Work-Related Foot Pain: What You Should Know

Does your job require you to work on your feet? If so, you may experience foot pain. Standing for long periods of time can stress the joints and soft tissue in your feet, resulting in pain. While some instances of work-related foot pain are minor, though, others are more severe. By investing what, exactly, is causing your foot pain, you'll be able to prevent it from reoccurring in the future.

Standing on Hard Surfaces

You are more likely to experience foot pain if you work while standing on a hard surface like concrete. Hard surfaces offer virtually no cushion for your feet. Therefore, standing will result in greater physical stress that can manifest in the form of foot pain. A simple solution is to lay out a rug or anti-fatigue mat in the workspace. Even if your workplace has concrete floors, you can cover it with either a rug or anti-fatigue mat to provide greater support for your feet.

Lack of Stretching

Failure to stretch periodically throughout the workday can increase your risk of developing foot pain. Foot pain is typically the result of some type of injury. Injuries, of course, can occur from repetitive movements or prolonged posture. If you work in the same area while using the same posture for an extended period, you may develop foot pain. Stretching protects against foot pain -- as well as other types of injuries -- by engaging more of your body's muscles and joints.

The Wrong Footwear

Another common cause of work-related foot pain is choosing the wrong footwear. If you work on your feet, the shoes or boots you wear will play a key role in your risk of foot pain. If they offer little or no support, you'll inevitably have a greater risk of developing foot pain.

Keep in mind that no shoes or boots last forever. Over time, they'll gradually lose their ability to support your feet, in which case you'll need to replace them to maintain proper support.

Trauma

Physical trauma can cause foot pain. Physical trauma, of course, refers to a forceful blow. If you drop a tool and it lands on your foot, for example, there's a good chance it will hurt. Trauma such as this can cause bruising or even broken bones, resulting in foot pain. To protect your feet from trauma, use caution when handling and carrying heavy objects. Wearing steel-toe boots can also protect your feet from trauma by serving as a protective shield.