Compression: How To Put It On & Take It Off

At the Vein Healthcare Center, we've said it before and we'll keep on saying it: we love compression!

To help patients better understand how to put on and take off their compression stockings -- what they refer to in vein care as "donning and doffing" -- we've adapted this downloadable guide from our friends at medi-usa.

If you have any questions about compression, please contact us at 27-221-7799 or email info@veinhealthcare.com. If you're interested in taking the next step in vein care, click here to learn more.

Don't forget the "medi" in medi-spa

There are more than 4,200 so-called "medi-spas" in the U.S. Some of them offer facials and massages, while others offer vein procedures or cosmetic enhancements like Botox or dermabrasion. But is it safe?

In our latest issue of Vein Health News, we take a look at these businesses where aesthetics meets medicine. We also offer some good advice on how to make sure that you're not wasting your money, or worse, putting your health at risk.

If you have questions about vein procedures and safety, please ask us! Call the Vein Healthcare Center at 207-221-7799 (Monday through Friday during regular business hours), or send us an email at info@veinhealthcare.com.

The latest issue of Vein Health News!

We've released the latest issue of Vein Health News! 

In the cover story “Skin: Dermatological Changes & Vein Health” we explore how vein specialists use the clues in skin -- everything from color and thickness, to visible spider veins and ulcers -- to help diagnose a patient's vein disorders. 

We also take a look at "medi-spas" and how consumers can choose their aesthetic procedures and practitioners wisely -- and why they should.

In the same issue, we share updates in the world of compression and even give illustrated tips for getting compression stockings on and off with ease. 

Click here to read all this and more. If you would like more information about skin, vein health and the right treatment for you, give us a ring or drop us a line at the Vein Healthcare Center.

You can call 207-221-7799 (Monday through Friday during regular business hours), or send us an email at info@veinhealthcare.com.

Meet Nicole Strout, NP!

As a Nurse Practitioner, Nicole Strout, NP, supports Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, founder of the Vein Healthcare Center. Nikki joined the VHC team after providing care at an orthopedic practice in Portland. She attended nursing school as an undergraduate at Marshall University in West Virginia before receiving her Masters in Nursing from Walden University in Minnesota.

In addition to spending time with her husband, a fisherman in Alaska, and their three sons, ages 5, 3, and 9 months, Nikki enjoys the Maine outdoors – including going out on her father-in-law’s lobster boat! Read on to learn more about Nikki.

Q: How do you help patients at VHC?
A: I meet with new patients and review their medical history as well as give them a physical exam. We spend a lot of time discussing their health goals.

Q: Why is that first-visit conversation so important?
A: I work closely with Dr. Asbjornsen to determine the best treatment plan for each person, so I want to give her the most complete picture of each patient’s situation as possible. I also want every patient to feel heard, so I really tune in and listen to what their complaints are. One of the first physicians I ever worked for taught me that 90 percent of the time, the patient is going to tell me what’s wrong with them. In my experience I’ve found that that’s the best way to develop a relationship – and it streamlines their care.

Q: What is it like working with Dr. Asbjornsen?
A: She is one of the kindest, most patient physicians I’ve ever worked with. People sometimes feel that it’s hard to find someone in healthcare that you can trust and develop a good relationship with. Dr. Asbjornsen tries to do that, and so do I. So does the rest of the staff.

Q: Why are you a good fit for VHC?
A: When I was an RN, before I received my Masters in Nursing, I worked in vein treatment, so I have that background. I also like that patients with vein issues and venous insufficiency tend to be more involved in their treatment and more proactive in their approach to health. Plus, I love helping people, advising them and getting them on the right path so they can stay active.

Q: What do you like the most about vein care?
A: I think that it’s so rewarding to help people who come in with pain but can’t figure out the underlying cause. We help them figure it out, and our procedures and help with their symptoms and get them back to their baseline health and feeling so much better.

Q: What do you do when you’re not working or taking care of three young kids?
A: My sanity is running! That’s how I keep my mind functioning well.

To learn more about the team at the Vein Healthcare Center, click here. If you'd like to make an appointment to evaluate your vein health and learn about treatment options, click here.

To stand or not to stand?

Standing desks are all the rage at workplaces now. But are they actually good for your health?

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen says that specific to vein health, the short answer is: maybe.

In 2015, a meta-analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that “prolonged sedentary time was independently associated with deleterious health outcomes regardless of physical activity." 

The studies showed that physical inactivity (the fourth-leading risk factor for death for people all around the world, according to the World Health Organization) can lead to premature death from cardiovascular issues and cancer, as well as cause chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes.

Too much sitting can also increase the risk of getting varicose veins. If you already have vein issues, you may notice that symptoms get worse after sitting for prolonged periods of time.

So is standing any better? Compared with the research on prolonged sitting, relatively little research has been done to study the health effects of prolonged occupational standing. The few studies that do exist have demonstrated a relationship between prolonged standing at work and various health outcomes such as elevated risk of heart disease and musculoskeletal pain. 

We covered this subject in a previous issue of Vein Health News. In the article “Standing on the job: How at-risk occupations put a strain on veins,” we discussed the risks of people with jobs that keep them on their feet all day, such as teachers, hair dressers, medical professionals, and many others. We can add to that list people who work at a standing desk all day.

From a venous standpoint (so to speak), remaining in the same position too long – whether you’re sitting or standing – leads to poor blood circulation (hydrostatic venous pressure) and blood pooling in the lower limbs, which can lead to varicose veins over time.

If you do opt for a standing desk, consider using a balance board to keep you continuously contracting and relaxing your calf muscles, not to mention strengthening your core muscles. (Whether this helps with work productivity depends on the individual!)


If you choose to stick with a traditional sitting desk, an exercise ball chair, motion stool, or “wobble chair,” can provide you with the same kind of calf muscle readjustments throughout the day.

There are also adjustable desks that allow you to switch between sitting and standing positions throughout the day.

In conclusion, if you find standing desks more comfortable or effective, then by all means, use one. 

Regardless of the kind of desk you use, take regular breaks from standing or sitting for extended periods of time. Set your alarm to remind you to take a brief walk, or simply do some deep knee bends, or other stretching exercises. 

Perhaps the simplest circulation-promoting exercise is the calf pump. In this simple toe-tap exercise, you tap both of your feet for a minute or two, going back and forth between heels and toes. This squeezes the deep veins in the legs and forces the blood to circulate through the leg. It feels great whether you’ve been sitting or standing for a long period of time. 

To learn more about venous health and treatment of varicose veins, spider veins, and related issues, contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center.

Thank you, nurses!

In 1993, the American Nurses Association declared May 6-12 as the annual week to celebrate and elevate the nursing profession. (Fun fact: May 12 is Florence Nightingale's birthday!)

The week features events all across the country to honor nurses and their work and to educate the public about nurses' indispensable role in public health.

At Vein Healthcare Center, we know that nurses are often on the front lines of health care, and we tip our hats to them! We are well aware that venous disease can be a real occupational hazard for nurses who are often on their feet for hours at a time. We recently shared the story of Beth, a nurse from Maine who suffered from venous disease but eventually found relief.

And we'll never tire of sharing these tips for how nurses can take care of themselves by taking care of their feet. 

Lastly, if you're a nurse, tune into Nurses4Us: Elevating the Profession on Wednesday, May 8 from 1:00pm-2:00pm. Hosted by ANA, the free webinar explores Nursing Now, a 3-year global campaign to improve health by raising the profile and status of nursing worldwide.

Happy National Nurses Week to all of the nurses out there. Thank you for all you do!

Visit the Vein Healthcare Center in South Portland, Maine, or learn more about Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen.

Healthy Veins seminar with Dr. Cindy

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, Founder of the Vein Healthcare Center, truly loves to educate people -- patients and doctors, alike -- about vein health.

Dr. Asbjornsen recently gave a community seminar at Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness in Portland, Maine, where she discussed the basics of how veins work...and what to do when they don't. And, she explained what phlebology is!

Participants asked tons of great questions, including what do do about the so-called "Economy Class Syndrome" and DVT. 

Dr. Asbjornsen explained that you don't need to be in economy class (or even on an airplane) to be at risk for bad circulation. It's really about sitting in the same position for too long. A long car ride, for example, can have the same effect. 

Dr. Cindy's simple and practical advice for keeping your veins healthy during a lengthy car ride is three-fold. One, do the calf pump frequently (also known as "the foot pump"). Two, stay hydrated. Three, stop for restroom breaks! That will get your calf muscles moving AND give you a reason to keep drinking water during the ride.

Click here to watch the vein seminar. Click here to contact schedule an appointment, or to ask us any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

Meet our team, part 2

In our last post we introduced you to Manny and Brad, our Technical Director and  Vascular Ultrasound Technician, respectively.

We'd like to introduce you to some people you are also likely to encounter as a patient of the Vein Healthcare Center.

Throughout your time at VHC, our receptionist Mallory Parlin may be the first person You'll talk to-- and the last! She schedules new patients and assists them with paperwork, as well as answers questions about insurance or compression. Mallory's goal is to make sure that patients leave her desk without any worries.

Our medical assistants are Meghan Lanci and Hayley Quirion. Both Meghan and Hayley prepare patients for their appointments, assist with procedures, and provide administrative support. And both strive to make patients feel comfortable and welcome.

The Vein Healthcare Center runs smoothly, thanks in large part to Sarah Tremblay, VHC's Office Manager. Her role is to plan the schedule, handle insurance authorizations, and answer any questions patients may have about their coverage. Before becoming Office Manager a year ago, Sarah was Dr. Asbjornsen's medical assistant for four years. She says that after working at VHC for more than five years now, she's seen many patients improve their overall health.  

If you'd like to learn more about your venous health, click here. And if you'd like to learn more about our staff, click here. We're looking forward to working with you toward better health!