Swelling during pregnancy
Swelling of the limbs is not uncommon, especially during pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes, changes in tissue, an increased volume of body fluids and external influences such as intense heat, many women have to deal with swelling in their feet, hands and legs. Apart from a change in lifestyle (avoiding high or restrictive shoes, sufficient exercise, a balanced diet) and wearing compression stockings, this can be remedied by a series of exercises that stimulate the blood circulation and thus contribute to the reduction of swelling in the tissue.
Swelling after long sitting
Especially the legs and feet can swell after prolonged sitting. This is particularly beneficial for women who like to cross their legs and thus make blood circulation more difficult.Pre-existing conditions and problems with the veins or long flights also cause swelling after long periods of sitting. The heart has to pump strongly to bring the blood back to the heart while sitting. Due to the lack of movement and staying in the position, the blood in the legs can become congested and swell up. As a countermeasure, affected small movement exercises can be performed while sitting to activate the muscle pump and support the return transport of the blood.
Swelling in the morning
If the hands, feet or legs are swollen in the morning, this too can have various causes. Normally, the removal of excess water retention is normalized by the favourable sleeping position at night. If the limbs are still swollen in the morning, this may be due to an unfavorable position on the arm or leg concerned, for example, which has interrupted the blood supply. Also illnesses such as rheumatism can lead in the morning to swellings in the joints. Deep vein thrombosis can also lead to swelling, especially in the legs, because the blood flow is slowly interrupted by the blood clot that forms.
Summary
All in all, physiotherapy offers a wide range of options to combat swelling in the hands, feet and legs. As always, the choice of therapy method depends on the diagnosis and the general state of health of the patient. As a rule, regular participation in the physiotherapeutic sessions and continuation of the therapy at home, as well as, under certain circumstances, a change in lifestyle, can achieve good results in the treatment of swelling. Patients should consult a physician if swelling occurs over a longer period of time and without an apparent cause, so that therapy can be initiated early on and thus more severe forms of progression can be prevented.
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