The Art of Vein Care Canberra

24/09/2024

Are spider veins just spider veins that look unsightly - or is something more serious going on? And which vein treatment works optimally for which condition?
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is ideal for spider veins and smaller varicose veins, according to Dr Melanie Sung from AVC Canberra, while Endovascular Thermal Ablation (Radiofrequency or EVLA) are the treatment of choice for hidden, deeper veins.
Check out our table below and visit us at the Art of Vein Care Canberra to find out more about Canberra's affordable, effective vein treatments.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

18/09/2024

Do you know the telltale signs of vein disease? go to www.theartofveincarecanberra.com.au to schedule a veins assessment today.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

06/08/2024

The plane workout that helps prevent blood clots...



Research shows that people with varicose veins are five times more likely to develop blood clots than those who don’t have varicose veins, according to a study in the Journal of The American Medical Association, that involved 425,000 people over 12 years.

"And the risk of DVT is even higher with trips plane trips longer than three or four hours," says Dr Melanie Sung from The Art of Vein Care in Canberra.
Ask Dr Sung about compression wear for your pending trip or call us today for an ultrasound to evaluate your risk of vein disease.

And while you're up in the air, try AVC's top exercises to prevent DVT - all from the comfort of your plane seat.

1 Walk to the loo.
Walk as much as you can before boarding.
And once the seat belt sign is off and you are in the air, make sure you make at least three trips to the rest room in an 8-hour flight.

2 Hand-to-ceiling stretches.
With hands together, raise arms slowly above your head. Stretch towards the ceiling turning the palms. Repeat x 3.

3 Knee pull ups.
With hands clasped together pull your left knee slowly to your chest, hold for 10 then release. Do the same with the right knee, then both knees together. Repeat five times.

4 Ankle rotations.
Lift the right root off the ground and rotate gently and slowly 5 times to the right and 5 times to the left as if drawing circles with your toes. Repeat 3 times.

5 Foot Flex.
With leg stretched out (or on the seat next to you if empty) flex the foot up and down 10 times for each foot. Repeat three times. Use hand luggage to elevate if needed.

6 Ankle Pumps.
Keep your heels on the ground and lift the front of the foot high then bring the balls of your feet to the ground. Repeat three times, doing both feet at once.

7 Neck rotations
Rotate your neck to the right 90 degrees very slowly, keeping shoulders relaced. Now turn to the other side and repeat five times.

8 Calf massage.
Use your hands to gently massage the calf muscles.

9 Toe Curls.
These are an effective way to empty blood from the foot and back to the heart research shows.*
Scrunch your toes(5 seconds) and then upwards (5 seconds). Repeat 5 times

Go to www.theartofveincare.com.au to schedule a veins assessment or find out about compression wear for your flight.

Article Sources - https://www.phlebolymphology.org/deep-vein-thrombosis... - Journal of Applied Physiology,
https://www.phlebolymphology.org/deep-vein-thrombosis.../
Venous emptying from the foot: influences of weight bearing, toe curls, electrical stimulation, passive compression and posture.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20705946/
All procedures have risks. Speak to your doctor about your vein symptoms today.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

26/07/2024

While most people are aware of breast checks, heart checks and blood pressure checks as they age - vein health is not always considered.
However, according to Dr Melanie Sung from The Art of Vein Care Canberra, symtpoms of leg pain, restless legs, itchiness around the veins (with or without noticeable varicose veins or spider veins) should always be investigated.

"Veins are not just a cosmetic nuisance. Untreated venous disease also increases the risk of restless legs, blood clots and leg eczema," she says.

And age is a big part of it. In fact compared to 25-30 years olds, older populations have an eighty fold increase risk of venous thrombosis* (blood clots).
Cancer malignancy also increases the risk 7-fold , and surgical patients have a 6-fold increase of VT than the general population.*

"Other significant risk facts for blood clots and venous disease generally include obesity, family history, being immobile for extended periods (e.g long haul flights) as well as smoking and birth control pills or HRT," says Dr Sung.

So if one does need vein treatments - what is the difference between them?

“Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, or UGS is a popular treatment for spider veins and smaller varicose veins," says Dr Sung.
“This involves injecting sclerosant (a chemical solution) directly into a vein with ultrasound guidance, so doctors can guide the needle with pinpoint accuracy whilst overseeing the process on the ultrasound monitor.

“Another option is Endovascular Thermal Ablation (Radiofrequency or EVLA Laser) that uses heat or thermal energy via a specialised catheter. This is inserted into the diseased vein to destroy the veins responsible for the vein issues and then removed afterwards.
“This is probably the most effective minimally-invasive treatment for more severe chronic venous insufficiency and very deep or hidden veins.”

She says that AccuVein is not a treatment per se, but rather a diagnostic tool or a near-infrared (NIR) laser device that displays a real time image of the veins on the surface of the skin.
“This is done through a bright green image projection so doctors can see superficial veins not visible to the naked eye.
“The cons are that while AccuVein is good for simple spider veins, if there is deeper vein issue it only shows up to 10mm below the surface of the skin, so it may not be suitable.”

Wondering which vein treatment is most suitable? The Art of Vein Care Canberra now offers an affordable range of modern vein procedures a;; done in their Canberra rooms
Where: C0/14 Grazier Lane, Belconnen ACT, 2617
Phone: 1300 834 017
Web: theartofveincarecanberra.com.au

*All results are individual, all procedures have risks. Speak to your doctor about your vein symptoms.

*Source
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1538-7836.2010.03986.x

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

09/07/2024

Lipoedema is a largely unrecognised build up of fat in the legs and arms, often misdiagnosed as obesity or cellulite.
It does not respond to diet or exercise and is often linked to significant vein issues.
Lipoedema impacts up to 1 in 11 women and was only recognised as a disease in 2018.
AVC is proud to raise both GP awareness and patient awareness of the issue in its lipoedema video which has had more than 7000 views.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQJrKy1Zw40&t=17s

"Vein issues are an important consideration for people with lipoedema,"says Dr Melanie Sung from AVC Canberra.
"Not all lipoedema patients have vein issues, but certainly some do and it is always a good idea to have a vein assessmenent if you suspect you may have vein-related lipodema issues."

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

01/07/2024

Which vein treatment is ideal for spider veins, and which for deeper veins?
According to Dr Melanie Sung from AVC Canberra, Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is ideal for spider veins and smaller varicose veins, while Endovascular Thermal Ablation (Radiofrequency or EVLA) are highly effective for deeper or hidden veins.
Check out our table below and visit us at the Art of Vein Care Canberra to find out more about Canberra's affordable, effective vein treatments.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

31/05/2024

Goodbye spider veins...why winter is the the perfect time to treat spider veins





Niggling spider veins? Sclerotherapy is a procedure that involves injecting a solution (foam or liquid) into the varicose veins under ultrasound guidance.
It’s frequently done in the cooler months of Autumn and winter, where compression stockings post-treatment are easier to wear and legs are covered.
The sclerotherapy solution creates a reaction in the vein wall which blocks it off and causes it to become like a thread of scar tissue under the skin (the vein “scleroses”).
“This treatment is generally ideal for small spider veins and often two or three treatments are required, with the end results likely to be a 60-80% improvement in spider vein appearance at the end of treatment,” says Dr Melanie Sung from the Art of Vein Care Canberra.
During the 45-60 min doctor-led procedure, a soap solution (sclerosant) is injected to irritate the wall of the vein until it collapses.
For one leg, one to two treatments is generally required, or three treatments for both legs.
See www.theartofveincare.com.au to schedule a sclerotherapy consultation with us.



All procedures have risks, all results are individual, speak to your doctor about any vein concerns.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

05/04/2024

Looking for a quick varicose veins at home treatment? Follow these elevation tips from Dr Melanie Sung from the Art of Vein Care Canberra.

1 Use a footrest when working to elevate your legs.
2 At the end of the day, prop up your legs against a wall for five or 10 minutes to improve blood flow back to the heart.
3 Avoid crossing your legs at the knees, which may impede blood flow
4 If you have a standing job, try to take a few minutes with your feet up for a few minutes and prop your feet up on a foot stool.
5 If you have a sitting job, take regular small walks every 20 minutes and exercise regularly - including walking, swimming or cycling.

Go to www.theartofveincare.com.au/canberra for a consult about pregnancy veins, menopause veins or spider veins in Canberra today.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

28/03/2024

How much does it cost to treat varicose veins in Canberra?

“When it comes to cost for vein treatments, every patient is a different and patients are not charged by the number of veins that are being treated per se, but rather a fee-per-session based on the degree of clearance a patient would like,” says Dr Melanie Sung, from The Art of Vein Care in Canberra.

"The questions patients and their vein doctor need to discuss are:

- Is there one leg being treated or both?
- Is the vein disease mild with just a few spider veins, or more gnarly and twisted veins that cause leg symptoms such as leg heaviness, itching around the veins or annoying restless legs?
- Is there an underlying vein disease beneath spider veins that may appear innocuous at first glance?

"So yes the degree of vein complexity certainly makes a difference, but as a rough average, generally three sessions are required for moderate spider veins."

Dr Sung says during a typical sclerotherapy session, as much sclerosant that can be safely injected in one leg is the focus of the first session. The second session would be for the second leg, and the third for cleanup.

"People with a moderate number of spider veins on one leg would use the full dose in one session, while often minimal spider veins can often be done in two sessions."

Dr Sung says across the board, sclerotherapy treatment generally results in about 60-80% improvement (or clearance) in the appearance of the veins.

And she says Medicare will rebate for spider vein treatment, but generally this can only be claimed if the patient has a venous ultrasound first.

“Medicare does NOT rebate without ultrasound first, and this is because veins and spider veins will often just return if there is a deeper vein issue that is not treated before the spider veins.”

#
All procedures have risks. Speak to your doctor about veins symptoms

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

27/02/2024

Do you know the telltale signs of vein disease? Need a vein ultrasound? Concerned about pregnancy or menopause related veins? Go to www.theartofveincare.com.au or call 1300 834 622.
*Speak to your doctor about your vein symptoms.
All procedures have risks.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

16/02/2024

What is the link between menopause and varicose veins?


Hot flashes, weight gain and sleepless nights aren’t the only things women have to concern themselves with around menopause.
“Menopause can cause significant drops in oestrogen over time, which is what helps keep veins elastic and promotes circulation,” says Dr Melanie Sung from The Art of Vein Care in Canberra
“A decrease in oestrogen can lead to weakened vein walls and impaired blood flow.”

She says menopause is also a period commonly associated with weight gain and reduced activity.
“The third factor that may increase vein issues around this time is simply the natural ageing process which can lead to a loss of elasticity in the veins making them more likely to varicose.”

So, what are the telltale signs of vein disease?
Melanie says spider veins, varicose veins, restless legs, itching, burning, painful or throbbing legs are all symptoms of vein disease.

Other symptoms include skin hardening or discolouration near the veins or slow-healing ulcers near the inner ankle; while blood clots are a more serious complication of untreated vein disease.

“The good news is that today’s minimally-invasive techniques require very little downtime and are almost pain free, not like the old days of vein stripping and long hospital stays,” says Dr Sung.

“Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) is one popular treatment that involves injecting sclerosant with ultrasound guidance.
“ÚGS also allows the doctors to see how the sclerosant flows through the vein after injection, allowing doctors to assess its effectiveness.”

She says while UGS is often the treatment of choice for smaller, spider veins, Endovascular Thermal Ablation (Radiofrequency or EVLA Laser) is used for more severe chronic venous insufficiency of for very deep or hidden veins.
Both procedures do not involve a major excision, general anaesthesia, hospitalisation or open surgery.

See theartofveincarecanberra.com.au for more information. about vein procedures including

- Spider Veins Treatment
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Sclerotherapy Direct Vision
- Sclerotherapy Accuvein Assisted
- UGS Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy
- Endovascular Thermal Ablation – radiofrequency
- Endovascular Thermal Ablation – EVLA
- Compression Therapy and Measurement

All results are individual, all procedures have risks. Speak to your doctor about your vein symptoms.

We are a dedicated vein clinic located in Canberra and treat spider veins, varicose veins.

15/01/2024

Modern vein treatments - Sclerotherapy v EVLA v AccuVein - what's the difference?

“What may be a good vein treatment for one patient is not always for another,” says Dr Melanie Sung, from The Art of Vein Care, Canberra.
“Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, or UGS is a popular treatment for spider veins and smaller varicose veins.
“This involves injecting sclerosant (a chemical solution) directly into a vein with ultrasound guidance, so doctors can guide the needle with pinpoint accuracy whilst overseeing the process on the ultrasound monitor.
“Another option is Endovascular Thermal Ablation (Radiofrequency or EVLA Laser) that uses heat or thermal energy via a specialised catheter. This is inserted into the diseased vein to destroy the veins responsible for the vein issues and then removed afterwards.
“This is probably the most effective minimally-invasive treatment for more severe chronic venous insufficiency and very deep or hidden veins.”
She says that AccuVein is not a treatment per se, but rather a diagnostic tool or a near-infrared (NIR) laser device that displays a real time image of the veins on the surface of the skin.
“This is done through a bright green image projection so doctors can see superficial veins not visible to the naked eye.
“The cons are that while AccuVein is good for simple spider veins, if there is deeper vein issue it only shows up to 10mm below the surface of the skin, so it may not be suitable. Your doctor will let you know.”

The Art of Vein Care Canberra now offers an affordable range of modern vein procedures done in their Canberra rooms


Where: C0/14 Grazier Lane, Belconnen ACT, 2617
Phone: 1300 834 017
Web: theartofveincarecanberra.com.au

*All results are individual, all procedures have risks. Speak to your doctor about your vein symptoms.