Our bodies are composed of a network of blood vessels made up of arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to various parts of the body. During this process, the blood loses oxygen and must return to the heart. Our veins are the blood vessels that return blood to the heart.

Within our veins are small valves that help return blood to the heart. If blood attempts to move away from the heart these valves should close, preventing backwards flow. This backward flow is called ‘reflux’ or ‘insufficiency’.

As people age, or are subject to injury or genetic predisposition, these valves can fail or reflux which results in uncomfortable symptoms.

Early symptoms may seem minor. Without proper medical treatment, vein disease can progress and become serious or disabling. Due to gravity, we see vein disease more frequently in the lower extremities than in other parts of the body.