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What makes your ankles swell ?
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<blockquote data-quote="Marguerite" data-source="post: 48333" data-attributes="member: 1991"><p>Not moving can do it. Any time you're sitting and not moving your legs at all, the blood can pool. This is why they worry about DVTs on long plane trips. Have you ever stuck an ear of barley stalk-first up your sleeve? When you swing your arm, the barley ear will 'climb' up your sleeve with the microscopic little hooks on the pointy bits. Blood vessels in your legs work a bit like that - when you move, your muscles actually work to pump blood back towards your heart. So when you don't move your legs, the blood just pools. Your lymphatic circulation does the same thing, and it sounds like it's your lymphatic circulation that is not working properly here.</p><p></p><p>A couple of suggestions - good work station practices dictate that you take out a few minutes every hour or so (I think it's ten minutes) to get up, leave the desk, stretch arms and legs, walk around a bit, swing your arms, do a couple of specific exercises before going back to work. It prevents all sorts of things including RSI and circulation problems.</p><p></p><p>Other suggestion - work your feet while you're at the desk. it's also good practice to do this while in the car (at red lights is a good time). Flex your feet back and forth, rotate them clockwise round the ankle, then anticlockwise. If you can massage your feet then do so - rub the top of your feet (not so hard as to hurt) from the toes towards your heel. Always in that direction, not towards the toes. This also encourages lymphatic circulation to move in the direction it's supposed to go. More massage is better than less massage. Every little bit can help a lot.</p><p></p><p>You can get a thing called a "Push Cush" which you can use to work your feet while you're sitting. Or you could partly inflate the bag from a wine cask or juice cask (do you have those? They're an Aussie invention, I just realised) and use that. A hot water bottle partly filled with air is a good substitute. </p><p></p><p>The problem is often worse in hot weather. Avoid wearing anything which constricts your feet, legs and ankles (ie avoid tight socks or elasticised track pants). You can buy elasticised support stockings, but I'd talk to the doctor first before you waste your cash. If you really have problems with poor circulation, there are easy tests now to find out why - Doppler studies, for example. Easy, non-invasive.</p><p></p><p>Cut back on salt, drink more water and get a few things checked by your doctor. Meanwhile, exercise your feet at the desk.</p><p></p><p>Marg</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Marguerite, post: 48333, member: 1991"] Not moving can do it. Any time you're sitting and not moving your legs at all, the blood can pool. This is why they worry about DVTs on long plane trips. Have you ever stuck an ear of barley stalk-first up your sleeve? When you swing your arm, the barley ear will 'climb' up your sleeve with the microscopic little hooks on the pointy bits. Blood vessels in your legs work a bit like that - when you move, your muscles actually work to pump blood back towards your heart. So when you don't move your legs, the blood just pools. Your lymphatic circulation does the same thing, and it sounds like it's your lymphatic circulation that is not working properly here. A couple of suggestions - good work station practices dictate that you take out a few minutes every hour or so (I think it's ten minutes) to get up, leave the desk, stretch arms and legs, walk around a bit, swing your arms, do a couple of specific exercises before going back to work. It prevents all sorts of things including RSI and circulation problems. Other suggestion - work your feet while you're at the desk. it's also good practice to do this while in the car (at red lights is a good time). Flex your feet back and forth, rotate them clockwise round the ankle, then anticlockwise. If you can massage your feet then do so - rub the top of your feet (not so hard as to hurt) from the toes towards your heel. Always in that direction, not towards the toes. This also encourages lymphatic circulation to move in the direction it's supposed to go. More massage is better than less massage. Every little bit can help a lot. You can get a thing called a "Push Cush" which you can use to work your feet while you're sitting. Or you could partly inflate the bag from a wine cask or juice cask (do you have those? They're an Aussie invention, I just realised) and use that. A hot water bottle partly filled with air is a good substitute. The problem is often worse in hot weather. Avoid wearing anything which constricts your feet, legs and ankles (ie avoid tight socks or elasticised track pants). You can buy elasticised support stockings, but I'd talk to the doctor first before you waste your cash. If you really have problems with poor circulation, there are easy tests now to find out why - Doppler studies, for example. Easy, non-invasive. Cut back on salt, drink more water and get a few things checked by your doctor. Meanwhile, exercise your feet at the desk. Marg [/QUOTE]
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