3 reasons why winter is a great time for vein treatment

Diagnosing and treating varicose veins (and other forms of venous disease like spider veins and leg ulcers) is a good idea any time of year. Winter, however, is an excellent time for vein treatment. 

Here are just a few reasons why:

1. Cozy Compression

With a vein procedure such as ablation, you will be required to wear medical-grade compression stockings any time you are on your feet for the first two weeks following treatment. (After sclerotherapy, you should wear compression 7-14 days when you are on your feet.) The good news is that post-procedure compression stockings will keep you warm while you recover – and it’s much more comfortable with a winter wardrobe.

2. Less Swelling, More Comfort

Heat causes blood vessels to expand, or vasodilate, which can increase swelling and discomfort in legs that are prone to varicose veins. The cold weather naturally constricts blood vessels, which can potentially reduce post-procedure swelling and makes recovery feel easier than in the summer heat.

3. Ready for Summer 

Recovery from vein treatments take time. Patients can expect some amount of bruising, swelling, and tenderness, although post-procedure discomfort is highly variable from person to person. While some patients may experience discomfort, some may feel none at all. It takes time for legs to recover from vein treatment. If you get started in the winter months, you’ll be more ready for shorts in the summer.

If you’re concerned about your vein health and want to schedule an appointment this winter, feel free to contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center. Our goals are to learn about your condition, help you understand how your vein health affects your overall health, and provide you with treatment options. We make taking the first step simple, comfortable, and stress-free!

Meet the Vein Healthcare Center team!

Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, the founder and fearless leader of the Vein Healthcare Center, relies on the entire staff at VHC to ensure that our patients feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. 

You may remember our interview with Physician Assistant Alison Scheib, but we thought you'd be interested to see who else makes up our team!

Our ultrasound departMent is second to none. Emanuel "Manny" Papadakis is our Technical Director and a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS) and registered vascular technologist (RVT). Brad Thomas, RVT, RDMS, is our Vascular Ultrasound Technician. 


Both Manny and Brad work with patients in two ways: they produce vein mappings that help the physician create a treatment plan, and they provide ultrasound guidance for ablations and sclerotherapy treatments.

Both sonographers also care for patients in other ways. Brad does his best to make patients as comfortable as possible, treating each person as though they are a member of his own family. Similarly, Manny tries to connect with patients and get to know them a bit more on a personal level, making for a more comfortable and less intimidating visit.

In our next post, we'll meet a few more people who make up the VHC family!

If you'd like to find out more about treatments for varicose veins, spider veins, or other venous issues, please contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center.

One patient's perspective: coast-to-coast commute

One of Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen's patients is a 55-year-old nurse with quite a work commute. Beth lives in Ogunquit, Maine, but she works in California. 

Beth works for a national company that provides healthcare and rehabilitation in homes and hospitals. As a district director, she oversees the clinical operations for five long-term care facilities in the East Bay. She flies from Maine to California every Monday and then flies home on Friday. It takes all day to get from one coast to the other; when she’s at work, she’s on her feet for most of the day; and she’s had vein problems most of her life – a triple whammy in terms of venous health.

Like many people, Beth inherited “bad veins.” Her mother had varicose veins, and all but one of her six siblings have “pretty significant” varicose veins. Beth also has a 35-year-old son with extreme varicosities.

Over time she has experienced more and more problems with varicosities. After the birth of her second child, she had a vein stripping done and then another one in the mid 1990s. In addition, up until the last ten years, Beth has suffered from obesity. She believes that the extra weight combined with the venous insufficiency also caused edema in her legs that’s been difficult to keep in check.

“It feels like I’ve been managing this for more than 30 years,” said Beth. “And my legs are still a hot mess despite everything that’s been done to them.” 

Her occupation has exacerbated her issues, as she spends 10-12 hours on her feet during the week, paired with a commute that requires traveling for hours in a plane twice a week. Despite reducing her weight significantly and wearing compression socks daily, Beth was struggling again with achiness in her legs. By mid-afternoon the pain would be so great she’d have to “pop an ibuprofen” to get through the day.

After going to a board-certified phlebologist for an evaluation, Beth learned about the advances in vein care since the days of vein stripping – and the importance of locating, and treating, the “leaky” vein valve at the source.

After initial endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), Beth is no longer feeling any discomfort in her legs, however her ultrasound evaluation showed that “there was a lot of work to be done.” She has begun to wear full-length compression stockings on flights and at work, and she plans to finish her recommended treatment plan, which will include several sessions of sclerotherapy.

As Beth continues the process, she has this advice for people with similar problems: “The treatment modality is basically painless and simple. If you can get rid of the pain and edema – and the harm that the long-term edema causes – you’d be a fool not to do it.” 

To read more stories of real-life patient experiences, click here. If you're looking for relief from leg pain, varicose veins, or other venous issues, contact the Vein Healthcare Center to make an appointment for a thorough exam. 

Spider Veins Don’t Have to be Scary!

Telangiectasia is the technical term, but most people know them as “spider veins.” The red, blue or purple veins that occur just under the surface of the skin may appear as short fine lines, clusters, or in a spider web shape.

According to Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, spider veins can be an indication of early stage vein disease— the “tip of the iceberg,” if you will. Vein health is a continuum, so while spider veins may appear minimal, there could be a larger vein “leaking” underneath.

Here are some tips for coping with spider veins:

• Elevate your legs above your heart as often as possible— for as long as 30 minutes or as briefly as three minutes. The ideal time is after you have been standing for a long period or after a hot shower.
• Sit properly. Focus on good posture and avoid crossing your legs, or sitting in ways that can compress veins for prolonged periods.
• Walk. Walking causes the rhythmic contraction of calf muscles and helps promote blood flow to the heart. Just 30 minutes every day— all at once, or in shorter increments.
• Contact a board certified phlebologist for an evaluation. In the past, treatment for spider veins has been considered merely cosmetic, but spider veins are symptoms of early stage vein disease and left untreated can lead to increased symptoms.

Sclerotherapy is frequently used to treat spider veins and smaller veins. In this procedure, tiny needles inject a medicine called a sclerosing agent into the vein's interior wall. This substance causes the vein to become sticky and seal shut, causing the troublesome vein to disappear. Blood then finds a healthy path back to the heart.

With modern sclerosants, there is little risk of complication, and patients often experience an immediate relief of symptoms. Most patients can return to their regular activities after the procedure is over.

Treating spider veins can improve appearance but more importantly, treatment can help stop the progression of venous disease at its source.

To find out more about spider veins, sclerotherapy, and vein treatments, contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center. We look forward to hearing from you!

Fixing the problem

In our last two posts, we looked at the problem of leg pain in athletes, and how veins and exercise can possibly affect each other.

If vein problems keep someone from doing activities that aggravate his or her vein symptoms, then choosing alternate activities is one way to cope. Some people may find that swimming, for example, does not produce the same discomfort that running does.

Athletes can live with the problem, but they don’t have to. There are so many options for treatment so that people can continue doing their favorite sports or whatever activity they're passionate about. They might even see an improvement in their performance.

Modern treatments have excellent initial and long-term success rates when performed by an experienced phlebologist (vein specialist). Endovenous approaches are minimally invasive treatments used to address specific large varicose veins in the legs.

Endovenous ablation (EVLA) is considered the gold standard in the treatment of venous symptoms, with success rates between 90% and 98% after five years. It has largely replaced previous, more invasive standards of care, such as vein stripping.

Another option for treatment is sclerotherapy, performed either with ultrasound-guidance, or with a light-assist, which seals the vein wall of small varicose veins allowing them to fade away.

With both EVLA and sclerotherapy, patients can walk the day of the procedure and return to normal activity, including moderate exercise, within a few days.

The key to safe, effective vein treatment is to consult with a board certified vein specialist who can evaluate the entire venous system so that poorly functioning veins can be treated at the source.

Hidden signs of vein disease

Sometimes vein disease is unmistakable. Large, bulging varicose veins are a sure sign, as are bluish spider veins. But sometimes vein issues are harder to detect.

The 65-year-old woman in the picture to the right sought help because of veins in her right leg, but in her initial evaluation it became apparent through skilled ultrasound mapping that both legs were affected. Even she didn’t realize the disease was actually worse in her left leg than her right.

Other symptoms that may indicate vein problems are heaviness or aching in the legs. Swelling, throbbing, cramping, or burning sensations in the leg are other signs, as are restless legs. If you think you might be suffering from one or more symptoms of vein disease, ask yourself these 12 questions to find out more.

As for the patient in the picture, she had EVLA treatment on both legs, followed by ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy. Both of her legs – and her quality of life – have distinctly improved.

Sclerotherapy Q&A with Alison Scheib, PA-C – Part 3

In our two previous posts we spoke with Alison Scheib, PA-C and sclerotherapy specialist at the Vein Healthcare Center, about post-treatment issues with sclerotherapy. In our final installment, we ask her some of the most popular questions that arise about this procedure. 

What are the most common side effects after treatment?

The most common side effects are bruising and tenderness of the treated veins. The bruising is usually fully resolved within two weeks and the tenderness responds well to heat and elevation. I do want to add that patients who follow the post-procedure guidelines for care will help promote the most effective healing. After each sclerotherapy session, compression stockings should be worn for 10 days, in most cases.

How much does sclerotherapy cost and does insurance cover it?

Costs vary, but it’s usually about $300-$500 per session based on how the vein is visualized (light-assisted vs. ultrasound). Insurers describe sclerotherapy as an “adjunct” procedure and will cover it in part or in full if a bigger procedure has been done in the past, such as radiofrequency or laser ablation, or if there is an open ulcer. Patients should work with their treatment provider to understand their health insurance coverage.

What is the one question that patients ask you the most?

“Will it hurt?” Everyone’s experience is different, but most people describe it as very tolerable. It is always possible to stop the procedure or take a break if someone does find it very uncomfortable, but most patients say there is only minor discomfort. The medicine is pH balanced and vein access is with a 27-32g (very small) needle so it’s really just a very small perceivable pinch.

If you have any questions about sclerotherapy, or what to expect before, during or afterwards, feel free to contact us at the Vein Healthcare Center: email connect@veinhealthcare.com, or call (207) 221-7799.

Sclerotherapy Q&A with Alison Scheib, PA-C – Part 2

In our last post, we discussed the basics of sclerotherapy with Alison Scheib, PA-C and sclerotherapy specialist at the Vein Healthcare Center. Now we talk with Ali about what to expect after a sclerotherapy procedure.

What should someone expect right after sclerotherapy?

Immediately following the procedure, there may be mild itching of your legs. It typically resolves within an hour. For the next few days, there may be some tenderness and bruising. About two weeks following the procedure, you may feel hard bumps in the area of the treated vein, which usually disappear over the course of several months.

How will the leg look or feel a week after sclerotherapy? A month?

Usually, the changes noticed in the first two months are improvement in symptoms. Patients have reported to me that their legs feel lighter, or without pain. The large, lumpy veins slowly disappear, usually 2-6 months after the procedure, and the smaller veins may disappear over the following six months. All veins clear up large to small, high to low. 

Are the results of treatment with sclerotherapy permanent?

Yes, once the vein has collapsed, it typically gets reabsorbed into the body and is permanently gone. Because that vein no longer exists, it cannot cause problems in the future. That said, all the veins in the body have the same genetic makeup and have generally been exposed to the same environmental stresses and, in theory, have the same risk of failing. In other words, if a patient has one bad vein, it is very likely that at some point they will have other bad veins. It’s important to note that healthy lifestyle changes can make a big difference in managing chronic venous issues and preventing future problems.

Can you go to work after treatment? What about exercise?

Yes, you can go to work after treatment. However, you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous physical activity while standing for the first five days following sclerotherapy. Walking is great exercise after treatment. In fact, walking 30 minutes a day is a post-op requirement!

To read the conclusion of our conversation with Ali, click here. We ask some specific questions about common side effects and whether sclerotherapy is covered by insurance. Plus, the one question that patients ask most…

Sclerotherapy Q&A with Alison Scheib, PA-C – Part 1

Patients often have common questions about sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive procedure used to treat spider veins and varicose veins. To shed some light on the topic, here is a Q&A with Alison Scheib, PA-C, who specializes in sclerotherapy at the Vein Healthcare Center.

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure involving a series of injections into a dysfunctioning vein. The provider uses tiny needles to inject a medicine called a sclerosing agent into the vein's interior wall. This causes the vein to become sticky and seal shut, causing the troublesome vein to disappear. Blood then finds a healthy path back to the heart. “Ultrasound guided” or “light assisted” defines how the vein is visualized during these injections.

Can you explain the difference?

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy uses ultrasound echoes to locate veins that are not readily visible and cannot be seen with a light. This procedure is often used to treat perforator veins, or veins that connect the superficial system (above the muscles in your leg) to the deep system (veins under and between the muscles of the leg). During light-assisted sclerotherapy, a small, hand-held light illuminates the veins directly below the skin, which allows the sclerotherapist to clearly identify the source of the dysfunction.

Who is sclerotherapy best for?

Sclerotherapy works best for those with superficial veins that are not directly connected to deep veins by junctions and have a diameter less than 5 mm. It can also be highly effective in patients who have leg symptoms such as heaviness, aching, pain, itching, swelling, throbbing, or skin discoloration or breakdown.

How long does the treatment take? How many treatments do most patients need?

Number and length of each treatment varies from patient to patient. Each session can take between 15 minutes and one hour, depending on the complexity of vein patterns and reflux. Most patients need multiple treatments, 3-6 sessions, on average.

To read part two of our interview with Ali, click here!

Varicose veins during pregnancy—how to prevent them, how to treat them

In honor of Mothers Day, we’re discussing the topic of varicose veins during pregnancy, but with a focus on the positive: prevention and treatment. (We explore the effect of pregnancy on veins in greater depth in a previous blog post. Click here to read more.)

During pregnancy, the two most important preventative things to consider with vein care are periodically elevating the legs and compression. 

Maternity compression stockings come in a variety of styles and strengths, from knee-highs and thigh-highs, to full-length stockings. Many panty hose styles have more room in the belly and are specially designed to expand during pregnancy without restricting the abdomen. Maternity graduated compression stockings are specially designed to fit more snugly at the ankles and calves and less so toward the top. The gradual change in compression helps the weak valves in the veins to circulate the blood more effectively. Many women who wear maternity graduated compression report that it makes their legs feel great!

Though pregnancy compression stockings (and body garments) are available with a doctor’s prescription, many maternity stores also offer them. Accurate sizing is critical, so it is best to check with a doctor prior to purchasing any type of compression while pregnant.

In most cases, women can be safely treated for varicose veins 6-8 weeks after delivery. Hormonal levels are usually back to normal within that time (if the patient is not breastfeeding), and water retention and any clotting risks have usually returned to baseline.

           

Depending on the type of treatment, breastfeeding may be an issue for some patients. Treatments that require a local anesthetic, such as endovenous laser ablation (ELVA) or microphlebectomy, have been proven safe. Sclerotherapy is not recommended if the patient is breastfeeding, as certain medications used during this procedure have not been proven safe and may be excreted in breast milk. However, if the patient is willing to forgo breastfeeding for 24 hours, sclerotherapy is possible.

Another important preventive measure is knowledge. If someone in your family has had a history of vein issues, chances are you might too. Some vein specialists recommend that women seek evaluation, and possibly treatment, for problematic veins before their first pregnancy, especially if there is a strong family history of vein issues. Evaluation and education can be very important for preventing or controlling issues before you need treatment.

Compression After Laser Treatment

In our last post we discussed the value of graduated compression stockings before an EVLA procedure. Now we turn to the use of compression after vein treatment. 

Graduated compression after EVLA has been proven to decrease swelling, a common outcome associated with the procedure. Additional benefits for the patient are decreased discomfort, potentially decreased risk of blood clots, and potentially decreased risk of pigmentation, or staining of the skin.

Immediately following an EVLA procedure, patients are asked to put on their compression stockings. Vein specialists will ask patients to wear compression stockings for the first two weeks following EVLA treatment, any time the patient is on her or his feet. (Compression stockings are also prescribed following sclerotherapy treatment, usually for between five days and two weeks.) Graduated compression stockings should never be worn to bed.

Compression is critical for the most efficient and effective healing process.

Compression Before Laser Treatment

For years, patients suffering from varicose veins and other vein conditions had few options for treatment. Now, endovenous ablation, or EVLA for short, is considered the gold standard in vein treatment. EVLA is minimally invasive procedure that is done on an outpatient basis, and recovery time for most people is very quick.

Graduated compression stockings play an essential role before and after vein treatments, including EVLA. Anyone that undergoes EVLA, sclerotherapy or other treatments for venous insufficiency must wear graduated compression stockings immediately following the procedure and during the recovery period. What some may not realize is that there are reasons to wear compression before treatment too.

Before a vein procedure, wearing compression stockings gives a person a snapshot of what vein health feels like. Since compression alleviates symptoms, it becomes easier for a phlebologist (vein specialist) to tease out, or confirm whether the leg pain is due to muscular-skeletal issues, the nervous system, or venous disease. Another benefit to wearing compression prior to treatment is that it’s good to confirm that the patient can tolerate stockings, and/or that the stockings fit properly. (After the procedure is the worst time to discover that the stockings don’t fit!)

Alternatively, many who think that they could never tolerate compression stockings try on a modern stocking and find them quite bearable. Since compression prevents the progression of vein disease and controls symptoms, some people may even decide to take a more conservative approach, rather than proceed with definitive treatment.

Q&A with the newest member of the VHC team

Meet Alison Scheib, PA-C! As a certified Physician Assistant, Ali supports Dr. Cindy Asbjornsen, founder of the Vein Healthcare Center. As a trained sclerotherapist, she performs ultrasound-guided and light-assisted sclerotherapy, a procedure for treating venous insufficiency, particularly smaller “spider veins.”

In addition to spending time with her husband (a fellow PA-C at a veterans hospital) and their two children, Ali loves outdoor activities like swimming and waterskiing. Read on to learn more about Ali.

Q:  What is a Physician Assistant?

A:  A physician assistant, or PA, is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional. PAs practice medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers and can prescribe medication. I earned my PA degree from the University of South Alabama and practiced Family Medicine for 15 years in Camden, Maine. 

Q:  How do you help patients at VHC?

A:  I perform ultrasound-guided and light assisted-sclerotherapy on patients, sometimes in follow-up to EVLA treatment. Dr. Asbjornsen and I work together as a team to treat each patient to achieve the best outcome. 

Q: What is your goal for each patient?

A: To make them feel better, both mentally and physically. After treatment, I want them to feel comfortable wearing shorts if that’s important to them. I want them to experience activities that they couldn’t do before because their legs were too sore or tired. I want them to be—and feel—healthier!

Q: Why are you a good fit for VHC?

A: I have the primary care background to see the patient as a whole person, not just the one ailment they’re seeking help for. And like the rest of the staff, I like to spend time with patients to make sure they are comfortable and understand their medical disease and treatment options. 

Q: What do you like the most about vein care?
A: I love being able to focus on one aspect of a patient's healthcare while still treating the "whole" person. I’m also excited that phlebology is still a fairly new specialty, and I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Asbjornsen on doing research that can continue to advance the field.

All in the family

Like the color of your eyes, varicose veins are a trait that runs in the family. Since venous disease does have a strong genetic component, it’s important for people to be aware of venous disease and its symptoms and, as with any illness, to know the family history.

If someone in your family has experienced vein disorders or has visible veins on their legs, your risk of the disease is much higher. For example, someone with first-degree family members with vein issues will find the risk is significantly increased.

But just because you watched your mother and your mother’s mother (and so on) suffer from painful and unsightly veins, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to the same fate. Even if you are not currently experiencing symptoms, an evaluation with an experienced phlebologist (vein specialist) can tell you the condition of your venous system, as well as possible interventions and prevention. Modern vein treatments, such as endovenous laser ablation and sclerotherapy, are minimally invasive and extremely effective.

Using ultrasound for vein treatment

Ultrasound is an essential tool in vein care, as well as non-invasive and comfortable for the patient. In addition to mapping a patient’s veins and diagnosing vein disorders, ultrasound is used throughout the treatment of veins, acting like the physician’s “eyes inside the leg.”

After a diagnostic ultrasound is performed and the doctor establishes a treatment plan to fix the problem, ultrasound may be used. In endovenous laser ablation for example, seeing where the healthy vein connects with the unhealthy vein is very important; ultrasound is the best modality to visualize this area.

Another example is ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, which uses the guidance of ultrasound to find leaking veins that are not visible and can’t be seen with a hand-held light used to view veins near the surface (transcutaneous illumination). Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is often used to treat perforator veins, or veins that connect the superficial system (above the muscles in the leg) to the deep system (veins under and between the muscles of the leg).     

After the vein treatment and a designated amount of time for healing, the physician will use ultrasound again to assess the effectiveness of the treatment plan.

Alternative treatments for vein disease

For many years, most patients solely accepted the traditional Western world approach to medicine and health. A lot has changed in the last two decades. Remedies that many once regarded as “wacky,” such as acupuncture and meditation, are now quite common. Ask any kid and she can show you at least one yoga pose. There are alternatives in vein care, as well.

While there are proven, minimally invastive treatments for venous disease— endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and sclerotherapy, chief among them— there is growing interest in the effectiveness of herbal supplements and alternative medications. 

Butcher’s broom, gotu kola and horse chestnut extract are just a few of the natural, plant-based medicines that are available over the counter. Diosmin, one citrus-based compound, is considered a “medical food” and is available with a doctor’s prescription. (We take a closer look in Vein Health News; just click on the “Women and Veins” issue and turn to page 12.)

Current research on these and other herbs is promising, but it’s important to remember that while herbal treatments may help eliminate symptoms, their benefits are limited to the period of time that the medication is being taken. They do not fix the underlying cause of the symptoms. 

Something else to note: alternative medications are not regulated in the U.S. If you are considering taking them, understand the proper dosage recommendations, risks, and side effects. Some herbal supplements can be toxic if taken improperly. Work with your doctor (ideally, a board-certified phlebologist) and stay safe!

Is it time to get a second opinion?

One way to take control of your own vein health (and overall health) is to seek a second opinion.

Second opinions are common in the field of medicine, including the area of vein health. In fact, second opinions are an essential part of effective diagnosis and treatment of venous disease.

In recent years, there have been many new developments in the treatment of varicose veins and other vein problems, and some doctors may not be familiar with minimally invasive treatment options, such as ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA).

If you have been told that there is no treatment for your venous symptoms-- or, if you have been told that your venous condition will resolve itself without any intervention-- you may be a good candidate for a second opinion.

Learn more about second opinions and some of the treatment options available, and take control of your vein health!

Spider Veins: Appearance or Something More?

Tiny, Web-Shaped Veins Could Be a Symptom of Venous Disease

Telangiectasia is the technical term, but most people know them as “spider veins.” The tiny red-, blue- or purple-colored veins occur just below the skin but are close enough to be seen on the surface. They may appear as short fine lines, clusters, or in a spider web shape.

Treating spider veins can improve appearance, and that can be a tremendous advantage for those struggling with them. But spider veins can also be an indication of early stage venous disease; treating them not only can improve appearance, but can also help stop the progression of venous disease at its source.

Are Your Spider Veins a Symptom of Venous Disease?

Vein health is a continuum, so while spider veins may appear minimal, there could be a larger vein ‘leaking’ underneath.

A basic understanding of how veins work can help one understand what causes disorders like spider veins. Veins carry blood from the legs and arms back to the heart. The blood in the legs travels up against gravity, so when the valves in the veins become damaged, blood “leaks” back into the legs and creates a “pooling” effect.

Treatment – For Your Overall Health

Effective treatment of spider veins begins with a thorough evaluation from a qualified phlebologist who will look for the source of the problem: the leaky valve or valves. An ultrasound is the best way to accurately determine the problem. Then, the physician can recommend the appropriate procedure or therapy.

Sclerotherapy is frequently used to treat spider veins. In this procedure, small needles provide access to the vein so that a sclerosing agent can be injected into the vein's interior wall. This substance causes the vein to become sticky and seal shut, allowing it to disappear. Blood then finds a healthy path back to the heart.

While these effective forms of treatment can be the solution to better looking legs, it's important to remember that they can be part of maintaining good health as well. You can learn more about spider veins and their treatment at The American College of Phlebology, where you can read about Vein Conditions and Treatment including information about sclerotherapy and other forms of treatment. You can also get the answers to common questions about vein disorders at the Vein Healthcare Center and request an appointment with a board certified phlebologist.