Venous insufficiency is caused by problems in one or more deep leg veins. Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing back towards the heart so it does not collect in one place. Varicose veins have valves that are either missing or damaged. This causes the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you are standing. There also might be a blockage in a vein from a clot known as deep vein thrombosis.
Venous insufficiency and edema can be a long term condition.
Chronic venous insufficiency is a long term condition. It occurs because of partial vein blockage or blood leakage around the valves of the veins.
Symptoms include dull aching, heaviness, cramping, itching and tingling. Pain that worsens with standing and gets better when the legs are raised along with swelling are common symptoms. Some people might also experience redness or color change around the ankles and legs. Varicose veins on the surface, ulcers on the legs and hardening or thickening of the skin are also known symptoms.
Risk factors for venous insufficiency include, family history of deep vein thrombosis, age, obesity, pregnancy, prolonged standing, being tall and is sometimes related to levels of the hormone progesterone.

Customized and compassionate care programs.
Patients suffering from edema often have a complex set of medical issues and require highly specialized care, especially if there is wound involvement. Our services, under the direction of Kim Marshall, DPT, who is a certified lymphedema specialist, brings a wealth of clinical experience combined with current and advanced wound care protocols to create personalized programs to help reduce swelling, prevent and/or reduce wounds, all in an effort to restore health and avoid hospitalizations. Providing education for home self-management is a key component of the treatment process. To ensure continuity of care, Kim often collaborates with a patient’s medical team when needed.
Who can benefit from wound care treatment.
Physical therapy wound care is for patients who have open wounds as a result of pressure, vascular insufficiency, trauma, surgery, and/or diabetes. The most common wounds that are treated by wound care physical therapist are:
- Necrotic wounds
- Stage III, IV or unstageable pressure ulcers
- Diabetic wounds
- Chronic wounds
- Venous and/or arterial wounds
- Extremity wounds with edema
- Non-healing surgical wounds

Complete decongestive therapy used in lymphedema treatment can be effective therapy for edema and swelling.
The same treatment used to treat lymphedema can be effective in addressing chronic venous insufficiency. Complete Congestive Therapy which involves the use of bandages, skin care, manual lymph drainage and therapeutic exercise to promote blood flow. After the swelling has been reduced, the patient is measured and fitted with compression stockings which will helps to decrease chronic swelling. Wound care is needed if there is an infection or any skin breakdown. Surgery or noninvasive treatments are sometimes recommended.
Our lymphedema, venous insufficiency, and wound care treatment programs are offered exclusively in our Garden Grove office. We are located next to the Garden Grove hospital conveniently located near the 22, 5, & 57 freeways. Our medical facility offers free parking.