The intrinsic muscles of the toes, foot, calf muscle, thigh and abdomen all work together to help circulation and lymphatic flow. Collectively they make up the venomuscular pumping system. Weakness of the calf muscle pump is said to be the equivalent of heart failure so at FootCare by Nurses we have developed a technique we call the K8 maneuver to optimize the functioning of the calf muscle for those who cannot walk well. The technique involves releasing tension by tapping gently into the nervous system and releasing tension. Patients state that it feels absolutely amazing and love that we teach them how to do it at home (no gadget needed). From a nursing and patient perspective its amazing to see the difference not only immediately but also in overall wellness and skin health over time. Better pumping brings vitality, makes wounds heel up, dissipates edema, reduces pain and also has patients who struggle to walk transferring and walking much better.
A lot of this realm has to do with postural stability and connection and releasing the tension out of the connective tissues. With the K8 we even see changes in mood and affect that are long lasting and for those who are cognitively challenged the work is transformative. The K8 maneuver is not a massage, it is a healing touch technique developed by us. Touch in general is an amazing holistic healing modality afforded to nurses through licensure, and when it is connected and purposeful it is magical.
I recently presented our work at the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses National Conference and it was very well received. The reality is that medicine, pharmaceuticals and gadgets are not the only way to help patients. At FootCare by Nurses we believe that Nursing has a role and responsibility to understand how people and people systems work and that prevention of issues can happen with good nursing care.
Our work is to lean in to learning so that we not only provide excellent care, we are also involved in developing out the science of nursing care.