Home Remedies For Swelling Feet

Home remedies can help reduce leg swelling. There are numerous conditions that cause legs to swell, including aging, pregnancy, or excessive standing or sitting, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Known as chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, the swelling is generally painless, though it can be uncomfortable. Simple remedies can remove the excess fluid from the leg.

Elevate the Feet

Keeping the feet elevated above the head, if possible, is advised by the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine. This causes the blood flow to drain from the feet back into circulation and takes pressure of the blood vessels returning to the heart. Ohio State Medical Center recommends resting for 45 to 60 minutes a day in this position, 3 to 4 times a day. Elevating the feet to waist height will also help.

Exercise

Exercise forces the blood back to the heart. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends exercise to reduce leg swelling and to encourage weight loss. Weight reduction takes pressure off the legs and helps reduce swelling as well. When sitting for long periods of time, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine advises rotating the ankles 10 times every 30 minutes to encourage blood flow.

Foot Wraps, Soaking

Hydrotherapy foot wraps can help reduce swelling by stimulating blood flow in the leg. Adding vinegar to the wrap can make this treatment more effective. A folk remedy calls for vinegar and water mixed together and soaked onto a towel. Alternating cold and hot water on the towel in five-minute intervals, can reduce foot swelling.
You can also so something as simple as an epsom salt soak for your feet in a large pan of warm water, with 1/2 cup salt added to reducing swelling.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings can be fitted to the individual and keep the blood from pooling in the leg and causing clots, according to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine. This allows the blood to return to the heart more easily. The stockings are tighter at the ankle and then taper toward the knee.
According New York University's Langone Medical Center, the stockings have two actions on the leg. One is to reduce leakage of fluid from the capillaries, thereby allowing the fluid to be reabsorbed into the blood flow. The other action is the squeeze the blood vessels. This is the action that prevents the blood from pooling and causing potential blood clots. Gloves can be purchased that make it easier to put on the stockings.