4 Alternative Treatments for Aching Legs and Feet

4 Alternative Treatments for Aching Legs and Feet : For people who stand all day at work, aching legs and feet are a common occurrence. If you don’t like taking painkillers but are seeking relief from aches and pains, keep reading.

Listed below are 4 alternative treatments that can work wonders for aching legs and feet.

Turmeric

Soaking in a hot bath always feels great on aching legs and feet. But, you can your bath even more effective by adding turmeric.

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that contains a compound called curcumin, which has been proven to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

There are two different ways that turmeric can be utilized for pain relief:

Make a paste by mixing 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm sesame oil. Gently rub it on the areas where you feel pain and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with warm water. You can do this twice a day.
If you prefer, you can also drink a glass of hot turmeric milk once or twice a day.

People on blood-thinners should not use turmeric for pain relief, as it has been shown to make the effects of these drugs stronger.

Therapy Putty

Therapy putty is often used by occupational and physical therapists to help improve grip strength and increase mobility in the hands. However, it can also be used to strengthen the muscles in the feet and reduce lower body pain.

To use therapy putty to strengthen aching feet, simply manipulate it with the feet and toes just like you would with your hands. You can also roll it into a ball and roll your feet over it to help break down knots. Keep some under your desk or on the floor by your bed so that you don’t forget to work with it regularly.

Interested in trying out therapy putty? Check out this list of the 10 Best Brands of Therapy Putty today.

Yoga

Yoga is another alternative practice that has repeatedly been proven to help relieve pain in several areas of the body, including the legs and feet.

Three yoga poses that are especially beneficial are:

Downward-Facing Dog

For this pose, start on your hands and knees with your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Slowly straighten your arms and legs, lifting your hips toward the ceiling so your body makes the shape of the letter “A.” Keep your weight evenly distributed between the hands and feet.

Hold for 1 to 2 minutes.

Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose

This is a very relaxing pose that drains fluid from the legs and feet, reducing swelling and improving circulation.

Simply lie on the floor and bring your hips as close to the wall as is comfortable. Your legs should be straight against the wall, perpendicular to the floor.

Hold for 3 to 5 minutes to start, and you can eventually work your way up to 10 minutes.

Thread the Needle Pose

To stretch the outer hips, start by lying on your back. Cross your left ankle above your right thigh and bend your right leg in towards your chest while keeping the ankle flexed. Thread your left arm through the space between your legs and interlace your fingers around your right shin or back of the thigh.

Hold for 1 to 2 minutes and then switch sides.

Natural Heat

A capsaicin cream, which is made from hot chili peppers, can also help relieve leg and foot pain. The burning sensation from the cream can be too much for some, but many people who stick with it longterm get used to the sensation and experience a significant reduction in pain (up to 80 percent). This is especially true for people whose pain is related to arthritis.

Give these treatments a try today to start experiencing the pain relief you’ve been longing for!

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