How raising your feet can reduce swelling
ARE your lower legs painful or do your ankles tend to swell? And are your hands and feet often cold? If so, you may be suffering from poor circulation. It’s a common problem, especially as people get older. But that doesn’t make it any less painful. Symptoms include cramping in the muscles, pins and needles, and chilblains. And it only gets worse in the winter. Taking a warm bath, exercising, drinking more water and eating the right foods, such as oily fish, can help to improve matters. And so can sitting in the right position. Doctors often suggest raising the feet above the level of the hips. A made-to-fit rise and recline chair with a high leg-lift motor is the best and safest way to achieve this. It gently tilts your chair back, helping you elevate your feet while keeping you in a comfortable, 90-degree sitting position. This helps blood flow back from your legs to the heart, reducing pain and swelling. It also opens up the airways, making it easier to breathe. If you often wake up with swollen feet and ankles you may also benefit from raising your feet overnight. With an adjustable bed, you can find the sleeping position that offers the right support for your body. Raising your upper body can reduce the pressure on your lower back and even reduce the symptoms of COPD. Poor circulation isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It can lead to more serious conditions, so it is a good idea to do all that you can to alleviate it.