When using a wheelchair, maintaining the same posture can lead to poor blood circulation in the legs, making them prone to getting cold.
If left unchecked, cold feet can lead to difficulty concentrating, fatigue, diarrhea, decreased immunity, and various other issues.
Many people might be trying hard to improve blood circulation in their legs but find it difficult to see improvement, or they might have resigned themselves to the idea that cold feet are just part of their constitution.
In this article, we introduce recommended solutions for cold feet for those who feel this way.
1. What Causes Cold Feet?
During the rainy season or hot summer months, when the skin feels heat, it tries to release heat by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow to lower body temperature.
Conversely, in cold winter months, when the skin feels cold (cold stimulus), blood vessels constrict to reduce blood flow, keeping the skin's surface temperature low and preventing body heat from escaping.
Thus, the cause of cold sensitivity is a natural defense response to protect the body against environmental changes. It's somewhat inevitable that feet get cold during the colder months.
There are three structural reasons for this in the body.
1-1. Poor Blood Circulation
The most common reason for cold feet is some issue with daily lifestyle habits. Specifically, not moving the legs enough leads to reduced muscle mass, resulting in poor blood circulation. This decreases heat production, causing cold feet.
This is related to the somatic nervous system, which involves voluntary and sensory movements.
1-2. Autonomic Nervous System Function
The human body contains countless nerves. Among them, the autonomic nervous system constantly works to maintain functions like organ activity, metabolism, and body temperature.
However, you cannot control organ functions or movements with your will or commands from the brain.
For example, it can adjust the amount of blood flow.
The autonomic nervous system has the function of adjusting and changing blood flow.
For instance, from the rainy season to summer, when feeling hot, the body tries to release heat from the skin to lower body temperature.
On the other hand, when feeling cold, it constricts blood vessels to reduce blood flow, keeping skin temperature low and preventing body heat from escaping.
Thus, the cause of cold feet can be seen as a defensive reaction to maintain health in response to the environment.
1-3. Stress
Disrupted lifestyle habits and prolonged stress can lead to reduced or insufficient blood flow to the extremities. This is related to the autonomic nervous system.
When stressed, the sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant, causing blood vessels to constrict, making it difficult for blood to reach the extremities.
While there are many reasons for cold feet, lifestyle habits and the body's natural defense mechanisms play a significant role.
2. Four Cold Feet Solutions from Wheelchair Users
2-1. Bathing and Foot Baths
When thinking of solutions for cold feet, bathing or foot baths might be the first things that come to mind.
Bathing or foot baths can warm the body and promote blood flow, potentially boosting metabolism.
However, simply bathing without any thought may not yield the desired effects.
Focus on warming the core of your body by soaking in water around 38 to 39 degrees Celsius for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Adding bath salts can enhance relaxation during your bath.
For foot baths, use slightly hotter water at around 42 degrees Celsius, and soak your feet until you start to sweat lightly.
2-2. Lap Blankets and Heat Packs
When you feel your feet getting cold, using a lap blanket can be an effective solution.
Using a lap blanket not only improves blood circulation but also shields you from the cold air, making you feel less chilly.
The regular size for a lap blanket is 900mm x 600mm, making it convenient for use even when you're out.
When using a lap blanket, it's beneficial to warm the area closer to the heart than where you feel the cold.
Additionally, using heat packs can help alleviate cold sensitivity symptoms.
Heat packs come in types that stick to shoes or socks and those that adhere directly to the skin. If your toes get particularly cold, choose the type that warms the toes; if your entire foot feels cold, opt for the type that covers the whole foot.
Be cautious when using heat packs for extended periods, as they can cause low-temperature burns.
