Don't let 'em fool you. Celebrities get varicose veins, too. Jacksonville's St. John Vein Center offers tips on keeping your legs red carpet-ready.

It was the thigh shot seen ’round the world. Photos of Angelina Jolie’s somewhat awkward pose onstage and on the red carpet at Sunday night’s Academy Awards broadcast quickly went viral. Yet, they were just another of the leggy snapshots that the movie, music, and television awards seasons produce on a constant basis.

While the Regular Janes of the world long for legs that appear lean, smooth and flawless, it’s important to note that every single one of us – even those whose photos grace the magazine covers – are prone to conditions like spider veins and varicose veins, according to Jacksonville’s Dr. James St. George. In fact, some celebrity habits may even contribute to these unsightly conditions.

“Those impossibly high heels that we see celebrities wear not just on the red carpet, but to the coffee shop and grocery store, are an accomplice to those varicose veins,” he says.

Stars whose snapshots have shown evidence of spider and varicose veins include Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristen Davis of Sex and the City fame, singer Britney Spears and former supermodel Janice Dickinson. In an industry where one’s looks are paramount to success, you can bet that these women and their staff are quickly on top of such issues. So how do they seemingly instantly take charge?

In their off-screen time, top celebrities are focused on taking care of their figures by working out. Aerobic and strength training exercises are a must for both maintaining a lean figure and keeping their blood pumping for a healthy, rosy look. Good circulation helps keep the blood moving upward through the body rather than pooling backwards into the veins and causing the tell-tale blue-tinged vein swelling.

Celebrities and their handlers also stay up to the minute on all the latest techniques and technologies that address cosmetic issues like spider and varicose veins.

If you’re beginning to notice spider veins or varicose veins, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center can give you the celebrity treatment. Led by Dr. St. George, we specialize in both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for spider veins, varicose veins, blue veins, pelvic and labial varicose veins, leg pain, leg swelling, and restless leg syndrome. To help keep your legs red carpet-ready, call 877-640-VEIN (8346) or use our convenient online email form to schedule a consultation today.

The subject of varicose veins doesn’t typically come up during while whispering sweet nothings in your lover’s ear. No matter. We still think Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show your legs some love by adopting a lifestyle that will help prevent varicose veins. Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center offers up a few helpful, if not necessarily romantic, tips:

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  Show your legs some love with tips from St. Johns Vein Clinic.

  Get physical: Regular exercise focusing on strengthening your leg muscles and improving circulation. Power walking, jogging, yoga and dancing are great choices that will keep your legs strong and manage your weight, taking pressure off your legs, knees and feet.

• Go easy: Give your legs a break from the stilettos. They look great and are fine for an occasional night on the town. But for your day-to-day running, opt for stylish flats or kitten heels instead. High heels keep your calf muscles from effectively pumping blood out of the leg. Plus, the lower heels will help keep those calves curvy and strong.
• Give them some TLC: If you stand all day at work, shift your weight from one leg to the other every few minutes and take advantage of your downtime. If possible, elevate your legs while you’re resting. And if you spend most of the day sitting at a desk, use those breaks to move around a bit.
• Set a date: If you have signs of varicose veins or spider veins, set an appointment at St. Johns Vein Center in Jacksonville. Varicose veins, spider veins and other venous insufficiency conditions are our specialty. Call 904-402-VEIN (8346) or use our online “Schedule a Consultation” form.

And have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Most insurance companies will cover medically necessary varicose vein treatment. Jacksonville's St. Johns Vein Center offers other payment options as well.

Among the most common questions about varicose vein treatment Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center hears daily is whether the treatment will be covered by insurance. As the economy slowly recovers and patients seek both cosmetic and medical treatment for their varicose veins, spider veins and pelvic or labial veins, insurance and payment options are a top topic in talks with doctors.

The answer depends on several factors. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the initial consultation and testing. However, further coverage depends on whether your doctor and insurance company deem your treatment medically necessary.

Varicose veins can be uncomfortable and unattractive. If dealt with quickly, they pose no medical threat. However, gone untreated, varicose and spider veins can lead to a more serious condition called venous insufficiency. This is a severe clogging of the blood in the veins that prevents it from returning to the heart. Medical consequences include deep-vein thrombosis (better known as a blood clot). If a clot travels from the leg veins to the lungs, it can block a patient’s lungs and heart from functioning. Severe bleeding infections and sores or skin ulcers also can develop. Most insurance companies cover treatment in such cases.

On the other hand, treatment of spider veins and less severe cases of varicose veins often are considered cosmetic treatments not covered by most health insurance plans. To help patients cover the costs of medically necessary varicose vein treatment, Jacksonville’s St. Johns Vein Center participates with several major medical insurance companies including:

• United
• Aetna
• Medicare
• Tri-care
• Cigna

Although we do not participate with most HMO plans, the majority of managed health care plans do offer out-of-network benefits and our staff can handle claims filling for you.

Don’t have insurance? St. Johns Vein Center also accepts payment via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club International and Care Credit. To find out more about payment options and schedule your initial consultation for varicose vein treatment, call 904-402-VEIN (8346).