Frequently Asked Questions

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that appear most often in the legs, caused by weakened vein walls and faulty valves that let blood pool instead of flowing back to the heart. They can be blue, purple, or flesh-toned, and often bulge above the skin’s surface.

Spider veins are smaller, thread-like veins closer to the skin’s surface, usually red or blue, and don’t bulge the way varicose veins do. They’re generally a cosmetic concern, while varicose veins can also cause physical symptoms like aching or swelling.

The most common cause is chronic venous insufficiency — when the one-way valves inside your veins weaken and let blood flow backward and pool. Prolonged standing or sitting, pregnancy, excess weight, and aging all raise the pressure on leg veins and increase your risk.

Yes — genetics play a significant role. If one or both of your parents had varicose veins, your own risk is considerably higher, though family history doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop them.

Aching, heaviness, or throbbing in the legs, visible bulging veins, ankle swelling, itching or burning skin, and restless legs at night are all common. Symptoms often worsen after long periods of standing and ease when you elevate your legs.

Yes — venous insufficiency is a progressive condition, so the pressure and pooling tend to increase gradually rather than resolve on their own. Early treatment is generally simpler than treatment after the condition has advanced.

Not exactly — chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is the underlying circulatory problem, and varicose veins are one of its most visible symptoms. You can have CVI with or without visibly bulging veins, which is why a proper ultrasound evaluation matters.

For many patients they’re both — varicose veins are frequently a sign of an underlying medical condition, chronic venous insufficiency, not just an appearance concern.

Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to skin changes, chronic swelling, painful ulcers near the ankle, and in some cases blood clots. Risk and severity vary a lot from person to person.

Yes. Varicose veins can lead to superficial vein thrombosis — a clot in a vein close to the skin’s surface — and even to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot in the deeper veins of the leg that can be serious. Any sudden pain, redness, warmth, or swelling in your leg should be checked promptly.

If you’re noticing aching, swelling, skin discoloration, or veins becoming more prominent, it’s a good time to book a consultation rather than wait. Many patients also choose to be evaluated once veins become visibly bulging, even without symptoms.

Compression stockings manage symptoms — reducing swelling and discomfort — but they don’t correct the faulty valves causing the problem. They’re often used before or after treatment, not as a substitute for it.

Exercise, elevating your legs, and maintaining a healthy weight can slow progression and ease symptoms, but they can’t reverse veins that have already become varicose. Once a vein’s valves have failed, only medical treatment addresses the vein itself.

Varicose veins don’t go away on their own. Without treatment, venous insufficiency gets worse over time and can lead to swelling, skin changes, painful ulcers near the ankle, and blood clots. Treating it early is simpler and helps prevent these complications.

Four minimally invasive procedures: Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT), ClariVein, VenaSeal, and sclerotherapy. Which one is right for you depends on the size, location, and severity of the affected veins, determined during your consultation and ultrasound.

EVLT uses a thin laser fiber inserted into the diseased vein to seal it shut from the inside, redirecting blood flow to healthy veins nearby. It’s performed under local anesthetic in-office and typically takes under an hour.

ClariVein combines a rotating catheter with a medical solution to close the vein without using heat. Many patients find it more comfortable than laser treatment, since it requires little to no local anesthetic.

VenaSeal uses a small amount of medical adhesive delivered through a catheter to seal the diseased vein closed. Because it doesn’t use heat or extensive numbing, most patients return to normal activity the same day, usually with little or no need for compression stockings afterward.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into smaller varicose or spider veins, causing them to collapse and fade over the following weeks. It’s especially effective for surface-level veins that aren’t good candidates for catheter-based procedures.

That depends on the size and depth of the affected veins, your medical history, and your own priorities around downtime and comfort — exactly what your consultation and ultrasound are for.

All four treatments we offer have strong published closure rates, generally in the 90%+ range for appropriately selected patients. Your specialist will discuss the expected outcome for your specific case during your consultation.

Most patients describe mild discomfort rather than pain, thanks to local anesthetic and the minimally invasive nature of the procedures. Any soreness afterward is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief and resolves within a few days.

Most adults with symptomatic varicose veins, visible spider veins, or diagnosed venous insufficiency are candidates. Your diagnostic ultrasound confirms which veins are involved and which procedure fits best.

Varicose veins that appear during pregnancy often improve on their own within several months after delivery, so treatment is typically deferred until after. If you’re planning a future pregnancy, it’s worth discussing timing with your specialist.

There’s no strict upper age limit — candidacy depends more on your overall vein health than age alone. We generally recommend patients be over 18, since venous insufficiency in younger patients has different underlying causes.

Yes — while varicose veins are more common in women, a substantial share of our patients are men, and the same range of treatments applies equally.

Yes, and many return to training faster than they expect. Your specialist will give you activity-specific guidance based on the procedure you have.

Active blood clots (deep vein thrombosis), certain circulation conditions, and pregnancy are the main reasons treatment would be delayed or ruled out. Your consultation and ultrasound confirm you’re a safe candidate.

Yes. Because your consultation and diagnostic ultrasound are covered by OHIP, we need a referral from your family doctor or another physician before your first appointment. Without a referral you can still be seen, but you pay for the consultation and ultrasound yourself. If you have questions about getting a referral, give us a call.

Your diagnostic ultrasound is done before you see the physician. You’ll then meet with one of our physicians, who will review the ultrasound results with you, discuss your symptoms and medical history, recommend a treatment plan, and answer any questions before you decide anything.

A venous ultrasound is standard before any procedure — it lets your specialist see exactly which veins are affected and rule out clots or deeper circulatory issues. It is done before your consultation, so your physician can go over the results with you.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a pair of shorts, avoid applying lotion to your legs the day of treatment, and arrange for a ride home if your specialist recommends it. You’ll get specific instructions once your treatment is scheduled.

For most procedures, patients are able to drive themselves home and resume light activity the same day. Your specialist will let you know if your case calls for anything different.

Let your specialist know about any blood thinners or other medications during your consultation — some may need adjusting beforehand. Never stop a prescribed medication without checking with the doctor who prescribed it.

That’s common, and worth mentioning at your consultation — most of our procedures involve only local anesthetic, and your specialist can walk you through exactly what you’ll feel at each step beforehand.

Most patients walk out of the clinic and return to their normal routines within a day or two. After EVLT, ClariVein, and sclerotherapy you’ll wear compression stockings for two to four weeks; VenaSeal usually requires little or no compression.

Many patients return to desk work the next day, and to full activity, including exercise, within one to two weeks depending on the procedure. Your specialist will give you a personalized timeline before you leave your appointment.

For EVLT, ClariVein, and sclerotherapy, yes — typically for two to four weeks to support healing and circulation. VenaSeal usually requires little or no compression afterward.

Mild bruising, tenderness, or tightness along the treated vein are common and temporary. Serious complications are uncommon with these minimally invasive procedures, and your specialist reviews the specific risks for your treatment beforehand.

The treated vein itself doesn’t return once it’s closed, but new varicose veins can develop elsewhere over time, especially if you’re genetically predisposed. Regular follow-up helps catch and treat any new veins early.

EVLT, ClariVein, and VenaSeal are usually single-session treatments per vein. Sclerotherapy for spider veins or smaller varicose veins often involves multiple sessions spaced a few weeks apart for the best cosmetic result.

Every patient is unique, so there is no single price for vein treatment. The cost depends on which veins are affected, whether one or both legs need treatment, and which procedure is right for you, such as VenaSeal, EVLT, ClariVein or sclerotherapy. Your doctor reviews your ultrasound results with you at your consultation, recommends a treatment plan, and then discusses the cost with you before anything is booked.

In Ontario, with a doctor’s referral, OHIP covers your consultation and diagnostic ultrasound. Vein treatment itself is not covered. A Health Spending Account can be used, and payment plans are available.

With a referral, OHIP covers your consultation and diagnostic ultrasound, but it does not cover the treatment itself — EVLT, ClariVein, and VenaSeal are paid out of pocket or claimed through other coverage. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the diagnostic ultrasound is not covered by provincial health insurance. We’re upfront about costs from your first call.

If you have a Health Spending Account (HSA) through your employer, it can be used toward the cost of your vein treatment. Otherwise, coverage under private and employer-sponsored health plans varies from plan to plan, so please check directly with your insurance provider before your procedure. We can provide documentation from your consultation to support a claim.

Medically necessary vein treatment often qualifies as an eligible expense under the CRA’s medical expense tax credit. We recommend confirming with your accountant or the CRA directly, since eligibility depends on your individual tax situation.

We offer financing plans to help spread the cost of treatment over time. Ask our team about current plans when you book your consultation.

We have 15 clinics across Ontario and Atlantic Canada, including Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, and Moncton. Visit our locations page to find the clinic closest to you.

Ask your family doctor or another physician to send us a referral, then call our toll-free line at 1-888-876-8346 or use the booking form on our website to request an appointment at your preferred location.

Yes — virtual consultations are available for an initial discussion of your symptoms and options, though an in-person ultrasound is required before any procedure is scheduled. Ask our team when booking if a virtual visit fits your situation.