On Your Feet All Day? Follow These Tips To Minimize Damage

27 February 2017
 Categories: , Blog

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If you have a job that requires you to stand for all or most of the day, then you're probably no stranger to sore feet. But spending all day on your feet can cause more than short-term discomfort. Over time, it can lead to more serious, ongoing issues like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and corns. Luckily, there are some tips you can follow to protect your feet and reduce your risk of these ailments.

Buy good shoes.

Don't spend your day in $10 shoes from the discount shoe store. Invest a little more in a well made, well cushioned pair of shoes. Try on several pairs and walk in each one; buy the pair that fits best. If you visit a higher-end shoe store, they can measure your foot and even watch you walk -- and then recommend shoes accordingly.

Additionally, make sure you're replacing your shoes regularly. At least once a year is a good starting point, but if you notice that the soles are becoming worn down and compacted, you may need to replace yours even sooner.

Walk around when you can.

Standing in one place is actually harder on your feet than walking around a little. This is because when you stand in place, you're putting constant strain on the same muscles and tendons. Moving around a little utilizes different muscles and also gets the circulation flowing, preventing issues like hot spots and soreness. If your job does not allow you to walk, at least shift weight from foot to foot and do some marching in place when possible.

Treat your feet at the end of the day.

At the end of each day, take 10 or 15 minutes to focus on your feet. Put some massage oil in them, and rub them down. A few times a week, you may even soak them in an Epsom salts bath. Both of these habits help fight tight muscles before they have a chance to progress to something worse. You can even take this to the next level and get a pedicure once a month or so. The deeper massage will keep your muscles loose -- and the proper nail trim will help prevent ingrown toenails.

If you do start experiencing more serious foot pain, seek care from a podiatrist, like those at Better Foot Care, sooner rather than later. With issues like corns, ingrown nails, and plantar fasciitis, the sooner you start treatment the better your results will be.