Gout is an acute form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in joints and their surrounding tendons. It affects only one joint initially, and usually the metatarsalphalangeal joint of the foot. (This is the joint between the great toe and the rest of the foot that, in reflexology, corresponds to the first zone shoulder line.)
Gout results from hyperuricaemia, a condition of increased levels of uric acid crystals in the blood that develops unrealized over years. The crystals literally cut through the synovial fluid sacks surrounding the joints, releasing the synovial fluid, and leaving the joint unprotected.
There are a number of factors that can precipitate hyperuricaemia and the resulting painful, recurrent gouty attacks on the joints; and much that can be done to prevent and manage an existing diagnosis. I know from my own clinical experience that reflexology can play a notable role in assisting people suffering from this swollen, red, hot, shiny and extremely painful condition. Imagine trying to walk!
One to two percent of the western world is said to suffer with gout. A doubling of the number of cases between 1990 and 2010 is mostly due to the dietary changes in our society (genetics can also play a role) that have led to an increase in metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, also known as insulin resistance, develops from what has been termed the “rich man’s lifestyle”: a diet high in alcohol, sugar products, meat and seafood, and low on physical activity. Use of diuretics, niacin and aspirin are also associated with the development of gout.
Although it is possible to have hyperuricaemia without the presence of gouty arthritis, it is rare. The body will make every attempt to push toxins externally, away from the body’s core. In the absence of gout, hyperuricaemia may manifest as kidney stones and “tophi” (superficial, painless nodules that result in deformity, if left untreated).
WHAT TO DO
A dedicated multi-factorial approach is necessary to overcome gout. Doctors recommend an avoidance of alcohol, fructose-laden foods and obesity. Exercise, vitamin C, and moderate consumption of coffee and dairy products are known to decrease the risk of insulin resistance and subsequent attacks of gout. Restoring a healthy digestive tract through dietary changes and the use of herbs designed to keep urates soluble provide big benefits to sufferers. During an attack, soaking the foot in a warm epsom salt bath, followed by icing of the joint for 10 to 20 minutes, three times a day is suggested.
Since gout attacks occur more at night, when the body’s temperature has dropped and is tired, sufferers might also want to look at their sleep habits. Get plenty of regular sleep; go to bed before you’re exhausted and keep the body warm.
REFLEXOLOGY’S ROLE
Reflexology can decrease the pain associated with inflammation, support the taxed adrenal glands, help to flush the body of excess uric acid crystals and relax a hyper-stimulated body fighting an attack.
During a bout of gout, the individual will not want you near the inflamed joint. So, if the foot is affected, work the hands. Work the adrenal, kidney and all the lymphatic reflexes thoroughly. Following the Law of Similars, work the metacarpalphalangeal joint on the corresponding hand, including range-of-motion movements. If gout is present in joints other than in the feet or hands, work the reflex for that area of the body. Between attacks, work the affected extremity.
Please note that reflexology will assist in the recovery of gout. It is not a substitute for the lifestyle changes necessary to overcome this painful condition.
Do you suffer from gout? Have you ever provided reflexology to clients with gout? What were the results?
My partner gets flare ups of gout in several joints of which have significantly decreased since I have been giving him reflexology treatments on a fairly regular basis. I do not as yet have my hand reflexology certificate so I just work his feet. He has had painful flareups in his wrists and knee and ankles in past.
You bring up a good point, Linda. When most people think of gout, they think of the great toe, but in actuality, it can strike any of the joints in the body. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been able to reduce your partner’s incidence of flare-ups.
I have pains for several years now and it has never been the big toe. Doctors find it hard to believe.
Where are the pains Raisul? Gout can occur other places than in the big toe.
I was just recently diagnosed with high uric acid levels and have immense pain in my ankles and my right 2 toe how can one do their own reflexology I’m tired of waking up ready to scream due to the Amt of pain I’m in?
Tina – I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I can only imagine how painful this is for you. If you are able to sit in a way that you can reach your own feet, then you will be able to do reflexology on yourself. If you are a reflexologist yourself, you will already know what to do. If you are not, I would suggest getting a session from a certified reflexologist and really paying attention to what s/he does in the session that feels good to you. You may discover that when your foot is in a flare-up of inflammation that you will not be able to tolerate touch; that is normal. Try to work on both your feet in between flare-ups and the non-affected one when you are in the midst of a flare-up. Have you consulted with a natural nutritionist to see how changing your food choices helps?
I was diagnosed with polio at 13 months. I am now 66 yrs. old and just retired from 38 yrs. of teaching. I walked with crutches and braces for many years and now use a wheelchair, but am very active and involved with children’s emotional and learning issues (1st Do No Harm), in other words there are healthy solutions. Back to gout: I don’t seem to be acidic (blood work), but I do have 16 scars on my feet and legs from experimental surgeries performed when I was a child. I also had a spinal fusion-no metal, just lamb bone. I haven’t taken a prescription drug in 25 yrs. or so and refuse the drugs for gout. Medicine seems to result in toxic side effects which is common for post polio folks. I am getting gout attacks a couple of times a month maybe. I soak in Epsom salt, take red cherry juice and celery juice extracts, use DMSO, and a homeopathic KingBio Gout Symptoms. All this helps. If an attack gets on the way, goodbye sleep, and it is exhausting. Usually it winds down about the time to rise and shine! I am planning to look up a reflexologist and some other options. My diet is pretty good and I am considered a bit of a health nut. Any suggestions?
Dorothy – you are an inspiration! You exemplify how good habits can overcome even serious health challenges. The things you are doing currently for the gout sound spot on. Even besides the gout, I think you could benefit from reflexology. You have had a lot of trauma to your feet with those surgeries. Check http://www.arcb.net and/or reflexology-usa.org to find qualified people. Thank you for sharing your testimonial to good living! all the best.
Hello Karen, I would like to know why the adrenals , kidney , and all the lymphatic reflexes are treated for Gout and how treating these reflexes can help? Thank you.
Hi Fabi ~ Gout is an inflammatory condition; supporting the adrenals in an inflammatory condition is always helpful. The adrenals respond to all attacks on the body, work hard to combat and can become fatigued. The kidneys produce most of the excess crystal deposits accumulated in the joints, so we work them to help restore proper functioning of these organs. And finally, the lymph systems is trying to remove these deposits from the body, so certainly needs our support. Is that clearer?
I have just had my first experience of gout, unbelievable pain.,The problem that I recognize most is the failure, in myself, to recognize the symptoms, making unassociated assumptions as to why I have the pain. For examples, I have recently spent four days teaching where the classrooms and teachers rooms are on different floors, so lots of walking up and down stairs, I have also helped three people move house, so lots of heavy lifting. I have a good, varied diet, a little too much alcohol and I am overweight, but gout was unexpected. On reflection, however, I have had lots of early warnings, the problem now is that these went unheeded and I probably have a high uric acid blood level that I need to work on to decrease. So, low purine foods, lots of cherry juice, avoiding fructose, increase in dairy products, and reflexology now that the pain has subsided. There are a number of associated reflex points that are uncomfortable.
Mike – that is so often the case, that foot conditions sneak up on us. We rely on them so much to carry our weight and move us forward and don’t pay particular attention to them until they are screaming at us. Awareness and mindfulness are more than half the battle, and it sounds like you’ve got that one. Good luck!
I work out a lot, I’m in good shape, have bad genes, chloresteral, blood pressure and thyroid, all controlled with Meds. Annoys me that I eat well but have my 3rd gout flare up. I do drink too much but I’m trying to get this under control. I like all your posts and hope some of your ideas help.Cherry juice sounds good, seeing cherries are out of season.
I’m sorry to hear of your frustration and obvious pain from gout Sharon. Have you considered working with a nutritionist, starting with some blood work? Your efforts to reduce your consumption of alcohol are commendable; alcohol is a big contributor to gout.
Karen, is there a book you might recommend on nutrition for this? Thanks, Sharon
Sharon – I don’t. I would start by looking on Amazon and see what comes up.
Hi all,
I think I had my first gout episode for 10 days. It disappeared on the 3rd day, then it came back again and again. It got stronger during the night and weaker during the day.
Finally, I could only walk on one of my feet. I started jumping on one feet to move ..then……
I just found out by reading the internet. On the 10th day, I started using baking soda at least twice a day;half teaspoon. I also ate cherry, took 1000 mg vitamin C, banana and massaging kidney reflexology point. Pomegranate concentrate. On the 11th day by morning, pain went down 70%. And situation seems to be improving steadily. I could walk again (not using the whole feet)
You may ask what helped most. My current bet is baking soda. I cannot be absolutely sure as gout is said to go away on its own. Maybe this is what happens to be. Let us just say it did not seem to go away but who knows?
Before taking baking soda, I drank some mineral water with 8.8ph. Thinking it would help, it would be good replacement for baking soda but it was not. Rapid change started with baking soda.
Note: I experienced some quite bad side effect when I used baking soda with some antacid (Zantac). (Vomiting, cold shiver.. extreme thirst 2L-3L) which disappeared when I did not take the antacid, only the baking soda.
I’m so glad you found remedies that helped you. The vitamin C, cherry and pomegranate are known to help (I don’t include them in my posts since I am not a qualified nutritionist that can legally advise on what to take internally). I suspect the baking soda helped so much because it is very alkaline; a high acidic environment plays into creating the gouty situation to begin with. Good sleuthing on your part!!
My dad has just been diagnosed with gout in his knee. He has atrial fibrillation and a thyroid problem. He is on medication, warfarin being the most important. Is it safe to give him a reflexology treatment?
It sounds like your father’s body could use some deep relaxation Louise, so I hope that reflexology can be administered to him. I would suggest you ask his primary physician, making sure to let the doc know that reflexology will increase circulation of the blood and lymph and shift the autonomic nervous system into a parasympathetic state.
Thank you Karen for your advice and encouragement and to all those who posted their different solutions…I am going to do my utmost to follow ALL the different strategies…first and foremost…NO ALCOHOL…not a big drinker but of late been enjoying a out 2 glasses of mostly sparkling g wine with some real champagne interspersed…my diet always very good in the past has become abominable… that’s the next step along with the reflexology! I have always believed I the benefits…ordered some alkaline type supplement..waiting for that…not sure I could stomach drinking baking soda…buy will definitely try soaking in Epsom salts…
Vit c is doable and bananas although my preference are greenish bananas…cherries aren’t that easy to come by here so where to find pure cherry and pomegranate juices? I live in South Africa in a rather remote area In Zululand…I realise you couldn’t assist with this…just thought I would let you know your site has great reach!
Again thank you.
Margot
Margot – Thanks for taking the time to write. Since tart cherries and pomegranates aren’t native to your part of the world, search out other foods indigenous to Zululand that help to reduce uric acid crystals in the body. A nutritionist would be able to steer you in the right direction. The planet provides our needed medicines in different forms in different parts of the world. Good luck!
You can buy cherries and pomegranates from Woolworths in SA.
My boyfriend started getting gout at around age 35, and it manifests in any & all joints – rarely in his big toe. He’s had it in his knee, elbow, wrist, and finger joints several times. The doctors are always surprised at this, but am not really sure why, as the uric acid crystals easily settle into any joint. Two of his major triggers seem to be ice cream and beer, so he avoids those, as they usually trigger a gout attack the very next day. He does still drink hard alcohol quite often – but stops at the first twinge of gout. Exercise is also a trigger – he can only do very light exercise and can’t stay on his feet for more than 2 hours, otherwise an attack ensues. The doctor has him on Allipurinol, which has been helping quite a bit – but he still needs to avoid those main triggers. Also, we suspect his idiopathic anemia was a factor (not enough blood to circulate and keep the crystals moving through his blood stream). Every time the anemia gets bad, gout occurs. To make it worse, he constantly forgets to drink water, which of course is essential to expelling excess uric acid.
But on to the methods we’ve used to help! First, I use a juicer to create a blend meant to flush toxins: 1 green apple, 2 cucumbers, 4 celery stalks, 1 bundle of parsley, 1 medium ginger, and juice of 1 lemon. He drinks this 2x daily for the first 2 days of the gout attack.
Also, I created a gout spray and use this during his reflexology treatments – focusing mainly on kidney, but next time I’ll also work the adrenal and lymphatic sections as this article suggests. For the spray, mix equal amounts of the following essential oils (I use about 15 drops of each) in a small spray bottle with 1 oz of your favorite carrier oil (I use avocado oil).
• Juniper Berry
• Geranium
• Helichrysum
• Rosemary
• Chamomile
• Lemongrass
• Thyme
• Peppermint
This spray mixture is also excellent to use directly on the effected site, as it helps relieve pain almost instantly, and also helps improve circulation. He swears that he can feel the little crystals moving around after spraying this on the area! Hopefully these solutions can help others too. He went from being a disbeliever in things like Reflexology and Essential Oils to a thorough advocate!
Thank you so much, Colleen, for sharing your approaches. I so appreciate that you took the time, and I trust others will learn from your positive experiences.