6 steps to improve blood circulation to lower legs
Poor circulation often affects those aged 65 and above as well as others with medical conditions. Find out some ways to help boost your circulation.
Poor blood circulation is an inadequacy of blood flow to certain parts of the body. This could be because of age, disease, genetics and lifestyle factors (such as prolonged standing at work, obesity and smoking, sedentary habit and long-term mobility). Particularly those 65 and above could experience poor blood circulation as well as those suffering from certain medical conditions such as vascular and arterial disease, diabetes and arthritis.
Signs and symptoms can include aching and painful legs and feet, swelling in ankles (oedema), numbness (peripheral neuropathy), restless leg syndrome, skin discolouration, cramping, cold feet and ulcers.
Here are six steps you can take to help improve the blood circulation to your lower legs:
1) Incorporate regular exercises in your daily life such as walking, swimming and cycling, as these can help improve circulation and prevent blood from building up in feet and ankles. Even simple heel-to-toe raises and flexing the legs can boost circulation.
2) Move about every 20 to 30 minutes to stimulate circulation as sitting for prolonged periods of time can cause blood to pool in the lower legs.
3) Keep your feet raised when sitting, the higher the better, as this helps the circulatory system return fluid and waste back up the leg while supplying fresh oxygenated blood.
4) Maintain a balanced diet that is high in fiber and low in fat and sugar, which can help the body remove dietary fat, further increasing blood flow.
5) Stop smoking as it impairs blood circulation causing arteries to harden and increasing cholesterol levels.
6) Relieve stress through exercising as this can help improve blood circulation, as anxiety and tension have been known to divert blood flow from the feet, causing poor circulation.
** This copy has been provided by Actegy, distributors of the device Revitive IX.
(** PHOTO CREDIT: Leg, hamid24, stock.xchng)
Yes, it will help if follow strictly. You may soak both feet with warm water to improve blood circulation.