Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people with a skin condition called psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis can result in joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. These symptoms can worsen your mobility and decrease your quality of life significantly, especially when your feet are affected.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for foot psoriatic arthritis. But following some simple recommendations can help keep your feet healthy. Keep reading to discover more about how to preserve feet health with psoriatic arthritis.
1. Use orthopedic inserts
Orthopedic inserts are recommended for many foot conditions including psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis often causes structural changes that result in other conditions like hammertoes and bunions. Orthopedic inserts help redistribute the weight and reduce pressure on the vulnerable areas. While you can opt for orthotics in most drugstores, it is recommended to visit the foot doctor and order a customized shoe insert designed specifically for your feet.
2. Wear sneakers
A comfortable walking shoe with good shock absorption is essential for people with foot psoriatic arthritis. Visit the athletic store and try several different models and brands of athletic shoes. That way you can find out what brand or model works for your foot to ensure comfortable walking. Ask the staff of an athletic store to measure the length/width of your feet and give you several models so you can choose the most comfortable one.
3. Soak your feet
Both warm and cold water feet soaking can help preserve your feet health and reduce the psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Soaking your feet in warm water promotes blood circulation and eases stiffness, improving your feet’ mobility. Cold feet baths reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the joints. What’s more, you can add essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, etc) or Epsom salt in the baths to boost an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Try boots or low heels for the workplace
Boots with a rubberized sole and low heel can help you feel more comfortable and support your ankle, without sacrificing the office style. Avoid wearing high heels shoes. They cause an uneven weight distribution and can worsen your feet pain significantly. The shoes with an inch heel and wide toe space are the best option.
5. Try acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique that uses thin needles to promote blood circulation and regeneration of a particular area. Getting acupuncture therapy for your feet can help you reduce muscle tension and relieve pain. Because acupuncture promotes circulation, it helps relieve stiffness and improve your feet’ range of motion.
6. Leave some wiggle room
Feet psoriatic arthritis joint inflammation comes in flares and can vary from day to day. For this reason, it is recommended to choose shoes with a bigger wiggle room. This can help you make sure you’ll feel comfortable even during psoriatic arthritis flares. When trying new shoes, wear thick socks to ensure they are roomy enough.
7. Manage inflammation
Feet psoriatic arthritis is an inflammation of your feet joints. When the inflammation hits, the symptoms like stiffness and pain become worse, causing more discomfort. Going on an anti-inflammatory diet helps prevent inflammation and flares of psoriatic arthritis. During flares, you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to cope with inflammation and pain.
8. Try foot exercises
Foot exercises can be very helpful when it comes to foot psoriatic arthritis symptoms management. It is easy to find time for foot exercises because you can do them while lying in bed. Start your morning by wiggling your toes for half a minute and making circles with your feet for 10 seconds. You can also use your hands to stretch toes one by one and massage them to relieve morning joint stiffness.
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