Vein Care Services

If enlarged, noticeable veins in your legs cause discomfort, call the specialists at Essentia Health. Trust our team to diagnose and treat spider veins and varicose veins so you can feel healthier and more confident. We offer vein care services in Duluth and Brainerd, Minnesota. No referral is needed.

When To See a Vein Specialist

Call us to learn about treatment options for your varicose or spider veins if you experience:

• Leg pain, aching, tiredness, itching, heaviness, or swelling
• Skin color changes around the ankle or lower leg
• Swelling of the veins
• Discomfort with your appearance

Varicose and spider veins can affect more than just your appearance. They may mean you’re at risk for bleeding, blood clots, ulcers (open sores), or a circulatory disorder.

Conditions Treated

See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.

Comprehensive Vein Care Services

Partner with a vein care team led by a specialist from vascular medicine, interventional radiology or general surgery. Expect Essentia’s specialists to diagnose your vein condition, listen, answer questions, and work with you to create a treatment plan. Count on Essentia’s staff to talk about your goals and preferences and recommend safe and effective treatments.

Lifestyle Changes

In some cases, you’ll find relief from lifestyle changes, such as:

• Exercise
• Losing weight if you’re overweight
• Raising your legs
• Wearing compression stockings, also called support stockings

What Are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged veins that are visible through the skin. They may look like blue or purple twisted, knot-like cords.

The veins become swollen because weak or damaged valves let blood leak backward and collect there.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins, also called reticular veins, are a small group of small, thin blood vessels close to your skin’s surface. They look like a sunburst or spider web.

Spider veins can be caused by a backup of blood, hormone changes, sun exposure, or injury.

Risk Factors for Varicose & Spider Veins

You may be at higher risk of developing a vein condition if you:

• Are older
• Are a woman
• Are pregnant
• Carry excess weight
• Have a family history of varicose veins
• Stand or sit for long periods of time

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Depend on Essentia for effective and convenient outpatient vein procedures in a private and comfortable setting. You’ll experience quick relief from your symptoms with advanced, minimally invasive procedures, such as:

• Thermal ablation – Uses a laser or radiofrequency energy to dissolve visible veins, leaving clear, healthy skin
• Sclerotherapy – Injects a solution into your blood vessel, causing it to close and fade away over time
• Microphlebectomy – Removes a varicose vein through tiny incisions
• VenaSeal™ closure system – Uses a medical glue injected through a small catheter to close varicose veins with little to no discomfort or downtime

Most people have an improvement of symptoms within one to two weeks after their procedure, as well as little or no scarring, bruising, or swelling.

Paying for Treatment

Most insurance companies cover treatments for varicose veins when they’re medically necessary or when lifestyle changes don’t improve symptoms. The first consultation to see if your symptoms are related to a vein problem is usually covered. Treatments for cosmetic reasons aren’t usually covered, but Essentia offers competitive rates.