When Can I Work Out or Play Sports After Varicose Vein Treatment?

Medically reviewed by Sean K. Stewart, MD, MS, on October 10, 2025

If you’re considering treatment for varicose veins, you may wonder when you can safely exercise or participate in sports or other strenuous activities after a vein procedure. The answer depends on the procedure you had, your body’s healing process, and the guidance of a board-certified vein doctor.

That’s why, at Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), each patient receives an individualized recovery plan from a board-certified vein specialist. 

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For this article, we consulted Dr. Sean Stewart, a board-certified vein doctor and the lead physician at Center for Vein Restoration's vein clinics in Annapolis, Maryland, and Columbia, Maryland. He provided general guidelines that are intended to help you understand what to expect as you gradually return to an active lifestyle. 

📍 To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart in Annapolis, MD, CLICK HERE.

 📌To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart in Columbia, MD, CLICK HERE.

🚩To schedule an appointment at any of CVR’s 120+ vein clinics nationwide, or click below ⬇️

Why Treat Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that commonly appear in the legs. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, about one in four adults in the United States (that’s 65 to 70 million Americans!) have varicose veins. They develop when weakened vein walls and faulty valves allow blood to pool in the lower legs. The result can be leg heaviness, aching fatigue, and swelling.

These vein problems are not only cosmetic. Left untreated, vein disease can worsen and even lead to complications, such as blood clots, and skin changes, including skin infections and ulcerations. 

Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offers a variety of minimally invasive outpatient vein treatment options to improve both leg symptoms and appearance.  These include:

• Sclerotherapy – A micro-injection procedure that closes small varicose and spider veins, causing them to fade over time.
• Endovenous thermal ablation (using laser or radiofrequency closure) – A minimally invasive treatment that uses heat to close diseased veins.
• Ambulatory phlebectomy – A minimally invasive outpatient procedure in which tiny incisions are used to remove bulging surface veins without the need for sutures or stitches.
• VenaSeal – A medical-grade adhesive that closes diseased veins.
• Varithena – A microfoam injection causes diseased veins to collapse, redirecting blood flow to healthy veins.

Modern office-based techniques enable faster healing and reduce discomfort compared to older surgical methods. A review in the National Library of Medicine (NIH) found that methods, such as endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) and foam sclerotherapy, reduce pain, speed healing, and improve quality of life compared to traditional surgery.

What Recovery Looks Like: What “No Strenuous Exercise” Really Means

To determine when you can safely resume working out, it is helpful to understand the healing process following vein treatment. Below is a general guideline. (Always defer to your CVR vein doctor about your unique circumstances.)

1. Immediate to Day 1

• For sclerotherapy and endovenous vein closures, recovery is immediate. Patients return to work on the same day after a vein procedure and are encouraged to walk frequently, including going up and down stairs.
• Activities of daily life are safe, but avoid aerobic exercise and weightlifting until cleared by your CVR vein doctor.
• Compression stockings are recommended for at least three days during the daytime hours only. However, wearing compression for two to four weeks post-procedure further supports healing by aiding in vein closure, reducing inflammation, and may result in superior outcomes in visual appearance.

2. First 1–2 Weeks

• Bruising for one to two weeks is normal.
• Swelling, mild soreness, and tightness along the treated vein are common.
• High-impact or contact sports, heavy lifting, or intense cardio should remain on hold until your CVR vein doctor gives the okay. These activities can usually be resumed within one to two weeks. Half of CVR patients use Tylenol or Motrin during this time, whereas the other half use no pain relievers at all. 

3. Weeks 2–4 and Beyond

• Many patients gradually return to more vigorous exercise during this period.
• It’s common to still experience swelling and soreness off and on for one to two months.

When Will I Fully Heal After Varicose Vein Treatment?

Most patients return to normal daily activities immediately, but complete healing typically takes two to four weeks for smaller procedures. For more extensive treatment, recovery may extend to three to six months, depending on the specific treatments performed and the number of treatments required to correct the diseased veins.

After injection treatments: Smaller veins close first, followed by medium-sized veins, and then larger veins over several weeks. Irritation is common as veins of varying sizes shut down in phases. Wearing compression stockings can encourage healing and shorten the overall recovery period.

After heat treatments: Veins close immediately, causing mild discomfort for one to two weeks.

👉 Book your consultation with a CVR vein specialist today and discover how simple recovery can be

Protect Your Vein Health Long-Term

Even with minimally invasive vein care, it’s essential to follow your CVR doctor’s post-procedure instructions to reduce the risk of complications such as clots or infections. 

Another thing to remember is that venous insufficiency is a chronic condition. You can expect to return for routine follow-ups, and additional procedures may be necessary in the future.

📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915 
📅 Or book online HERE

What Type of Activity is Safe (and when)

As you recover, engaging in low-impact activities helps improve circulation and support the healing process. These include:

• Walking is universally safe and recommended immediately.
• Swimming or cycling are good low-impact options once incisions heal
• Light strength training (focusing on form, avoiding heavy weight on legs) may be reintroduced gradually.
• High-impact activities (like running, aggressive tennis, contact sports) should wait until your Center for Vein Restoration vein doctor clears you, usually after one to four weeks.

Key Factors That Influence When You Can Return to Sports

Your timeline for returning to sports depends on:

• Number and size of veins treated—larger or multiple veins take longer to heal.
• Overall health—conditions like diabetes, obesity, or poor circulation may slow recovery.
• Baseline fitness—active patients may bounce back faster.
• Provider protocols—slight variations exist among specialists.
• Your symptoms—pain, swelling, or new discomfort are signals to scale back.

Safe Ways to Ease Back into Workouts or Sports

While exercise is well-tolerated, use your best judgment. This means that even though you are cleared, your veins may still be recovering. Here are guidelines and tips to help patients safely resume physical activity after vein treatment:

1. Get clearance from your vein doctor. Don’t push yourself before your check-up or imaging confirms good healing.
2. Start with low-impact movement. Walking is universally recommended immediately to improve blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots.
3. Wear compression stockings as directed. Stockings reduce swelling and support healing.
4. Avoid heavy lifting, high jumps, sprints, and contact sports until cleared. These push pressure in leg veins and might reopen treated veins.
5. Increase intensity gradually. Add duration or resistance slowly, paying attention to your body (and your legs, particularly!).
6. Cross-train. Cycling, swimming, or elliptical training are safe in early recovery.
7. Monitor for symptoms. Stop or scale back if you experience new or increasing leg pain, swelling, tightness, redness, or unusual warmth.
8. Elevate legs and rest as needed. Rest with legs raised above heart level to improve circulation.

If you notice any of these after resuming activity, suspend workouts and contact your vein specialist immediately:

• Sharp or worsening leg pain
• Sudden increase in swelling
• Bleeding or oozing at treatment sites
• Signs of infection (redness, heat, pus)
• Numbness, tingling, or skin changes
• Shortness of breath or chest pain (rare, but urgent)

Schedule Your Post-Treatment Check-In

Successful vein treatment doesn’t end in the procedure room—it continues with a safe and guided recovery. Meeting with a CVR vein specialist helps ensure your progress is on track, reduces your risk of complications, and gives you confidence to resume exercise. 

👉Book your follow-up today and let our team support your return to full activity.

Bottom Line: Be Smart, Not Speedy, When It Comes to Vein Treatment Recovery

Light activity, such as walking, often begins immediately after treatment, while sports and intense workouts usually require several weeks to resume. Patience pays off—rushing recovery risks setbacks, while following your doctor’s advice helps you return to full strength safely.

With today’s minimally invasive options and expert follow-up care, most patients can look forward to regaining healthy, pain-free legs and an active lifestyle.