Many people suffer problems of inexplicable swelling of legs with no illness history. It is worth to understand that healthy blood circulation is an absolute must for healthy tissues.

Strong and steady blood flow allows for constant exchange of nutrients and waste at the cellular level, and also promotes healthy flow of fluid through the lymphatic system, which is a key component of the immune system.
Being active and minimizing intake of refined carbohydrates and damaged fats are arguably the most important requirements for healthy blood circulation.

Beyond taking these measures, a simple and powerful way of promoting strong and steady blood circulation throughout the legs is to massage the soft depression found at the back of the knees.

This area is called the popliteal fossa, and contains a number of blood vessels, nerves, and even components of the lymphatic system. By gently massaging this region, you can promote healthy blood flow and nerve tone throughout the lower extremities.
Worth to mention here is that by applying direct stimulation to vessels and nerves, you can actually encourage them to function at a high level.

It’s a basic law of life because lack of use leads to atrophy, while sensible use and stimulation of tissues invigorates them.

It should come as no surprise that a powerful acupuncture point is located right in your popliteal fossa and represent clusters of major blood vessels and nerves.

Getting back to the popliteal fossa, you can locate it by feeling the underside of your knee while you are seated and your knees are bent at 90 degrees.
Towards the thigh side of your popliteal fossa, you should feel tendons on both sides and these are tendons of your hamstring muscles.
Towards the calf side of your popliteal fossa, you should feel the inner and outer heads of your upper calf muscle (gastrocnemius).
With your knee bent, this soft, fleshy area should give enough with palpation to allow you to gently dig around and feel a tender point or two.

Located within your popliteal fossa are several lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels.
Popliteal artery, which is a continuation of your femoral artery these two arteries deliver blood to your entire lower limb.

Clearly, it’s always prudent to check with the doctor before one begins any program of self care, including pressure work in the popliteal fossa. It is especially prudent to get clearance from the doctor if there is no complaints of varicose veins or a family medical history of any health challenges related to compromised blood circulation.

But if you take things slow and listen to the body’s response to massage of the popliteal region, you can almost certainly stand to experience improved blood flow, nerve tone, and overall health throughout your lower extremities.

With the legs straight, especially when the leg muscles are taut while standing, you will not be able to access much of the contents of the popliteal fossa. So you need to be seated or even lying on your back, with your legs resting on a foam roller.

Even just sitting or lying in this position with gravity and your leg weight pushing your popliteal fossae into the foam roller can be enough to create positive effects on the vessels and nerves with in.

Once you’re comfortable in this position and you want to experience greater therapeutic value, try lifting your feet off the ground to increase pressure.

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