EFFECT OF FOOT EXERCISE AND WARM WATER FOOT SOAK ON FOOT EDEMA AMONG ANTENATAL WOMEN - A LITERATURE REVIEW

The researchers? aims to evaluate the effect of foot exercise and warm water foot soak on foot edema among antenatal women during pregnancy. There are many physiological changes taking place during pregnancy. The anatomic and physiologic changes occurring with pregnancy result in a variety of symptoms affecting the lower extremity .In which leg and foot edema is caused by the abnormal fluid retention in the tissues of the lower extremities. As the natural weight gain increases during pregnancy, the centre of gravity changes, adding excessive pressures to the knees, ankles, and feet. Edema (swelling) and over pronation (flat feet) are the two of the most common foot problems that are occurs in antenatal period Edema is common normal physiological change in late pregnancy. Warm water foot soak therapy is one of the hydrotherapeutic measure, which promotes muscle relaxation, relieves pain, dilates blood vessel and promotes circulation, relaxes the connective tissue and provides a soothing and healing effect .Exercising the feet on a regular basis not only improves overall foot health, but may also reduce risk for injury foot exercise, improves blood circulation, increases venous return, improves, muscles strengthening cardiovascular health and can help in circulation, muscle tone, and mood. So in an attempt to study which intervention foot exercise or warm water foot soak is better in relieving foot edema among antenatal women the researchers did a thorough literature review.