Walking through Arthritis

An article in Arthritis Today, March-April 2011, encourages walking as exercise for those with arthritis in the feet. Finding the right shoes and a comfortable, appropriate stride will help make the exercise more beneficial with increased flexibilty and range of motion in toe joints. A mdeical professional recommends picking up a wash cloth with your toes to help loosen joints. A foot specialist may provide othrotics or address other foot difficulties to make walking more pleasurable and easy on you feet.

Keep moving is their advice. Be safe -- walk on level soft ground or in a shallow pool. The more you walk the better you will feel, even though it may take a few sessions to feel it.

Not mentioned in the article, but this might be helpful -- if you have arthritis in your feet, try using some Foot Warmers to stimulate blood flow and help flexibility before you go out for a walk. Or put your feet on top of a Back Warmer. It's more affordable and versatile. Check out Maine Warmers' Palm Packs to keep hands warm while walking.

Quit Smoking to Help Circulation and Prevent Buerger's Disease

According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking causes Buerger’s Disease, a condition that affects circulation in the legs and arms. This is a rare disease of the arteries and veins that is found in people who smoke tobacco products heavily -- one and a half packs a day or more. It can cause development of blood clots and can keep nutrients and oxygen from reaching the tips of fingers and toes, thus killing cells. Some people with this disease experience gangrenous areas that need to be amputated.


The cure is to prevent absorption of nicotine into the body. Avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco or taking in any other product with nicotine is essential to recover from this disease, according to the article.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy. But it is necessary to recover from this condition which is found mostly in the Middle East where there is a larger percentage of heavy smokers.

Heat can help stimulate circulation and help relax tense muscles for those who are trying to quit smoking. Nervousness and tension caused by nicotine withdrawal may be eased with the use of a microwave heating pad. Maine Warmers’ neck warmers and back warmers may help. Hand Warmers can help warm cold fingers for those who suffer from poor circulation.