Having one of those days? It may even be painful to get out of bed and move around. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, the day-to-day tasks can be difficult. Eventually, there’s a good chance that it will begin to affect your feet and ankles. The many joints in your feet and ankles can become inflamed, as with any other joints in the body.
But don’t get too down about it. While arthritis affects everyone differently, there are ways to figure out how to deal with your symptoms. If you keep track of your symptoms, your food and activity triggers, and amount of sleep you get, there’s a good chance that a few lifestyle changes can help to minimize your symptoms.
The following are ways to care for your arthritic feet:
●Keep stress levels low. Too much stress can aggravate the inflammation problem and worsen pain. Find ways to relieve stress and methods to deal with stressful situations, such as meditation and yoga.
●Avoid foods that trigger inflammation, such as sugary or fried foods. Instead, increase anti-inflammatory foods such as ginger, nuts, and salmon, which have Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
●Physical therapy and exercise can reduce painful symptoms. Stretch muscles and tissues that affect joints, such as the Achilles tendon. Walking and swimming can help keep in shape. However, high-impact activities can make the pain worse.
●Get a foot massage and make sure to schedule time for rest. Pampering the feet can help reduce joint stiffness. Using Epsom salt in a warm foot soak can help reduce swelling.
●Apply a pain-relief topical cream or ointment with capsaicin (which interrupts pain signals), or take anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs.
●Wear the right shoes. Over-the-counter orthotic inserts may help, but you may need custom orthotics to reduce painful symptoms. At home, wear cushioned slippers and place foam mats where you tend to stand for long periods of time.
If you are cannot find relief from your arthritic feet with some of these tips, consult with our board-certified podiatrist, Dr. Brad Toll at Crofton Podiatry. Make an appointment by calling (410) 721-4505. Our team is ready to assist you at our Crofton, MD office, which also serves the surrounding Gambrills, Odenton, and Bowie areas.