Your Feet Work With You
Working on your feet all day can cause issues with your feet, legs, and back. According to the Society of Podiatrists, each year 2 million sick days are lost due to lower limb disorders. Many of these sick days could be prevented by wearing the right shoe for the job and following a daily foot care routine.
Whether you’re cooking on a restaurant line, cutting hair in a salon, teaching in a classroom, or folding T-shirts at a clothing store, making an extra effort to take good care of your feet and legs can go a long way toward staying healthy and happy.
- Buy the right shoes…in the right size
As you may have guessed, wearing supportive and comfortable shoes while working on your feet is extremely important. Avoid narrow-toed shoes or high heels. Our therapeutic shoes will aid in absorbing shock, distributing weight and supporting the foot. Proper fit is also important, we can’t say it enough, shoes that are too big or too small will add to foot fatigue and foot pain.
Changing shoes every other day or even during the day can help to alleviate foot pain and fatigue by changing the pressure points and support of your foot, providing relief to overused areas and activating different muscle groups. So, avoid the temptation to have just one pair of “work shoes.” Reward yourself for all that hard work by going shopping! Your feet will thank you.
- Reduce the time spent standing or walking
Alternate standing and walking with sitting whenever possible. Sitting a few minutes every hour can provide some relaxation and relief for tired legs. If that is not an option, walking will also provide benefits by increasing blood flow to the legs. When that is not an option either, shifting balance from one leg to the other will allow one leg to rest while the other supports the body.
- Use insoles, inserts, arch supports or orthotics
Everyone’s feet are different and may have additional support needs. If you have abnormal foot mechanics, such as overpronation/flat arches, an arch support will help keep your foot in the correct position, supporting your arches and reducing stress on your feet, lower legs and back. Our shoes are shipped with dual insoles, so that you can find the perfect fit and support for your feet.
- Pay attention to your sock choice
Believe it or not, socks can make a big difference in your comfort. Socks use technology to help the foot in many ways, such as wicking moisture away from the foot to keep it dry. Antibacterial or copper socks can help reduce foot odor, anti-friction socks can prevent blisters and hot spots. Many socks have additional padding under the balls or heels of the foot or across the instep, and some socks even support the arch with additional stretch material.
- If possible, modify the floor surface
Most buildings have concrete floors, the worst surface to stand on. Any type of padding, mats, carpet or even cardboard will decrease the impact on the feet. The best type of padding is an anti-fatigue mat. Clearly if you’re a flight attendant, this might not be feasible. But cashiers, this is something you might consider.
icsShoes carries a wide variety of shoes for many lifestyles and foot issues. Give us a call, and let us help you find the perfect fit for your feet. When you work on your feet all day, it’s essential to find the right shoe with the perfect fit.