Why Getting Pedicures Is Part of My Self-Care Routine with RA

After my knee operation and symptoms from rheumatoid arthritis, painting my own toenails was no longer an option. Now, getting pedicures is about more than being pampered.

One of my favorite self-care rituals is getting a pedicure. I started this many years ago, and it has continued to be an activity that brings me joy.

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What exactly is self-care?

Self-care is simply a practice or ritual a person does to take care of their body and mind.

Self-care habits can range from regularly exercising and eating well to getting a massage and spending time on your own beauty regimen. Anything you do to take care of yourself or treat yourself that adds joy to your day can be self-care.

Self-care can mean different things when you live with a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis. Self-care routines can be even more beneficial to manage pain and handle daily stress.

Why I enjoy getting a pedicure

There are different types of pedicures, but the basic idea is sitting in a nice comfy chair (that usually has a massager with it), getting your feet scrubbed and moisturized, and then getting your toenails trimmed and painted.

This is usually performed by a beauty therapist or a nail technician, who should hold specific qualifications and licenses dependent on your U.S. state.

To find out if a nail salon is properly licensed, search for the salon’s name on your state’s cosmetology/barbering board. Nails magazine also has a list of state board websites and contact information.

I’d gotten pedicures on and off over the years for special events like my wedding or vacation, but it had never been something I did regularly. I didn’t want to spend the money on it when I could easily paint my toenails at home.

After I had knee surgery 4 years ago and as I’ve struggled with continued knee issues, it has been more difficult to bend down to paint my own toenails. It’s frustrating when I can’t bend down properly, as the polish gets messed up. It becomes something that aggravates me both mentally and physically.

I went to a nail salon shortly after knee surgery to get my toenails painted since I had restrictions on bending and mobility. I quickly realized just how relaxing getting a pedicure can be.

For 45 minutes, I get to sit still, read a book or do something on my phone, have my favorite drink, and just hang out for a little bit.

Not only does getting a pedicure allow me to avoid bending down and save my knee from further irritation, it’s also relaxing and peaceful. Not to mention, it keeps my toes looking pretty!

The power of pedicures

If you’re looking for a simple self-care ritual to try, I recommend trying a pedicure.

Even if this is something you only end up doing every few months, I think it can be a helpful addition to anyone struggling with mobility or chronic pain. Pedicures can also be very soothing and give you some much-needed time to relax.