When you have arthritis, you may experience a lot of pain and discomfort in your feet. Different parts of your feet can cause you discomfort while walking or standing, including the heel, ball of your foot, ankle or toes. Here are some different ways to take care of your feet if you have arthritis to lessen the discomfort you experience.
Get Proper Circulation
Your feet always need circulation, but especially when you have arthritis. To get more circulation to your feet, keep them moving when you are able to. Walk regularly unless it is causing you pain; if that's the case, then you need to see your podiatrist (which is a foot specialist). Others ways to get circulation to your feet including taking a warm foot bath, getting a foot massage, and putting your feet up if you are lying down. If you are sitting for a long period of time, make sure you stretch regularly.
Check Your Feet Often
When you have arthritis, you are at risk of causing more injury to your feet. Make sure to check them often, looking for any bumps, sores, or discolored areas. Are they hurting more than usual? Do you have an odd sensation when walking or standing? Don't ignore these signs, but let your foot doctor know. You should never ignore problems with your feet.
Avoid Bad Habits
There are also some bad habits that you need to be sure you don't keep doing, as it can make matters worse. Prevention is a great way to deal with arthritis of your feet and avoid more serious problems. Make sure you don't cause too much pressure on your feet from shoes that are too tight or not the right size. Do not sit for too long without stretching, and try to avoid exposing your feet to cold temperatures. Wear warm socks and comfortable, padded shoes in the winter. You should also not smoke, as it can reduce circulation to your feet.
Get the Right Size Shoes
If you are having trouble finding shoes that fit you properly or simply don't know your size, visit a shoe store and have your feet professionally measured. The size of your feet can change when you get older, so you want to make sure you are wearing the correct size. The best time of the day for measuring your feet is at the end of the day, as your feet are lightly larger at this time. Since you probably have one foot larger than the other, use the measurement from the larger foot. You also need to select shoes based on special circumstances, such as having wide feet or flat feet.
If you have arthritis and notice any foot problems, do not hesitate to make an appointment with your podiatrist.
Share26 January 2015
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