Ice cream is more than 5,000 years old! It’s true, people in China were mixing sweetened juice with snow and ice as far back as 3,000 BC. Nowadays the cold concoction even has its own holiday. Strawberry Ice Cream Day, on Thursday, January 15, celebrates the creamy goodness that we know and love. Nothing can perk you up on a crummy day better than a pint of good ole’ Ben and Jerry’s. When you’re dealing with arthritis pain, however, it’s going to take more than a few scoops of this treat to keep your spirits high. Let us offer some suggestions to help with your pain.
Since we were talking about a cold treat, you could start your pain relief with an ice pack. When your feet are inflamed and painful, ice can instantly relieve your pain and bring down swelling. Massage is another way to immediately soothe tension and discomfort. Apply lotion to your hands and transfer that moisture to your feet using kneading motions. You can also roll a tennis ball under your arch to get a good massage.
Make sure you wear shoes with solid arch support, low heels, and a wide toe box. You might benefit from using a cane to take weight off the painful foot. Placing a custom orthotic inside your shoe can also cushion that painful joint. If you’re interested, we would love to explore options for orthotics for you at our office.
Have you feet checked once a year with Kevin J. Powers, DPM. That way, we can pinpoint any problems you’ve had in the past year and find ways to correct the issue. This is also a good time for us to check up on your orthotics, shoes, or any other treatment plan we’ve prescribed for your issue.
If you feel arthritis pain, it’s best to visit our office right away—don’t wait until your yearly review. Call our office in Bloomington, IN, at (812) 333-4422 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Powers also holds office hours at the Washington Daviess Community Hospital on Fridays from 8 AM to 3 PM.
