Swollen ankles, feet, and legs may benefit from Therapeutic Reflexology; read more in today’s post.
Oedema (Edema) is a condition where your ankles, feet, and legs may be swollen or larger than usual due to excess fluid that builds up in those areas that may be caused by numerous different factors like:
- Dehydration may actually cause swelling
- Eating too much salt
- Pregnancy
- Sitting for extended periods like on a long flight or during a day seminar
- Sitting in the same position for an extended period of time
- Standing for extended periods of time
- Some medication may cause oedema or has oedema or water retention as a side-effect.
When dealing with oedema, it may be beneficial to consult with a diagnostic practitioner for a diagnosis, especially if you are on allopathic (chronic) medication that may possibly cause oedema. Knowing the cause of the oedema is usually a good starting point in order to deal with it effectively. If you are pregnant, it is normal to experience oedema in the ankles, feet, and legs that may worsen as the pregnancy progresses, but it may be beneficial to bring it to the attention of your Obstetrician-Gynaecologist.
Apart from the usual medical treatment for oedema, there are certain lifestyle factors that may be beneficial to keep in mind:
- Drink enough water; it may sound strange to drink more water especially when you have swollen ankles, feet, and legs, but not drinking enough water may lead to dehydration that may actually worsen oedema; it is important to stay hydrated.
- When you sit, raise your legs.
- Do sufficient exercise; walking is very good to improve circulation.
- Do not sit for too long; if you have to, make sure that you get up regularly to stretch your legs and move around.
- Adjust your diet. Follow a low-sodium or low-salt diet that may help with reducing swelling and the buildup of fluid. Avoid, or at least drastically reduce the intake of refined foods, carbohydrates like white bread and pasta, and sugar. Eat food with high potassium like bananas.
- Use natural anti-inflammatories like fresh lemon in water that may help to reduce swelling.
- The use of compression socks may help with the swelling.
- If oedema is severe, the use of a diuretic may be needed. There are various natural diuretics available from fruits like grapes and grapefruit, to natural products like green tea and black tea, to certain herbal products, so allopathic diuretics. It is always advisable to consult with a diagnostic practitioner before using a medication, even before using over-the-counter natural or herbal medications, especially if you are already using medication because you do not want the products to clash with each other and cause any other problems or severe reactions.
Therapeutic Reflexology is an excellent therapy to use to assist with the alleviation of oedema because it improves circulation in the body while stimulating the elimination of waste, toxins, and excess fluids. Therapeutic Reflexology is a formally regulated healthcare modality that has the potential to help with oedema. One patient comes to mind that regularly travelled overseas for work and each time she returned from such a flight, she consulted with me because the Therapeutic Reflexology sessions helped to reduce the swelling and after one or two treatments oedema totally disappeared. As I regularly work with pregnant patients, I treat many patients with oedema; some experience immediate relief while others find relief after a few sessions, but most pregnant patients experience ongoing oedema as the pregnancy progress, although alleviation of the oedema is often experienced. Each person reacts differently to Therapeutic Reflexology treatment.
If you are dealing with oedema, why not give Therapeutic Reflexology a try; what do you have to lose, except for the swelling?
Make your appointment today, but ensure you go to a properly qualified and formally registered, and regulated Therapeutic Reflexologist; you deserve only the best possible treatment.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude) [IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243