A Foot to Stand On

5 Tips To Manage Osteoarthritis In Your Feet

by Grace Ortiz

Osteoarthritis can occur in many parts of your body, including your feet. The condition can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in your feet, making it difficult to participate in normal activities. The good news is that you can take steps to relieve your discomfort and live a normal life again.

Here are a few useful tips to manage osteoarthritis in your feet.

Wear the Proper Shoes

When you suffer from osteoarthritis in your feet, the shoes you wear become of the utmost importance. Select shoes that are wide enough for your feet and come with proper arch support. You will want to avoid high heels as much as possible, as they can put more pressure on your feet.

Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

If you have osteoarthritis in your feet, you may feel the pain quite often. An easy way to relieve your discomfort is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen. This type of medication can help alleviate the swelling that comes from this condition, ultimately reducing your discomfort.

Do Not Ignore Heel Pain

Although toes frequently feel the brunt of osteoarthritis, your heels can also feel the impact of your condition. If you start to feel pain in your heel, do not just brush it off. See your podiatrist as soon as possible to address the condition.

Avoid High-Impact Workouts

High-impact workouts can definitely help you burn a lot of calories and get into great shape. However, if you suffer from osteoarthritis in your feet, high-impact exercises are not for you. They can put extra pressure on your feet and increase your discomfort.

This is not to say that you should stop exercising completely. You should just stick to low-impact exercises that are easier on your feet, such as walking and swimming.

Lose Weight

Are you currently overweight? If so, you should think about dropping at least a few pounds. After all, your feet have to support your body weight on a daily basis. If you are carrying around too much weight, it can put extra stress on your feet, worsening your osteoarthritis.

If you improve your diet and exercise routine, you can lose weight and get control of the osteoarthritis in your feet.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can relieve osteoarthritis in your feet. If you have additional questions about osteoarthritis, you should make an appointment to see a podiatrist as soon as possible.

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