KARNAPIDASANA

Karna means the ear. Pida means pain, discomfort or pressure. This is a variant of Halasana and can be done along with it.

Technique

• Bring both legs up to 90 degrees keeping the hands along side the body
• Raise the trunk off the ground and support the waist with your palms. Keep the legs parallel to the ground.
• Move on to Halasana by touching the toes to the ground.
• Bend the knees to 90 degrees, so that the legs rest on the floor, thighs pressing the ears.
• Keep the toes stretched out and join the heels and toes. Rest the hands either on the back of the ribs or interlock the fingers and stretch out the arms as in Halasana.
• Remain in this position for half a minute or one minute with normal breathing.

Effect:

This inverted posture helps in draining the stagnant blood from the lower limbs. When you rest in the final posture the circulation of blood in the lower part of the body improves.

Medical treatment usually is not required for varicose veins. However, varicose veins can become quite uncomfortable as well as look unattractive. They can cause the legs and feet to swell. Leg muscles may feel fatigued or heavy, or throb and cramp at night. After some years there may be increased pigmentation around the ankles, itching or burning or varicose eczema due to accumulation of waste products in veins

How can we prevent varicose and spider veins?

• Exercise regularly to improve your leg strength, circulation, and vein strength. Focus on exercises that work your legs, such as walking or running.
• Control your weight to avoid placing too much pressure on your legs.
• Do not stand for long periods of time. If you have to stand for long periods of time, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes. If you have to sit for long periods of time, stand up and move around or take a short walk approximately every 30 minutes.
• Avoid clothing that is too tight or that will constrict your waist, groin, or legs.
• Include high-fiber foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains in your diet since constipation can contribute to varicose veins. Control your salt-intake.

What are the treatment options available in modern medicine?

Sclerotherapy - It involves injecting a solution into the vein that causes the lining of the vein walls to swell, stick together, and eventually seal shut.

Electro-desiccation - This treatment is similar to sclerotherapy except the veins are sealed off with an electrical current instead of the injection of solution.

Laser surgery - Until recently, laser treatments mostly were used for treating spider veins on the face. Now, with the new technology in laser treatments, one can effectively treat varicose veins in the legs.

Closure Technique, and Surgical Ligation and Stripping are other methods available .

Can varicose and spider veins return even after treatment?

Current treatments for varicose veins and spider veins have very high success rates. Although it is uncommon, these veins can return after treatment.

Can yoga help Varicose veins?

Mr Nataraj, 60 years old diabetic with repeated varicose ulcers (for ten years) was admitted for yoga therapy. Because of repeated ulcers and infection his diabetes was not under control too. Being a social worker his profession involved long hours of standing, walking and traveling. He started practicing the Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy with special asanas designed for Diabetes and Varicose veins. His ulcers healed and the pain disappeared, could sleep, walk and stand comfortably within two weeks. With continued practices even after 5 year she is not using his stockings, the dark pigmentation has disappeared, gets no swelling ;but the appearance of the veins have not changed. His diabetes is well controlled with yoga and a small dose of Antibiotic medicine.