One thing I have learned from dealing with Lyme and co-infection is that I value my mobility. I have had a lot of neuropathy and swelling in my feet from Lyme disease and it put ease of movement at risk. It also made things really clear, I love to move. I plan to do everything I can to be walking on the day I die. Happy feet for me means I take care of them.
Our feet have a map of our body on them and they sense and adjust all day to respond to variation in surface smoothness, debris, cracks and gullies in our path. If we can’t flow in time with our speed of movement we can trip and fall.
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
– Abraham Lincoln
Fear of our ability to respond to our environment often restricts movement and limits fitness. This is not good. I know I need to take care of my feet to keep me mobile. Here are some of the things I do to have happy feet.
Help Lymph Move
In Lyme disease lymph can sludge up. What I mean by that is that die off toxins and other garbage builds up in lymph because lyme bacteria take up residence in the lymph nodes and slow the cleaning process way down. It important to balance the scales and move lymph actively. To address swelling, I help lymph move from my feet back into my core for clean up. I walk and I use altitude therapy. Elevation is a great thing to keep happy feet to stand firm and move with ease
Elevation
When you are on your feet all day, lymph can stagnate in your ankles and feet. Your body has to push lymph up hill to move it out. When you use elevation it is easier for fluid and lymph to flow back to processing centers in the body for clean up.
If you retain fluid in your feet and ankles it can be uncomfortable even painful. Tight swollen tissue makes it difficult to be graceful on your feet and interferes with proprioception (position sensing). Your body needs assistance to help prevent fluid stagnation.
People often put their feet up at the end of a long day. They use an ottoman, but while this helps more altitude is more effective. I learned about Legs up the wall in yoga class as a really efficient way to help move lymph. Check the link for detailed instructions. It is a simple way to elevate your feet and legs. I started doing this for 15 minutes each morning while I meditate and I can really notice the difference
Massage for Happy Feet
Regular foot massage is another excellent way to move fluid and reduce pain. I shake hands with my feet and roll the soles out every day. When I get up and sit on the toilet in the morning. I keep the roller by on the shelf in the bathroom. It is part of my regular morning routine. Jenny Otto my yoga teacher for many years taught me to value foot massage.
I elevate my legs and stretch my feet and ankles and part of my daily routine. These practices help my balance improve my walking gate and reduce foot pain. I tie these practices to things I do without fail in a habit stack, so I can be support happy feet and ease of movement.
The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.