When you are hard at work on the job, your feet are working just as hard, if not harder, than the rest of you. They keep you walking and supported throughout your shift, whether that’s waiting tables, treating hospital patients, manning a cash register, roofing a house, or teaching in a classroom. Foot pain at work is an all-too-common result—but you can avoid it with a little planning and foot care.
Foot pain is typically the result of either an accident or overuse. Accidents are hard to prevent. Typically the one thing you can do is make sure you wear appropriately protective footwear, so your feet are less likely to be damaged. Overuse and general soreness, however, is a little harder to manage. Many times it comes on slowly and you don’t notice it until it’s already a serious problem that interferes with your work.
The good news is that foot pain at work can be avoided. If you can simply take a few preventative care steps, you can go a long way in keeping your feet healthy and comfortable while working:
- Wear comfortable shoes – This should go without saying, but not everyone does this. Wear shoes that fit well, have padded soles, and plenty of arch support. Shoe inserts with extra padding or custom orthotics may help as well.
- Use a padded mat – If you stand in one place at your job, request a padded mat to reduce strain from standing on a hard surface.
- Stretch throughout the day – Stretch your calves and feet to alleviate tension and soreness in your muscles.
- Prop up your feet on breaks – Sit down and prop up your feet periodically through the day to let them rest.
- Pamper feet at home – At home, massage your feet or consider a foot bath to alleviate soreness and swelling.
Working feet need a little extra care to keep them healthy and comfortable, but the results are worth the extra effort. Don’t take your lower limbs for granted and then spend your nights limping on aching feet. Let our team at Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you take care of your lower limbs now so they can work their best on the job. You can reach us for more information or an appointment online. You can also call our three office locations in Castle Pines, Parker, and Cherry Creek, CO, at (303) 805-5156.