I know how hot it can get this summer and the challenges many of my wheelchair user clients face lower leg, ankle and foot swelling.

Here are some easy to use tips that can hopefully help you manage your ankle, foot or lower leg swelling this summer.

1. Oedema Tapping 

When Kinesiology taping is used in a particular way, it helps with managing swelling over joints. Here you will see how I used the taping over the ankle and foot to influence the swelling. Ask me when you are next in the clinic if you would like to trial this to see if it helps you

2. Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation 

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation using a handheld stimulation unit can really help to

• improve the muscle pump in the lower leg and
• improve venous return
• improve your circulation

The NMES needs to be put over the front shin muscle

In order to achieve visible changes on a daily basis, 20-30 minutes two to three times daily is needed

If you would like help with this, you can trial this in a session and leave with your own machine all set up and ready to go at the end of your session.

3. Running Compression Socks 

So many clients report that they don’t like the look of the conventional hospital compression socks. Nowadays, we have more options available to us with some of these being:

The compression running socks which are available by different companies in nice colours

running sleeves which cover your lower leg or calf area and leave your ankle and feet open

4.  Raising Your Legs 

Raising your legs in bed and in sitting helps the venous return and helps the excess fluid be flushed out via the lymphatic system. 

We have lymph nodes in the groin so when the foot is raised higher than the hip, you will flush the excess fluid out via the lymph and kidneys, so keep an eye on your leg bag as you may need to empty it more frequently in this position.