It’s one of those beauty myths we just can’t shake: if you cross your legs, you’ll get varicose veins. “No, no, no,” insists Dr. Joseph Naoum of the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center Vein Clinic, the expert I sought out to remedy my own leg discomfort. A lot of people suffer from varicose and spider veins – 15 percent of American men, 25 percent of women. Most sufferers can thank the onset of pregnancy (and the flush of changing hormones), standing occupations, obesity and genetics for the condition that often causes aching pain. In my own case, a single varicose vein in my left calf and the makings of others instigated my visit.

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