The Art of Vein Care

13/10/2025

Sitting for long hours is a common part of the average Aussie work day. But prolonged sitting can have a surprising impact on your vein health.

Dr Jason Toniolo, Vascular Surgeon and Director of The Art of Vein Care, explains: “Extended periods of sitting can slow blood flow in the legs, increasing pressure on the veins and making it harder for blood to return to the heart. This can lead to swelling, discomfort, and over time, may contribute to the development of varicose veins.”

Recent research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine shows that prolonged sitting at work increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by about 10% for every hour spent seated. Factors like eating lunch at the desk or having a personal desk also raise the risk (Odds Ratios 2.2 and 2.1 respectively), while using adjustable chairs or stretching legs showed no protective effect【1】.

For those with desk jobs, simple habits can make a big difference:

✅Take regular breaks to stand and walk around every 30–60 minutes

✅ Stretch your legs and perform ankle pumps or calf raises at your desk

✅ Consider wearing compression stockings to support vein function

✅Elevate your legs when possible, especially after a long day

✅ Stay well hydrated and maintain a healthy weight

If symptoms like persistent leg heaviness, swelling, or visible veins develop, it’s important to seek a professional vein assessment.

At The Art of Vein Care, consultations and ultrasounds are bulk billed at our Wollongong and Gregory Hills clinics.

Visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 1300 834 622 to book an appointment.

All surgical procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. Results vary by individual.



【1】Lower limb venous and arterial peripheral diseases and work conditions: systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine (London, England), 78(1), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2019-106375

16/09/2025

Find out the difference between sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins v EVLA treatment for deeper veins and which procedure suits which patient.

Visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 02 4601 1055 to learn more.

hills

All surgical procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms.

05/09/2025

See why vascular surgeon Dr Jason Toniolo won't treat his own viens - and why its always important to get an expert opinion on varicose veins, or symptoms of restless legs, aching legs, throbbing legs or skin changes near varicose veins.

Dr Jason Toniolo, an experienced vascular surgeon, shares why he chooses not to treat his own varicose vein — and what the real goals of vein treatment are.I...

28/08/2025

Noticing bulging veins after the gym?

For many people, more prominent veins post-workout are normal - especially in the arms or legs after strength training or cardio.
Dr Jason Toniolo, Vascular Surgeon and Director at The Art of Vein Care, says this effect is usually temporary and harmless.
“Veins may become more visible during exercise due to increased blood flow and muscle pump activity. This is known as ‘vascularity’ and is especially common in people with lower body fat.”

During physical activity, the body sends more blood to working muscles. Veins closer to the surface dilate to accommodate the increased flow, making them appear more pronounced.

A 2023 study in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery found that athletes often have larger superficial and deep veins, likely as an adaptive response to exercise rather than true varicose veins.

The study also observed a higher incidence of venous reflux in exercisers (about 21% vs. 6% in controls), though this reflux was mostly limited to certain superficial veins, and its clinical significance remains unclear.*1

So when should one worry about prominent veins?

"If veins stay enlarged long after rest or come with symptoms like aching, swelling, or skin changes, this may indicate venous reflux," says Dr Toniolo.

Essentially this means the veins have difficulty sending blood back to the heart, leading to blood pooling in the leg veins, which can cause pain or aching legs, varicose veins and skin changes.

“This is even more important for people with visible or symptomatic veins, especially if they have a family history or stand for long periods”.

Ultrasound for all arterial scans and varicose or spider vein scans are bulk-billed at our Gregory Hills and Wollongong Clinics.

To learn more, visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 1300 834 622
All surgical procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. All results are individual.



*1 Vanrij, A., Thomas, K., Exercise, Bulging Veins and Venous Disease. . 2023;66(6):864-865. https://www.ejves.com/article/S1078-5884(23)00723-2/fulltext

We provide Miradry and minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. Locations in Gregory Hills, Wollongong and Orange.

19/08/2025

Is your leg pain, leg cramping, or skin changes on the leg a possible symptom of peripheral artery disease?
Art of vein care services the full gamut of artery and vein conditions and now offers bulk-billed ultrasound in our Wollongong and Gregory HIlls rooms for all patients.
Visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 02 4601 1055 to learn more.
All surgical procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms.
vascular disease hills

16/07/2025

Are varicose veins easier to treat in the cooler months?

If you’re plagued by spider veins, varicose veins and restless legs - or perhaps painful legs after sitting or standing for long periods, winter is often the ideal time to have a vascular ultrasound to see if there are any underlying issues.

“Varicose veins symptoms are all typically worse in the hotter weather, when the veins bulge and stand out at their proudest.
“Symptoms tend to be better in the cooler months, venous pressures are lower as the arteries deliver less blood to conserve heat,” says Dr Jason Toniolo, Vascular Surgeon at AVC.

“Another good reason to treat veins in winter is that 24/7 compression stockings are required for many vein procedures for a week. On a sweltering summer day, this is slightly less comfortable.”

All venous scans for spider veins and varicose veins are bulk-billed in both our Wollongong and Gregory Hills rooms.

Visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 1300 834 622 to find out more.



All procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. Results vary individually.

We provide Miradry and minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. Locations in Gregory Hills, Wollongong and Orange.

15/07/2025

Crossing legs causes varicose veins — myth or fact?

Crossing legs has long been blamed for causing varicose veins.
But Dr Jason Toniolo, Vascular Surgeon and Director of The Art of Vein Care, says while leg crossing may make veins more visible temporarily, it does not cause them to form.

“Most varicose veins are caused by faulty valves that allow blood to pool in the legs. Crossing the legs does not damage the valves.

“People with existing vein issues may feel symptoms like aching or heaviness more when they sit or stand for long periods — regardless of leg position.”

So what does contribute to varicose veins?

- Family history of venous disease
- Pregnancy and hormonal changes
- Long hours of standing or sitting
- Excess weight
- Ageing

Family history is one of the strongest predictors for varicose vein development. According to a 1994 study published in the Journal of Dermatol Surg Oncol, 90% of individuals with both parents affected by varicose veins also developed the condition, compared to only 20% among those with no family history.

While leg position isn’t a cause, symptoms like aching, restless legs, heaviness or swelling can still be telltale signs of venous dysfunction and seeking timely assessment remains important, especially for those with risk factors.

Venous ultrasound scans for varicose or spider veins are 100% bulk-billed at our Wollongong and Gregory Hills clinics.

Visit theartofveincare.com.au
or call 1300 834 622.



All surgical procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. All results are individual.

We provide Miradry and minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. Locations in Gregory Hills, Wollongong and Orange.

10/07/2025

Does Medicare provide a rebate for spider veins treatments like sclerotherapy?
What about varicose veins and DVT?

Here's some common venous treatments that may - or may not - attract rebates.

🩺Sclerotherapy treatment for spider veins

"If a patient is seeking any Medicare rebate for spider veins, they must first have a Duplex Ultrasound," says Dr Luqman Nasar, phlebologist at the Art of Vein Care.
"If vein function is normal, there will be no rebate for sclerotherapy procedures.
"However, if there are deeper vein problems and underlying venous incompetence the patient may often require more than sclerotherapy, and the doctor will discuss further options including your eligibility for Medicare.
"The reason we do the scan is because if there IS deeper vein disease spider veins may just come back."

🩺 Varicose Veins Treatments
"Theses are the veins can cause heavy or aching legs, itching around the veins, restless legs, ulcers and bleeding," says Dr Luqman.
He says Varicose veins generally attract a Medicare rebate."

🩺 Significant Phlebitis Treatment
"This is a vein inflammation which may occur after infection or injury or a blood clot," says Dr Nasar.
"Symptoms include warm, itchy skin over the affected area.
Skin may be red, thick and hard and pain and tenderness are common." The condition is generally rebatable.

🩺 Venous Ulcers
"A telltale sign of these sores is that they are usually on the inside of the ankle, often bleed or stain, heal very slowly and are a result of severe underlying vascular disease."
They generally attract a Medicare rebate.

🩺 Chronic Venous Insufficiency
"Chronic Venous Insufficiency is a chronic condition when the veins in the legs have difficulty returning blood back to the heart.
"Typically symptoms include swelling of the legs and ankle, pain that worsens when you stand and improves when you raise the legs.
Other symptoms include leg cramps, achy throbbing legs, itchy legs, leg ulcers, skin changes, tight calves and weak legs," says Dr Luqman.
He says typically this will attract a rebate under Medicare.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Medicare also rebates the diagnosis and treatments of DVT which is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in the deep vein.
"This may cause calf pain, lower limb and swelling," says Dr Nasar.
"If a piece of the clot breaks off and travels it may progress to a dangerous pulmonary embolism (PE) which can be fatal.
PE symptoms may include chest pain, pain upon a deep breath, cough, or breathlessness."

Go to www.theartofveincare.com.au to book in for a vein consult today.

🩺All venous and arterial scans are 100% bulk-billed in our Gregory Hills and Wollongong rooms.

01/07/2025

What happens in a vascular vein scan and which spider veins are most linked to deeper varicose vein disease?

Just as an architect will create a blueprint of your house, at AVC our bulk-billed ultrasound helps create a blueprint of your vein and vascular system, says AVC sonographer Hadi Younes.

“Sometimes what is happening on the outside of the body, isn’t what’s happening on the inside,” he says.
“We get an ultrasound for every vein patient because even if you have some superficial spider veins you still have to check for any underlying vein disease.”

“Also, if you want to claim any rebate from Medicare for sclerotherapy, Medicare requires every patient to get this ultrasound first, so deeper vein issues can be treated if necessary to help prevent risk of spider veins simply coming back.”

AVC's vascular surgeon Dr Jason Toniolo says that for patients with spider veins over the front of the thigh inside of the thigh, or back of the calf there is often deeper underlying varicose vein issues.

"On the other hand, patients with spider veins on the outside of their thigh or the back of the thigh usually do not have underlying varicose veins in the legs. However they can typically have a problem up higher in their pelvis (pelvic venous insufficiency, often with heavy painful periods, urinary frequency, sometimes lower back pain and sometimes varicose veins around the l***a.)

All spider vein and varicose vein scans are bulk-billed in Wollongong rooms.
All arterial vascular scans are bulk-billed in our Wollongong and Gregory Hills rooms (for peripheral artery disease, DVT and venous insufficiency).

Visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 1300 834 622 to find out more.



All procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. Results vary individually.

We provide Miradry and minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins and spider veins. Locations in Gregory Hills, Wollongong and Orange.

28/05/2025

Aussies don't think twice about having a breast check, Pap Smeal or prostate checks and heart checks in middle age - but what about vein health?
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in Australia - and yet it affects 1 in 5 people over 65.
PAD is caused by narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs, reducing blood flow to the muscles. The most common sign?
Cramping or tightness in the calves when walking, which eases with rest. This is often mistaken for muschle fatigue or "just getting older."
Other symptoms may include:
- Numbness or weakness in one or both legs
- Shiny, dry of discolored skin
- Sores or wounds on your feet or legs that are slow to heal
For people who are over 50, have diabetes, high cholesterol, a history of smoking, or a family history of vascular disease - it's worth having circulation checked.
At the Art of Vein Care, we offer bulk-billed arterial scans at our Gregory Hills and Wollongong clinics.
Call us on 1300 834 622 or visit theartofveincare.com.au to book a scan or consultation with a vascular surgeon.

Note, while all arterial scans are bulk billed, venous scans are bulk-billed for pensioners only.

19/05/2025

Bulk-billed vascular scans for Wollongong patients


The Art Of Vein Care now offers bulk-billing for varicose vein scans performed in Wollongong, with our new 2025 state-of-the-art scanner.
And when it comes to deciding what treatment your might need for varicose veins, it's not a one-size-fits-all approach.
"What may be ideal for one patient is not always for another," says Jason Toniolo, from the Art of Vein Care in Wollongong. “Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, or UGS is ideal for spider veins and smaller varicose veins ,” he says.
"However Endovascular Thermal Ablation (Radiofrequency or EVLA) are highly effective for deeper or hidden veins."

Remember, to be eligible to claim ANY Medicare rebate for sclerotherapy procedures, a Doppler/Duplex ultrasound must be carried out first, to ensure there are not underlying deeper vein problems first, which may make spider vein treatments less effective.

Please call us today on 1300 834 622 to book a scan or consult.

14/05/2025

Can high heels lead to varicose veins?
High heels might elevate personal style, but they can also elevate the risk of venous disease and spider veins, those fine red or purple vessels visible on the legs.

Dr Jason Toniolo, Vascular Surgeon and Director of The Art of Vein Care, Wollongong and Gregory Hills, says heels can interfere with how blood circulates through the legs.
“High heels reduce movement in the ankle joint, and that decreases the effectiveness of the calf muscle pump.

"This increases pressure in the lower limb veins and, over time and may lead to the development of spider veins,” he explains.
In healthy circulation, the calf muscles play a vital role in pushing blood back toward the heart. Wearing heels limits ankle flexion and muscle engagement, allowing blood to pool in the superficial veins.

A 2012 study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery found that even short-term use of high heels reduces calf pump efficiency, increasing residual venous volume, and contributing to venous hypertension — all of which may aggravate superficial vein issues.
Spider veins and varicose veins are more common in women, particularly between the ages of 30 and 50. Risk factors include pregnancy, prolonged standing, family history, and hormonal fluctuations.
“Prevention starts with awareness. And the earlier vein issues are addressed, the less likely they are to progress into something more complex,” adds Dr Toniolo.
Spider vein treatments — including sclerotherapy and laser therapy — are walk-in, walk-out procedures performed under local anaesthetic with little or no downtime.

Visit theartofveincare.com.au or call 02 4601 1055 to learn more.

All surgical procedures carry risk. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms. All results are individual.

Sources:
Effects of high-heeled shoes on venous return in women, 2012, Journal of Vascular Surgery

Give your life a leg up! Minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins.