It seems like pain and swelling in your feet, and ankles are an integral part of modern life. It can happen if you stand, walk, or run for an extended period or even after wearing ill-fitting shoes. Modern diet and sedentary lifestyles are also not helping. While swelling in your feet and ankles is seldom a cause for concern, the pain and pressure you feel can be quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, with these 5 fixes, you can quickly get rid of pain and swelling in your legs and enjoy life again.
1. Compression socks
Compression socks are an excellent fix for swelling and pain because they prevent fluid accumulation in the legs. The socks compress/put pressure on your feet, boosting blood circulation. If you have never worn compression socks before, start with light ones; 15-20 mmgh until they feel comfortable, and then upgrade to a heavier pair.
2. Swimming
Moving your feet is the best way to improve blood flow in your feet and prevent fluid build-up. Unfortunately, walking or running is often what got you there in the first place. Other times, the swelling is accompanied by pain, so you can’t walk. In such scenarios, swimming is the best form of exercise. Not only will swimming move your feet but also bring the benefit of water therapy.
3. Salt bath
There is nothing like soaking in warm water after a long day on your feet. While water relaxes the veins and promotes blood flow, Epsom salt sucks all the toxins out of your skin and helps to reduce swelling and pain. You can also add some lemon in the water for its anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Ankle pumps
Elevating your legs above the heart is a tested and proven method to reduce swelling in the feet. This is because swelling happens when gravity pulls blood in your feet. Moving your
swollen ankles up and down as far as they can go when your feet are up will make the process more efficient. As you move your ankles, you are pumping the blood and fluid back to the body and giving your feet some relief.
5. Pain relief medication
The ultimate fix for pain and swelling in your feet is medication-topical or oral. If you are in extreme pain, taking ibuprofen, Tylenol, or aspirin tablet will give you some immediate relief. You can also apply a topical medication such as cream or ointment on the affected area to relieve pain. Gently massage the feet after applying the ointment to promote blood flow and get the medication inside there. Depending on the cause of the swelling, using a combination of these fixes will help. For example, you can wear compression socks during the day and do some ankle pumps when you get home. The idea is to relax the feet as much as you can so blood can flow freely and move away from the legs. If all these fixes fails and you still have pain and swelling in your legs, see a doctor to rule out underlying health conditions such as liver disease, heart failure, and clots.
