American Work Force

Studies show that 33 to 50 percent of all workers who spend more than four hours a day on their feet are affected by foot pain.

Individuals in certain professions may be more susceptible to foot pain. Do you work in one of the following areas?

Casino
Post Office
Retail
Construction
Supermarket Workers, Especially Checkout
Food Services Industry
Health Care Workers

How Are Feet Affected?

The foot has 28 bones, 33 joints, 100 muscles, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and layers of fascia (connective tissue). When we stress these areas, the foot becomes inflamed. Long periods of inflammation can permanently damage these tissues.

The main structure of your feet is formed by bones. These bones are supported by the ligaments and muscles. This unique relationship of bone, tendon, ligaments and muscles form the “arch” of your foot. It is this arch that makes your foot dynamically special, providing the strength and stability that allow your foot to function while you are standing, walking, running or jumping. The arch also acts as a shock absorber. During long periods of standing, the arch – along with other parts of your foot – can be adversely affected.

When your arches do not function correctly, proper biomechanics are lost. This not only affects the feet, but could also hurt the knees, hips and spine. A person working on their feet with poor biomechanics can be more likely to become injured due to the added stress to these other parts of the body.

Long periods of standing and walking can also worsen other medical problems. Here’s a brief list of major issues that working people might encounter:

• Plantar fasciitis – inflammation of a band of tissue on the bottom of your foot.

• Heel spurs – also called a “stone bruise,” this condition is associated with plantar fasciitis.

• Achilles tendonitis – inflammation of the Achilles tendon.

• Haglunds Deformity – also called “pump bump,” this condition is associated with Achilles tendonitis.

• Bunions and hammertoes – often worsened by wearing improper shoe gear or engaging in long periods of walking or standing

So, what happens when I spend long periods standing or walking?

The first thing that you will notice is fatigue in the foot and legs. This tired feeling eventually becomes uncomfortable, which then causes you to change the way you walk. This change in your walking pattern can lead to foot pain, and it can also affect the rest of your body. Prolonged periods of standing and walking have also been shown to affect your spine and neck.

It is well-known that working on your feet can cause foot pain, low back pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, flat feet, peripheral vascular problems, arthritis and nerve issues. If you work on your feet, let us help you protect your health – from your feet up.