Every day, I push myself. From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, I push. I wake up with pain and stiffness. Often, my body doesn't want to cooperate. My joints ache, and sometimes my hands and fingers will involuntarily curl up in achy spasms. By midday, I am taking Tylenol just to get through the day. Fatigue sets in. And often, by the end of the day, my legs hurt and burn so much that my only choice is to lay down, exhausted. I push on. I am a teacher during the day, run my beauty business as a side hustle, and a full time mom. Plus, sometimes, just sometimes, I like to do things, like, hike, go out to eat or visit museums.
I don't usually share my physical issues, and I'm pretty sure 99% of the people that meet me don't think there is anything wrong. But I know, I KNOW, I'm not the only one. So many people that I care about push through their daily lives in discomfort or agony. So many people are exhausted, achy, in pain, or just not feeling able to fully enjoy life. And the whole time they pretend that there is nothing wrong. It took me a long time to realize that not everyone actually felt like this! I thought everyone had fatigue during the day. Nope. Most people actually go through their days without pain, without challenges. Who knew, right? :|
If you live with arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis or fibromyalgia, you know the constant struggle to make your body feel good.
There are many invisible physical illnesses that affect our ability to function, affect our daily health, and we need ways to combat the symptoms. Rheumatoid diseases, such as arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis sufferers are also more likely to have fibromyalgia as well.
When I realized that FootWorks had products that could help soothe arthritis and muscle pain issues, I have to admit - I was skeptical. This was constant achiness. There wasn't a topical that could help!
First, let's talk about the active ingredients in some of these helpful products.
- Methyl salicilate can bring some comfort for fibromyalgia.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin as a topical can relieve joint pain. *
- Peppermint is an essential oil frequently used for both arthritis and fibro muscle pain for pain relief and increased circulation.
- Lidocaine is a topical anesthetic (analgesic).
* In 2003, there was a double blind study done, and the result was that "in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, a topical cream containing glucosamine sulphate, chondroitin sulphate, and camphor was more effective than placebo for relieving joint pain." Source: http://ebm.bmj.com/content/8/5/154.full
Three specific FootWorks products that can help with symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia and other chronic joint and muscle pain.
Foot Works Healthy Peppermint Reviving Leg Gel
Lightweight gel. Infused with Peppermint Oil. Revives, refreshes and soothes.
What I think: This product was released in 2015, and it has made a WORLD of difference! Nearly every evening (and some mornings) I have what I call achy legs: burning, aching, tired muscles that start in my thighs and work down to cramping in my feet. This peppermint gel actually, seriously, yaaasss helps! It truly does. If you have any kind of muscle achy type feelings, try this peppermint leg gel.
Foot Works Healthy Arthritis Achy Foot & Muscle Cream
Keep feet feeling healthy with this intensive cream that provides penetrating pain relief for sore muscles. Contains glucosamine & chondroitin to soothe arthritis pain.
METHYL SALICYLATE 25.0%
GLUCOSAMINE HCL
SODIUM CHONDROITIN SULFATE
What I think: This is a wonderful cream for joint flareups. Using this on a painful knee, shoulder or other joints can actually give almost immediate joint relief while you are waiting for the painkiller to kick in. This can be used anywhere on the body, not just on the feet as the name says! Any joint will benefit from the glucosamine and chondroitin ingredients, and the methyl salicylate ingredient is immediately soothing for muscle aches.
Foot Works Healthy Maximum Strength Cracked Heel Cream
Put the bounce back into your step with Foot Works Healthy Maximum Strength Cracked Heel Cream. The non-greasy formula repairs cracked and dry feet. Stop suffering from calluses by using this softening foot cream. This healing cream contains antiseptic and acts as an analgesic to soothe your pain and heel your feet even faster!
LIDOCAINE 4.00%
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE 0.13%
What I think: I react to the lidocaine in this, so I have to rely on what others say for this one. This can be used on areas other than the feet, but because of it's strength it is recommended for thicker problem areas, like cracked heels. But I know people with arthritis in their hands use this as a hand cream and that it makes a huge difference!
