Mum's got arthritis in foot, should I get her a foot spa .....

[charleypops]

Can anyone recommend a good one for this condition and is there anything else I could get her which would be useful? She's really down in the dumps at the moment (recently came off HRT) and we've not really spoken for months (can't talk to her when she's like this...) so I'd like to try and cheer her up with something nice that I can post to her. She's 59.

Thanks x

IMHO foot spas are a waste of time. It's such a cuffle to fill up and empty the blooming thing.
If you do get one, get one that can keep the water hot, otherwise it soon goes cold.

What about a course of treatment with a reflexologist? That might also make her feel good in herself afterwards.

foot spas did nothing for DH either

although its a lovely idea

acupuncture can help sometimes

Good idea Furball, I've just found a reflexologist in her area through the arthritis care association and sent her an email. She's developed a bit of a phobia of people, so I think some human skin to skin contact like that should do her some good. I just hope it's not too expensive as dp will have to pay and he's not happy with her at the moment.

Twiglet, is this what your dh suffers from too? Has he found anything helpful?

Might also still get her a foot spa though if anyone can reccommend one...

I've got a parrafin wax bath that I use for softening my hands/feet/any bit I can fit in,I've heard they might be good for arthritis.

My friend also had a paraffin wax bath for her arthritis and it helped immensely. She'd let me use it, too. It felt great!

This was when we were in high school and in the US, so I don't have a brand to recommend - sorry!

thanks for the paraffin bath idea - I'll go surf for them....

I got mine from Living TV, it was a really good price about £25 I think.If you want the phone no./order ref I could find it for you.

charleypops, as a reflexologist, I would be reticent about treating your mum, purely because the pain is in her foot!

I don't know much about arthritis apart from the fact it is painful and somebody massaging a tender area might not be appreciated.

Accupuncture would be a better bet.

Oops just realised it's from Ideal World not LivingTV, sorry

Thanks Boudicca - yes please, if you could find it that would be great! What make is it? Are you happy with it? If ideal World have run out I might be able to find it somewhere else.

Oatcake, that is a good point. The lady I emailed earlier has replied and whilst practising reflexology, she's actually a holistic therapist (MAR), advises on food groups, and works with "mental and emotional bodies" as well. Whilst I think all this is a good thing, I know that she won't be able to deal with my mum - there's far too much going on with her emotionally and has been ever since she was a child. This kind of situation would just upset her and set her back even more (if possible!). She refuses to address her problems. She's in denial that she's even depressed.

So I guess reflexology is out after all. Not sure about acupuncture - is this a holistic treatment too?

to my mind, accupuncture isn't totally holistic, but can be an effective form of pain relief.

Hiya Charleypops, here's the info :-
tel no.for order line 08700 700 800
product number 212506
price 29.90 + p&p 4.90 (sorry dearer than I said)
comes with three bags of wax too

It's called Total Style and it's made by Derann Productions
Their e-mail address is - [email protected]

I got mine about three weeks ago, and love it.I've had it plugged in almost continuously, and used it almost every other day !
Hope you can get one as it seems to be a very good price.
Luv B XXX

Thanks Boudicca

I've sent an email to derann as I'd like to see the spec before I buy, but ideal world are having a foot care afternoon tomorrow, so I might be in luck there.

Oatcake, I'm going to look into acupuncture, I think that might be less "invasive" for my mum. thanks

I came across a dietary supplement called cortaflex - it has worked miracles for DH who has a dodgy ankle.

Like Glucosamine but better.
Cortaflex website Cheapest to order from:
Kay Dumont in Guernsey

They look good Gingerbear - and Kay Dumont's are even cheaper than on ebay! How long did it take til they started working on your dh?

Hi Charleypops

yes unfortunately DH was diagnosed with ankylosing spondilitis and psoriatic arthritis at 28 (he's now 35)

it is manageable with the right treatments

don't know what kind of arthritis your mother has .. DH's are an auto-immune disease rather than bone wearing (osteo-arthritis)

if you're in to alternative therapy glucosamine supplements are supposed to help support joints, and bromelain (extracted from pineapple)

DH has tried loads in the past 7 years, currently traditional medicine (really strong drugs) are working for him

Hi Twiglett

Poor dh - it's very painful sometimes isn't it I'm glad he's found something that helps. Don't know what type my mum has as we're not speaking to one another at the moment but I'm guessing rheumatoid but only because I think that's the more common one? I could be wrong.

DH started feeling better after 2 weeks.

I've ordered her a wax bath and she'll have it on tuesday. Thanks for all your help. I'll find out more about acupuncture if she lets me know how she gets on with the bath.