Got a painful ailment or irritating niggle? These quick remedies can help
Can’t get an appointment with your GP? No time to talk to your local pharmacist? Or maybe you don’t think your health niggle is serious enough to ask for help? That doesn’t mean you can’t get relief – and the answer could be found closer to home. Try these simple ways to ease and cure some of those common complaints. Some are free, others make use of household items – which you’ll probably already have – and some are simple solutions you might not have thought of. Keeping well doesn’t have to be tricky!
Soothe sore feet
Swelling and pain is common as you age as feet can change. ‘Tendons and ligaments gradually loosen and the foot arch flattens,’ says podiatrist Tony Gavin. Here’s what could help:
1WEAR THE RIGHT SHOES
Choose a cushioned heel, arch support and try insoles. ‘A contoured foot bed for support helps your feet maintain their natural shape,’ says podiatrist Janet McGroggan.
2MASSAGE
Roll a tennis ball along the sole of your foot, focusing on the arch, to relieve aches and pains. Travel back and forth for one minute before swapping to the other foot.
3STRETCH
Sit on the floor with legs out straight. Loop a towel around the ball of your foot and pull gently towards you to stretch the foot muscles. Hold for 10 seconds, then release.
4TRY ICE
Use an ice pack for up to 20 minutes to help ease pain.
Heal a headache
When your head starts to pound, it’s natural to just reach for pain relief medication, but there are plenty of drug-free options to help instead:
5DROP YOUR CHIN
Sit up, put your hands behind your head, and drop your chin to your chest, says physiotherapist Sammy Margo. ‘Press your chin down, hold for one minute, turn to the right and hold for a further minute. Return to the centre. Repeat to the left.’
6WEAR A MOUTH GUARD
Grind your teeth at night? A common symptom is a headache the next day.
7BOOK AN EYE TEST
Eye strain is a headache trigger that can be alleviated by wearing glasses or contact lenses. See your optician for an eye test – if you’re over 60, it’s free on the NHS.
8SWITCH YOUR BREAKFAST
Eat wholegrain porridge – it’s high in magnesium, which relaxes nerves and muscles. Deficiency in the mineral has been linked to a rise in
