Senior Foot Care for Comfort and Health

We have discussed how you can improve your health through the way you eat. Now lets look at the other end of the body – special senior feet! Our feet carry us around all day and help us balance. They are the end point for circulation before blood heads back up to the heart. The feet deserve some senior foot care for comfort and health.

A study  found that reflexology had a statistically significant pain-relieving effect, in comparison with regular foot massage. Complementary medicine is becoming clinically relevant in bringing about cures and pain relief especially for lower back pain. Reflexology can really help your whole body, beginning feet upwards. Reflexology must be provided by a qualified practitioner.

 

Some Problems Associated with Senior Feet:

There are more severe feet problems caused by conditions requiring major medical intervention. Obviously, all medical conditions required consistent medical care. These include diabetes, arthritis or structural changes in the feet.

There are other problems that can originate from the feet.

• chronic pain in feet or back
• falls and fractures
• postural imbalance
• circulation issues
• corns and calluses
• sensory problems
• nail or toe distort
• sleep problems

These problems can be helped somewhat by relaxing foot spas and massages.

True, a foot-bath is not medical treatment, nor professional reflexology. A foot-bath is still something that can help. And it is an enjoyable, relaxing experience. Let’s be pro, for senior foot care for comfort and health!

If you wish to invest in a foot spa, there are many great foot spas available.

You can see a step by step illustrated guide to making your own foot spa. Alternatively, here are some tips to make a relaxing foot spa.

 

Tips to Make Your Own Foot Spa for Comfort and Relaxation

To make a senior foot care for comfort and health is not too difficult.

This is a relaxing activity, that requires a little input and preparation. You might find that you enjoy it so much, that you want to do it on a regular basis.

1. Create a relaxed environment. You might want to put soft music in the back ground or play an audio story. Provide gentle lighting such as natural sunlight or a lamp directed towards the ceiling.
2. Prepare a plastic tub with warm water. If carrying amounts of water is hard for you, use a smaller vessel to fill and empty the tub. In the alternative you could place a plastic stool or chair in the bath tub with ankle deep warm water.
3. Add a few drops of essential oils or other additions (see listed below) to the water.
4. Soak the feet for ten to fifteen minutes, while you relax and enjoy the music or audio entertainment.
5. Gently scrub the feet with a long-handled foot brush or shower aids especially designed with seniors in mind (scroll down items 9 and 10).
6. Follow this with a foot massage. If you can reach your feet comfortably, use foot massage creams or any moisturizing cream. Rub in the cream or lotion gently until it is absorbed and your feet feel wonderful. If you can’t get down there, use a long handled applicator that come in a variety of styles to apply the foot massage cream.

 

Things You Can Add to the Warm Water in a Foot Spa

• Herbs – chamomile tea or dried leaf form, lemon balm, lavender, thyme, basil or calendula.
• Minerals/salts – sea salts, Epsom salts, baking soda
• Essential oils – 10 drops or less of Tea Tree oil, Rosemary Oil, Lavender Oil or Peppermint oil
• Vinegar – for dry skin problems. Use cool water, follow with moisturizer.
• Listerine, Epsom salts and vinegar combined – for dry cracked heels.
• Lemon juice – for toxin elimination and pain relief.
• Powdered milk (1 cup) with Almond Oil (1 Tbs) – to soften feet.

 

The Best Time for Your Own ‘Luxurious Foot Relax Therapy’

A study showed the reflexology and soaking the feet in a foot-bath helped improve the quality of sleep. So, it would be appropriate to do your foot spa and foot massage a little while before bed time.

In that way the massage creams and other oils that were part of your spa will be absorbed all through night.

 

Note: Pay attention to any allergies or sensitivities you may have to these items or ideas. Please speak to your healthcare provider before choosing to do any foot spa activities mentioned herein.

 

Well done for giving your feet the care they deserve, after working hard all these years.

Hope you enjoyed this information on senior foot care for comfort and health. Remember: Happy feet, happy smile!

 

Photo by Samuel Scrimshaw on Unsplash