Arthritis is widely experienced by millions of people, with it being the number cause of disability in the country. There are several types of arthritis, one of them being osteoarthritis (OA), which also affects the feet. The thing about OA is that it is also the most common kind.
If you have been diagnosed with foot arthritis and it has been affecting your quality of life, you might be thinking of reducing activities that put weight on your feet, so that you can avoid the pain. Walking is one such action.
However, you might want to reconsider this because walking can have good effects on your foot condition. Interested? Keep reading.
Is Walking a Good Exercise for People with Foot Arthritis?
Those with foot arthritis, but still want to exercise will be glad to know that walking is deemed to be one of the best exercises for this condition. It can help you deal with the symptoms of arthritis while improving your situation so that you experience pain less.
What you should know is that walking is a low-impact exercise that does not put too much stress on your joints. You can walk for a long time without getting foot pain and fatigue, which means it is more sustainable for patients. It can also help you lose weight and strengthen your bones.
Another great thing about walking is that it can help and lessen stiff joints, which is a common issue for arthritis. So, you can expect less pain and more mobile joints, overall.
Aside from helping with foot arthritis, walking can also help enhance your mood, manage your weight, minimize stress, boost heart health and circulation, and deal with sleep problems better.
How to Maximize the Benefits of Walking
Now that you know that walking offers a wide variety of benefits including easing your foot arthritis, you should plan to do it more.
There are things you can do to ensure that you benefit from this activity optimally. Aim for five-minute walks or higher, so you can reap its benefits. Then, you can increase your speed and time to get the most out of it.
However, you should wear the right kind of shoes to avoid other sources of foot pain. The best choice is a pair with arch support and adequate cushioning. Do not go for ones with elevated heels because they can stress out your joints more.
Another thing is that you should stretch and warm up before going on a walk. This way, you are not shocking your feet. Instead, you are easing them into the activity. Make sure to stretch all muscles essential to the activity, especially those in the legs and thighs. Of course, stay hydrated to avoid other issues.
The Bottom Line
Foot arthritis can have a huge impact on the lives of patients, but with the right management, you can address the symptoms and learn to live with this condition better. Need guidance regarding using walking as an exercise? Get in touch with a podiatrist today.
