Office workers and those who don't exercise are at risk for varicose veins, caused by blocked energy and blood. TCM recommends foods and herbs to stimulate circulation, exercise, massage and acupressure.

Varicose veins in the legs are often painful and unsightly. The abnormally enlarged, twisted and discolored veins are caused by stagnant blood and blocked energy.

People with varicose veins need to stimulate blood and energy circulation in their legs and change bad habits, such as maintaining the same posture for too long. Exercise helps, so does acupressure, massage and elevating the legs at night while sleeping.

Varicose veins result from high blood pressure in the superficial veins lying close to the skin, and a poorly functioning valve that is supposed to regulate blood flow back upward to the heart. There are two other kinds of deeper veins that also move the blood.

The condition mostly affects those who have to stand, sit, and bend for a long time, such as teachers, office worker, physical laborers, even athletes. Those with a family history of varicose veins are at risk, as are obese people and those who do not exercise.

Because of their wider pelvis, women have more twisted veins in the lower body, and are at risk. Pregnant women also are at risk. During pregnancy, the fetal weight presses veins in the pelvis and affects blood in the legs. The condition often clears up after childbirth, but some women continue to have problems.

In early stage, patients may feel weakness or swelling in the legs. Gradually darker green or purple dilated veins become visible. Without proper attention, the condition will worsen, the veins will become larger, protrude more, and become more painful.

Varicose veins can also harden sometimes wounds can cause ulcers.

Traditional Chinese medicine treats the problem by treating energy and blood stasis.

"Natural-born weak energy channels are a major cause while unhealthy habits make it happen," says Dr Que Huafa, chief the TCM Surgical Department of Longhua Hospital of Shanghai University of TCM.

Too much physical fatigue, such as standing sitting or walking for too long, will hurt the weak energy channels, resulting in blocked energy and blood circulation in the legs. Weak veins cannot handle accumulated energy and blood and become enlarged and twisted.

Some cases are also caused by prolonged exposure to cold and damp. Being caught in the rain or walking through water for a long time, for example, may bring on an attack by pathogenic cold and dampness. This can block energy channels, causing varicose veins, according to TCM.

Varicose veins are more common in people over 45 as their energy level declines, but now it often happens to people in their 30s, according to Dr Que. Unhealthy lifestyle is a big factor.