We’ve all had that feeling of a foot or leg falling asleep, or waking up to a “Charlie horse” in the middle of the night. However, proper leg circulation isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Poor circulation in the body can be caused by stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, obesity, and not enough sleep. It can also result from smoking, prolonged sitting, and specific medical conditions, such as diabetes. And having poor circulation can cause a variety of health conditions including high blood pressure, muscle cramps, cardiovascular disease, blood clots, leg ulcers, and varicose veins.

The Importance of Good Circulation

Proper circulation allows tissues and muscles in your legs to absorb nutrients rid themselves of waste and toxins. Circulation is essential for overall leg health and strength to perform daily tasks and support your body for the long-term. It also has an impact on cell growth in the body and the health and appearance of your skin.

Circulation-Boosting Lifestyle Habits

Fortunately, there are many things that you can do right now in your daily life to boost circulation in your legs and throughout your entire body.

• Don’t sit or stand in one position for long periods of time
• Uncross your legs while sitting
• Get active and exercise at least 30 minutes per day
• Practice yoga on a regular basis
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Don’t smoke cigarettes
• Try meditating to reduce stress
• Eat less salt
• Maintain a healthy body weight

There are also some natural foods, herbs, and supplements that may help boost your circulation if you don’t get enough nutrients in your daily diet. These include the following:

• Beets, which contain lots of inorganic nitrates
• Garlic
• Cayenne pepper
• Gingko
• Birch bark tea
• Fish oil
• Ginger
• Foods rich in vitamins C and E

Massage for Better Circulation

One of the best ways to get your blood moving and improve leg circulation is massage. However massage is a healthy, natural, and non-invasive treatment for restoring circulation to other parts of the body as well.

For example, facial treatments can detoxify and calm your skin and body while improving moisture and stimulate  circulation. Therapeutic dry and steam saunas can also help restore blood flow to the areas you need it most.

When to Seek Professional Help

However, if you are experiencing painful or uncomfortable symptoms as a result of improper circulation, it may be time to consult a medical professional.  Don’t let symptoms go on for too long because you could have an untreated illness, such as peripheral artery disease, which is a condition in which blood builds up in the arteries and prevents circulation to the legs.

Spa treatments may be recommended to improve circulation, as well as prescription medications for blood pressure and cholesterol. In severe cases, surgery could be required, but should be approached as a last resort if lifestyle habits and natural treatments aren’t enough.