4 Simple Steps to Relieve Foot Pain

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diabetic neuropathy, foot pain

DIABETIC NEUROPATHY: THE EXCRUCIATING PAIN YOU FEEL ALL THE TIME

Are you suffering from diabetic neuropathy, the excruciating foot pain when you walk, sit, or try to lie down and sleep?

It seems endless. No one can help. You’re on medications but really? You are still in pain.

There’s no way to explain the horrible pain you feel with this chronic symptom.

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So, let’s help you with this foot pain, shall we?

 

We know that neuropathy comes from the inability of oxygen to get to those nerves in your lower legs and feet.

What carries oxygen to the feet? Your blood vessels!

What’s in the blood vessels? Blood!

How do we open the blood vessels to get the blood which carries the oxygen to our lower legs and feet and stop this foot pain?

 

There are 4 Steps to Relieving Your Foot Pain.

 

#1 –  get a bucket of warm water that will cover your lower legs and feet. I really like this one because it is portable. Even though it is only 11 inches tall, it will not make you or your loved one have to raise their legs real high so it’s easy to get in and out of.

#2 – The water must be warmer than the rest of your body. This is important because your blood will flow to the area of least resistance so if we can open up those blood vessels in your lower legs and feet we can get the oxygen to those nerves and muscles. The water does not have to be real hot. It just needs to be warmer than the rest of your body which is 98.6°.

#3 – Once the water becomes cooler or you don’t feel the difference in the temperature you must immediately take your legs out of the water. You want to keep your blood vessels dilated by using WARM water. If you let the water get cold, you are closing those vessels!

#4 – make sure to dry your feet completely and put on these socks or something like it. I like the fact that they cover your angles, will keep you warm, and will not allow you to slip. Socks that cover only the feet leave the ankles and lower legs exposed to get cold again.

 

If you have issues getting up from the chair…

 

Also, if you or your loved one has mobility issues, then I recommend a second chair right next to where you soak your feet. Put a non-slip foot mat that will stand the test of time and keep your loved one from slipping. Now you can dry off your feet and put on your socks without kicking the bucket of water aside or worse, dropping your sock in it.

Do this twice a day: once in the morning for 10 minutes making sure the water stays warmer than your body. And once in the evening for another 10 minutes.

But Suzanne how do I know if the water is warming than my body?

That’s easy, it feels warm. If you want to know what your internal temperature is, there’s a really weird way…feel your urine as it comes out. Then wash your hands.

Or… stick your hand in water you think is the same temperature as your hand. If you can feel it as hot or cold, it is not the same temperature. If you can’t feel the water, it’s the same temperature! Try it!

 

Is There A Better Way to Relieve This Foot Pain?

 

Well, doctors can operate on your legs to try and open your arteries and try to get rid of the foot pain.

But if you could do this by using heat twice a day, wouldn’t you do this first?

 

Here are the do NOTS:

  • Do not use a heating pad, it doesn’t work.
  • Do not take a bath. If you put your whole body in a tub or hot water you are opening all the blood vessels at once. The point of soaking only your lower legs and feet is to DIRECT the blood to that area only.
  • Do not soak just the feet. You need the lower legs to open those vessels to get the blood to the feet.
  • Don’t just soak. Use this time to tighten and relax your feet and leg muscles 30 times. I like to crunch my toes and then relax to do this. It makes my muscles help move the blood through the vessels.
  • Do not walk until your feet are completely dry. I use this non-slip mat and non-slip socks because wet floors and wet feet mean falls.

 

An Added Benefit to Soaking!!

 

I had an 86-year-old patient come in with the most gorgeous legs. I asked her how she kept her legs looking so nice and if she did ads for lower legs.

“She just smiled and said I’ve soaked them every night all my life. My mom said it calmed me down and helped me sleep better.” Hmmm.
Remember to always check with your doctor before changing any plan or treatment.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that have read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice, or other institution.

About the Author

Do you feel frustrated with your medical care? Do doctors spend 5 minutes with you, push you out of the office, with you wondering what's going to happen? Does your insurance deny paying? You're not alone. I'm frustrated, too. This is a growing trend in healthcare. Having seen pre-insurance medicine (yes, my dad was an old country doctor), I grew up watching him spend time with his patients, giving them the best care he had to offer. I saw families trust him to help them through hospitalizations and the next crisis. As a patient advocate, my job is to see that you get the right diagnosis, the right treatment plans, and the right supplies and education to make good decisions about your health. More importantly, I will teach you the tricks of the healthcare trade. We need more healthcare consumer protection, especially for chronic illnesses like diabetes. This is what I am passionate about. I make it happen every day with thousands of patients who now know what I know about beating the healthcare system and getting the best patient care...Patient Best.

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HEALTH DISCLAIMER

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that has been read on this blog or in any linked materials. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately. The opinions and views expressed on this blog and website have no relation to those of any academic, hospital, health practice or other institution. Nor does this material constitute a provider-patient relationship between the reader and the author. 

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