do for you. They get you out of bed in the morning, carry you through your busiest days, support you in dance classes, on hikes, or while chasing after kids. They move your life forward.

So why not take care of them?

If you’ve noticed even mild signs of venous insufficiency, don’t wait. At Bonsai Medical Aesthetics, we offer thorough assessments and expert guidance on everything from compression therapy to long-term vein health strategies. We’ll help you find the right tools—the best-fitting socks or a personalized plan for prevention and care.

👉 Book an appointment here.

Because your health isn’t just about how you look—it’s about how you feel. And I want you to feel your best, every single day.

With warmth and compression-supported confidence,

Dr. Tomi Mitchell