Linda
Hi Julie, Varicose veins stop blood from flowing back up your legs to your heart, but allows the blood to pool in these engorged veins. If you have a Doppler Ultrasound from your doctor you can hear your blood flow down like a river, instead of back and forth like a whooshing sound, I have had v.v. for over 10 years. I had the upper saphenous vein cut and stapled to cut off the blood flow to the veins with bad valves(simple outpatient surgery with 4 stitches). This is not to be confused with stripping. Also I had sclerotherapy (saline solution injections) after the surgery to rid my legs of small obvious spider veins (not to be confused with v.v. totally different!!) The best therapy I was told of is walking...forever. I bought a treadmill and this walking helps my calf muscles pump my blood back to my heart by constricting the muscles around the veins. Walking can only help you. You may feel fatigued by it though depending how bad your veins are. They are usually noticed first behind the knee area. Mine started during a pregnancy. Have fun walking those streets in Paris!!!