Sitting for hours during the workday may be the “new smoking,” but prolonged standing can be just as detrimental. Many jobs require standing for most if not all of the day, including bartending, teaching, construction, nursing, and retail—among many others. If your career involves hours of standing, you should know how it impacts the body and what foot care practices relieve pain and discomfort.

How Standing All Day Can Hurt Your Feet

Standing for five or more hours a day can cause pain, swelling, and general discomfort in the lower half of the body, including the feet, ankles, legs, hips, and lower back. Pressure on the feet and other lower body parts worsens when shoes do not provide sufficient support because there are no cushions to compensate for the extra stress.

Poor posture aggravates the feet and other parts even more because the body is out of alignment, causing the muscles and ligaments to work harder to stabilize the spine. As the spinal column curves from misaligned posture, its ability to maintain balance and absorb shock becomes compromised.

Excessive standing also exacerbates existing conditions by impeding blood flow to the lower half of the body. Problems such as spider veins, varicose veins, bunions, plantar fasciitis, and tendinitis worsen due to lack of circulation and too much stress.

What You Can Do About It

If you stand for long periods because of work, there are many ways to take care of your body. Foot care starts by wearing supportive shoes that cushion the feet instead of creating a forceful impact every time they hit the ground. Adequate shoes do not elevate the heels more than 2 inches and provide arch support to lessen foot and leg muscle soreness.

Stretch regularly; perform downward dog and other yoga postures daily, or do assorted runner’s stretches. These exercises work the feet, legs, hips, and back. Elevate your feet and legs whenever possible to increase blood circulation to the lower part of your body. Keep your muscles iced to reduce pain and swelling. Regular massage also helps because it promotes circulation and loose muscles.

If you still have severe pain despite your efforts, see your local podiatrist. The foot specialist may identify a condition contributing to your pain, such as plantar fasciitis, and create a personalized treatment plan that includes corrective footwear.

Make foot care a priority by implementing these strategies and working with Foot & Ankle Specialists. Featuring locations in Blue Ash, Cincinnati, and Franklin, OH, these foot specialists provide patients throughout the Tri-State area with innovative treatments for a full range of foot and ankle problems. Call (513) 769-4408 today to schedule an appointment, or learn more about their services online. Add foot care tips to your feed by liking them on Facebook.