From emergency room nurses to sales representatives, there are several jobs that require employees to stand all day. Spending that much time on your feet can have serious consequences. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent constant discomfort. To understand what standing does to your feet and what a podiatrist recommends to keep them in good shape, here’s what you should know. 

What Are the Consequences of Standing All Day?

1. Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is the band of tissue that supports the foot arch. It runs along the bottom of the foot, from the heel bone to the toes. Standing for prolonged periods places stress on the tissue, causing small tears to form. The condition, known as plantar fasciitis, causes dull or shooting heel pain. You can tape the bottom of the foot or use custom orthotics to support the arch and reduce stress on the plantar fascia. A podiatrist might also recommend physical therapy or surgery to repair the tissue. 

2. Bunions

A protrusion at the base of your big toe could be a bunion. When the big toe presses against the toe beside it, the joint begins to stick out, causing the noticeable bulge. Standing for long periods stresses the foot; bunions can form when there’s no space in shoes to wiggle toes. Surgery will correct the joint deformation. In the meantime, wearing shoes with a wide toe box will prevent bunion progression. You can also place a gel pad in the shoe to take pressure off of the area. 

3. Poor Circulation

Prolonged standing can also disrupt normal blood circulation, causing feet to swell. Fatigue and cold or tingling sensations in feet are common symptoms of poor circulation, too. In addition to wearing compression socks to combat swelling, a podiatrist will also recommend exercises that are designed to improve circulation.  

If standing all day leaves your feet tired and achy or you’ve experienced any of the above problems, reach out to St. Peters Foot & Ankle: Samual T. Wood-DPM for help. With over two decades of experience, the foot doctor provides effective treatment to improve the mobility and quality of life of patients throughout Missouri’s St. Charles and St. Louis counties. To schedule an appointment, call (636) 720-0190 in St. Peters or (314) 921-1020 in Florissant. Visit the podiatrist online for a list of conditions they treat.