How to Keep Your Feet Happy at Work

Full time work can really work your feet over, especially if you have to do a lot of standing or walking on the job. Between aircraft manufacturing, healthcare, and education (among others), there’s certainly no shortage of those kinds of jobs around Wichita!

Unfortunately, foot pain from work not only makes you an unhappier and less productive worker, but it can also extend into your weeknight and weekend time. Going for a run, working around the house, going shopping—how many of us have found ourselves doing less and less of what we love on our “off” time because our feet get beat up at work?

Fortunately, not all hope is lost. Here are some tips for keeping your feet happy at work:

• Get a comfy pair of shoes. And by “comfy,” we don’t mean slippers! Make sure your shoes offer not only adequate cushioning, but also proper support for your arch. You also want the heel the be slightly raised—flats are a no-no.
• If you have problems with feet swelling, try pressure or compression socks.
• Take full advantage of your break time. Both standing and sitting can be problematic for feet if you do either all day. Make it a point to sit when you can if you stand at work, and go for a walk if you sit.
• If you’re spending a lot of time in one spot or within a small area (in front of a classroom, at a cash register, behind a counter, on an assembly line …), buy a cushioned mat and place it at your workstation. In a pinch, even a flattened cardboard box would do the trick. You just want an extra layer of shock absorption between your feet and the concrete or linoleum.
• Stretch at work. Whenever you can, take a few seconds or a few minutes to wiggle your toes, stretch your calves, roll your ankles, etc. This helps you loosen tight tendons, resist soreness and swelling, and keep your blood pumping.

If pain persists despite these changes, it doesn’t mean that you’re destined to be miserable. It just means you need to make an appointment with Dr. Tom Truong at the Kansas Foot Center!