Most people with arthritis are faced with foot pain. There are a variety of ways to relieve the pain. The following are some tips.
1.Creams, gels, and lotions
Topical creams, gels, and lotions can be rubbed directly onto the feet. As the feet absorb the ingredients, temporary relief from foot pain may be achieved. Try to look for products with the content of capsaicin, salicylates, camphor, or menthol. Choose the one with the best performance.
2.Choose suitable form of exercise
Exercise helps keep the joints mobile. Regular exercise, especially during the winter when joints can seize up in the cold weather, is really important. Exercise can help keep your joints supple and may even help reduce some of the pain. Remember to choose mild exercises like swimming and cycling that don’t put more pressure on the feet. Strenuous exercise is not good for the feet and will only cause additional foot pain.
3.Pick the right footwear
For people with arthritis, comfortable and supportive shoes are the best choice as they can make walking more comfortable. The right shoes should be wide enough so that they do not put press on any bunions or calluses. Try to avoid high heels, narrow-toed shoes and pointy-toed shoes, since they press the feet balls. Besides, arch support is essential to stabilize joints that are moving more than they should, which can happen with arthritis. Good arch support will help distribute the weight evenly on the entire foot.
4.Foot massage
Foot massage can bring a number of benefits. It can not only improve the blood circulation, but also reduce inflammation. In particular, deep-tissue massage can help to enhance the flexibility of foot as well as reduce stiffness and the uncomfortable feeling in feet. This allows people with arthritis to perform gentle stretching and some other exercises, which can also bring better feelings to the feet.
5.Shoe inserts
Shoe inserts can function in many ways. First, they can redistribute weight and relieve pressure on sensitive areas of the feet. Second, they provide cushioning that reduces stress or biomechanical load on the lower body. Last but not least, they may also correct gait and structural abnormalities. Therefore, shoe inserts are especially useful for people with arthritis.
6.Arthritis-friendly diet
A fiber-rich diet can have a positive influence on arthritis, which can lead to stronger bones and joints. Having a high fibre diet supports healthy digestion and the absorption of nutrients, which is essential for optimum bone health. High fibre foods include dark leafy green vegetables, grains like oats, brown rice, barley, and quinoa, and seeds like sesame, pumpkin, pine and sunflower, to name a few. Besides, it is also important to include lots of anti-oxidants in the diet. They can help to flush out any nasty toxins from the body. Foods that are rich in anti-oxidants include cherries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, beetroots, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.
Apart from the above tips, tea or ginger wraps, antiperspirant, surgeries, targeted medications, local steroid injections may also help. Try to find the methods that are suitable for you and stick to them.