5 Secrets to Reducing Foot Pain at Work

 

Whether you are a salesperson, a police officer, a construction worker, a teacher, a restaurant employee, or a professional athlete, the pain from standing on your feet for long periods of time directly affects your mood and job performance. When your feet hurt at work, the day drags on because there is no relief from the aching, numbness, throbbing, and tingling until you clock-out for the day. In order to keep working efficiently and prevent lower leg problems and other foot problems, here are a few tips that will reduce your foot pain.

 

Use Anti-fatigue Floor Mats

If you are a worker who has to stand in one spot or in a small area for hours, such as a chef or machinist, you might want to purchase some quality anti-fatigue mats or rubber padded area rugs to stand on. Standing for eight or more hours strains the body as it becomes tense from battling gravity to maintain balance. Anti-fatigue mats are engineered to encourage blood flow in the legs and promote the natural sway movement of the upper body. This layer of cushioning between your feet and the hard floor will alleviate the fatigue not only of the feet and leg muscles, but also of the entire body.

 

Wear Supportive Shoes

The shoe experts at Alegria Shoe Shop, designers of comfortable and unique working shoes, suggest investing in a pair or two of work shoes that are ergonomically designed to provide support and comfort. Good shoes that fit well will improve your posture and disposition because they are designed to leave extra room for your toes and reduce pressure on the soles of your feet.

 

Implement Foot Stretch Exercises into Daily Routine

There are quite a few foot stretch exercises that can be performed during your lunch break and small breaks during the day. Stretching your feet and calf muscles will keep the muscles and ligaments in your legs and feet warmed up and prepared to deal with the physical stress of standing all day. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons outlines nine foot and ankle strengthening exercises that can performed at work or home.

 

Replace Insoles

There is a good chance you will wear out the insoles of your work shoes before the shoe needs replacing. Inserting a pair of quality removable insoles in your shoes will lessen the amount of pressure that is put on your feet. Arch supports, orthotic insoles, and other shoe inserts provide therapy for foot problems that result from not having sufficient orthopedic support when you walk or stand.

 

Change Your Diet

Drinking plenty of water and limiting your salt and sugar intake will help you maintain a healthy weight. Extra body weight can lead to foot fatigue and swelling in the ankles and feet. While the snacks in the vending machine are tempting, you may want to opt for a bottle of water and a piece of fruit.

 

According to the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, Americans take-off 2 million sick days each year due to leg, ankle, and foot injuries. While the daily grind on your feet cannot be avoided, following the above suggestions will alleviate sore feet, Plantar Fasciitis, and other foot deformities that result from standing on your feet all day at work.

 

Categories: anti-fatigue floor mats, foot pain, new insoles, supportive shoes, work foot stretches

How Your Poor Biomechanics Can Cause Your Foot Pain

 

The human body evolved to allow walking upright, with the feet and joints taking most of the weight load. The correct biomechanics of the foot and ankle allow efficient movement in a variety of different configurations. However, when the biomechanics of these structures become misaligned, a variety of problems can occur, which result in foot pain, stiffness and limited motion.

 

Understanding Foot Biomechanics

The ankle is key to successful walking motion. The ankle is a modified hinge joint that transfers forces from the foot to the leg. The three bones of the ankle are connected with ligaments, tendons and muscles. The foot is made up of 26 different bones, with numerous joints. The largest joint of the foot is the subtalar joint, and this joint is where misalignment either in an inward direction or outward direction generally occurs.

 

Pronation and Supination

During walking, the foot alternates between swing phase and stance phase. When the heel strikes the ground and turns inward during the stance phase, pronation occurs. Pronation is a rolling action that allows feet to adapt to different surfaces, as well as to absorb the shock from contact with the ground. Supination occurs when the foot rolls outward as the arch rises. Excessive pronation and supination is the cause of many biomechanical problems that can affect not only the foot itself, but the ankles, back and hips, as well.

 

Treating Biomechanical Problems

Podiatrists and chiropodists are professionally trained to treat disorders of the feet. Physicians from places such as The Foot Doctor use their knowledge and training to diagnose biomechanical problems that lead to foot pain and alignment problems that commonly occur. The podiatrist or chiropodist can then provide treatment to remedy abnormalities or weaknesses that contribute to foot and ankle problems.

 

Types of Orthotics

Orthotics are custom designed devices that are placed in the shoe to correct biomechanical problems by shifting the weight to different areas of the foot. These devices may be flexible, rigid or semi-rigid, depending on how much adjustment is required. The physician may take a plaster of Paris casting of the foot or may analyze the structure with a 3D laser scan. They can then design a suitable correction to change the biomechanics of the foot to provide relief from pain.

 

Correcting foot problems requires careful analysis of the structures of the foot and the way they work together during walking. Patients can receive treatment of these underlying problems to relieve foot pain and allow you to walk in comfort again.

 

Categories: biomechanics, chiropodist, foot pain, orthotics, podiatrist, pronation, supination