You know your body needs your help to stay healthy. You brush your teeth, you put on sunscreen – and your feet need your attention, too! After all, they carry the weight of your entire body about 5,000 steps a day. We cram them into shoes and then walk to the bus, or stand on them for hours at a time at work. Your hard-working feet deserve a little love in return. Having happy and healthy feet at work is a topic our podiatrists are very passionate about, and they have shared some of their top tips for keeping your feet happy all day long!

Find The Right Shoe

The number one, most important rule is to make sure you have the right footwear. Whether you’re on your feet all day or stuck at a desk, the importance of wearing the right footwear is one thing every job has in common. Whilst the choice of footwear varies on the type of work, the basic principles remain the same.
– Find the right shoe for your work requirements. This might seem like a no brainer, but many people often go for style over suitability. Your shoes might look cool, but if they’re not suited correctly to your daily activities, your feet will show the effects in the future.
– Make sure they fit! Again, this may seem like a no brainer, but people often put up with shoes that are too big or too small. This can cause problems with arch and heel pain, circulation and blisters.
– Choose a breathable shoe. Having a shoe made from breathable material can help prevent issues like athletes’ feet.
– Don’t forget about orthotics. Getting orthotic shoes is great, but you can always add an * orthotic insole to increase the suitability and comfort of your shoes.

Remember to Stretch

If your work involves sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time the risk of muscle tightness is increased. It is vital to stretch your feet and calves in order to lengthen and tighten the lower limb muscles. Calf raises, the runners stretch and the classic flex-and-wriggle are among the most effective to increase blood flow to the foot area, and reduce swelling.

It is recommended that stretches should be done every hour, but if this is not possible at work, the flex-and-wriggle can be done from a sitting position every now and then.

Good Posture is Key

Good posture is a critical element to everyday life, and begins with your feet! It’s important to remember to distribute the weight not only evenly from one foot to the other, but evenly from the toes to heel of each foot. This means no leaning or shifting of weight. Some simple tips to keep our posture in check are:
– Rolling the shoulders back
– Engaging the core
– Stand tall
– Keeping a slight bend in the knees will not only reduce foot pain but also ease the strain on the knee joint as well.

Foot Loving at Home

Foot care doesn’t stop when the workday is over! Making sure you give those feet some TLC at home is crucial for overall foot health.

Raising your feet to let gravity pull pooled blood from your feet will soothe not only your feet but also your mind. A foot massage is a relaxing and enjoyable way to look after your feet, too – accompanying this with an ice bath (whilst cold) is the perfect way to soothe your feet after a long day. Keeping your feet clean and dry will reduce the risk of athlete’s foot.

If you’re experiencing foot pain or discomfort, or just need some tailored advice for your foot health, a podiatrist can help diagnose any underlying conditions or help you identify the right shoe for you.

Get in touch with our team of expert podiatrists today to get your feet feeling happy and healthy! Call us on (07) 5522 1230 or make an appointment here.

*If you’re in need of orthotic footwear or insoles our friends at Foot Health Solutions have a range of products available.

Posted in Foot Care

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