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ARE YOU COPING WITH SWELLING FEET AND ANKLES? SEE SOME OF THESE NATURAL SOLUTIONS TO HELP RELIEVE SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES!

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Swelling in your
feet and ankles is called edema, and there are a lot of things that can cause
the problem, from high blood pressure to pregnancy. What’s happening is your
body is having trouble fighting gravity to move blood and fluids back up your
legs, so your ankles, feet, and even your legs can begin to swell.
Edema on its own is
not harmful, but it is uncomfortable. If you are seeing one foot or leg
swelling a lot more than the other or your face is swelling, you do want to
call your doctor, because the cause could be a blood clot, and you don’t want
to wait to address that problem.
That uncomfortable
swelling is not actually a disorder, just a symptom, and the best way to treat
it is to treat the root cause. If you’re swelling because of pregnancy, it
should go down not long after you deliver. Talk to your doctor to see what
could be causing your swelling. BOLA AKINBOADE-BELLO brings to you these
remedies that can help give you some relief while you sort out the cause of
your edema.
HERE ARE 10 NATURAL
REMEDIES FOR SWOLLEN FEET AND ANKLES
TRY A MAGNESIUM
SUPPLEMENT
Magnesium
deficiency can contribute to edema, and taking a supplement can help give you
some relief. Most of the recommendations I’ve seen are for 200mg twice a day,
but if you’re pregnant you’ll want to talk to your doctor about that first. The
RDA for magnesium is 350mg per day, and your doctor might not want you taking
an extra 400mg, since you’re also probably getting magnesium in your prenatal
vitamin and your diet.
DO A LITTLE YOGA
Exercise can help
improve your circulation, and yoga is a great way to get moving and really
focus on that circulatory system. Of course, you’ll want to talk to your doctor
before starting up with yoga, especially if you haven’t been doing it before.
If you’re totally new to yoga, I highly recommend taking a class. A yoga
instructor can not only help you overcome any hesitations you have about yoga,
but s/he will make sure you are doing the poses properly and might even be able
to suggest additional postures to help with your edema! Once you have a swing
of how the poses feel, you can practice at home.

GRAB SOME
GRAPEFRUIT ESSENTIAL OIL
A warm bath can
also help with swelling, and you can give that water a boost with a few drops
of grapefruit essential oil! You can also just fill a bucket with nice, warm
water to soak in.
If baths aren’t
your thing, you can also mix a few drops of grapefruit oil with carrier oil
like olive or sweet almond oil and give yourself a little foot and leg massage.
As you rub your feet, ankles, and calves, focus your pressure upward, rather
than downward or in a circular motion.
SOAK IN TONIC WATER
This one might
sound a little odd, but soaking in room temperature – or cold, if it’s not too
uncomfortable – tonic water can help with swelling. The quinine and the bubbles
can help reduce inflammation, and frankly just soaking your swollen feet feels
great.
TREAT YOURSELF TO A
MASSAGE
A massage therapist
can do wonders for swollen feet and ankles! Don’t be shy about mentioning the problem
when you get to your appointment, so s/he can focus on getting things moving in
your lower extremities.
If you are
pregnant, I’d recommending finding a therapist who specializes in prenatal
massage. A prenatal massage therapist will be much more knowledgeable about how
to make you comfortable.
DO A SALT WATER
SOAK
Adding a healthy
dose of Epsom salts to the tub is another way to boost that bath. Like the
grapefruit oil, you can also just use a bucket, if you’re only having swelling
in your feet and ankles. If your calves are swollen, too, a bath is probably
your best bet.
GET SOME SUPPORT
HOSE
Support hose or
compression gear can prevent swelling, especially from being on your feet. You
can find compression socks that come knee- or thigh-high or full-on compression
stockings. These suckers are hard to get on, because they’re meant to be pretty
tight on your legs, but they can really make a difference.
I have read a lot
of great experiences with compression socks, but I’ve found that they start out
feeling amazing, and after about four hours they start to make the feet cramp.
You can find footless compression stockings, so if you experience the same
problem, that might be a good solution for you.
ELEVATE THOSE FEET
Gravity is not your
friend when it comes to edema, so elevate your feet every chance you get! When
you’re relaxing in the evening, prop your legs up on some pillows. If you work
a day job, try to find a way to prop your feet up under your desk. Even
elevating a bit can make a big difference in your swelling as the day goes on.
DRINK UP!
Excess salt is a
big contributor to swelling, and upping your fluid intake can help dilute the
salt in your system. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day to flush things out.
Try making cucumber-lemon water! Just drop a couple of cucumber and lemon
slices in your glass, and enjoy! Both of these fruits have anti-inflammatory
properties, so it gives that water an extra swelling-fighting punch.
MAKE A SPLASH
Swimming or even
floating in water can help with swollen feet and ankles. The pressure from the
water can help get things moving in your legs and floating gives your
circulatory system a break from gravity’s constant pull. If you don’t have a
pool, check out local gyms to see what they offer.
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