Feet a little better

[cjsmith]

For the last day or so I've added the following things to my anti-inflammation battle arsenal:
- no white bread, no pasta, no candy, no sodas
- flaxseed oil, full dosage recommended on the label
- ice, last night and the night before
- Blue Goo, the only thing I could find last night that contained arnica
- an office chair I ripped apart to make a stool that fit under my desk, to elevate my feet a bit
- vivid mental imagery telling my body exactly what I expect of it

The ice (well, a cold pack) is very effective. After icing, my toes have a noticeably wider range of motion than before. This tells me I'm not merely numb, but also less swollen. I made sure to bring a cold pack to work this morning. I plan to use this superweapon more frequently throughout the day.

The Blue Goo also helps with the sensation of pain, but it might be a) the analgesic properties of the menthol, b) the cold-sensation helping to decrease inflammation, c) the I-presume-tiny bit of arnica in it helping to decrease inflammation. Hard to tell so far. (I also smell like a minty sort of fruit basket.) Need a bigger hammer -- something that contains enough arnica that it's not hidden in the "Other Ingredients" section.

I'm gaining ground, but the enemy is still fighting: there's some pain and inflammation even with all this. I will continue to press the attack on all fronts.

Comments

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

I also smell like a minty sort of fruit basket.

I'm tickled by that image, for some strange reason....

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Minty fresh! ;-)

[dieppe.livejournal.com]

I'm taking flaxseed oil 2Tbps (or whatever) every day. I have to get my eyes moist enough so I can do Wavefront(LASIK)...

How are you taking it? I'm taking 1Tbps with oatmeal in the morning and 1Tbps in yoghurt at night.. I can't really taste it in the food much... eh.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

what about Arnica Cream (http://www.feelingbetternaturally.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/info/arnicainfo.htm?L+scstore+fhbz8773ffba25ba+1115712063) or Sore Muscle Relief Soap (http://www.feelingbetternaturally.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/info/soresoapinfo.htm?L+scstore+yvkl0658fffbcbfb+1115972068)? (i've got their headache relief soap, and it's amazing stuff. love it love it love it)

or, try pineapple. The Unofficial Guide to Alternative Medicine (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0028625269/qid=1108601239/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-5528815-8790549?v=glance&s=books) says that pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which helps reduce inflammation.

[rampling.livejournal.com]

Oooh -- gaining ground -- good news! Glad to hear you've got a nice arsenal of stuff and ideas to work with.

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a full frontal assault!! It's great that the ice is helping, and may the rest of the stuff kick in right alog with it.

[jupiter29.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a vivid description of your foot issues and treatments AND the knowledge that you smell all sweet and minty. If I ever develop a foot fetish, this is definitely the first journal I'm reading every morning. ;)