I work 12 hour shifts and after 30 mins on my feet they're hurting. A day in the life of a nurse requires many long hours of standing, walking and lifting, which can cause stress on lower extremities especially feet. If you have acute pain or inflammation, apply ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes to reduce swelling and numb the area. Sign up below now! To soothe sore feet after a long shift, it's important to address these factors first and take the necessary precautions to prevent leg and foot pain after, 3. So, there is also less heaviness which lessens tiredness/leg fatigue. To avoid work-related health and foot problems, its important for nurses to take proper care of their feet. That has worked wonders for me. Because a nurses shoes get so much wear and tear, theyll need replacing every 3-6 months. Yes, yes. Standing in a surgery for over three hours can put immense pressure on your ankles and feet. I know it's been discussed on other threads but I couldn't find helpful advice. Massage Them. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. This prevents pain in the legs, and reduced fluid accumulation. By doing so, you can help your foot muscles recover quickly from the minute injuries they got from your shift. Similarly, drinking plenty of water can help reduce swelling and inflammation in your feet, which can lead to pain and discomfort. The growth of bone at the bottom of the heel can result in heel spurs. Since nurses work in a fast-paced environment with minimal breaks or sitting time, something else nurses may want to consider are compression socks (or stockings), which have proven successful in helping prevent stiff, sore legs and feet. May 30, 2002. Cookie Notice Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. Wearing the same shoes daily can cause them to wear out quickly, reducing their support and cushioning and resulting in foot pain. A great nurse foot pain remedy after a 12 hour shift is to pamper your feet with a massage and soak them in warm water. The rule of thumb, however, is to choose the shoes that feel the most comfortable for your feet. Plantar Fasciitis: heel pain/tears and strain on the plantar fascia due to inadequate foot support. If you absolutely must wear athletic shoes, look for walking or hiking shoes rather than running ones. If youve ever noticed that your shoes are particularly tight at the end of a shift or you have difficulty switching from your work shoes to regular shoes because they seem too small, youve likely experienced this medical phenomenon. Compression socks are made of snug-fitting stretchy material that gently squeezes the skin, muscles and vascular structures beneath. I hope you enjoyed this post about how to relieve foot pain from standing all day. Also, extra fat will accumulate under the skin layers make your feet larger. When you're on your feet for most of your shift, it puts a lot of stress on your limbs. To begin, choose either ice or heat based on your preference and the nature of your pain. It seems like everyone else wants to know how to relieve foot pain from standing all day as well. Just finding time to go to the toilet can be difficult. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. It occurs when the plantar fascia on the underside of the foot becomes inflamed. When you take care of your feet, your feet will take care of you. Running shoes may be very comfortable for running, but they wont give you the support you need during a 12-hour day of walking and standing. And isnt running from patient room to patient room exercise enough? For more information about working on your feet, contact Dr. Mark Spier from Maryland. A Story of Shoes in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Today, stockings come in as many varied colors as the rainbow has.. Brands like Copper compression socks for nurses are anti-microbial, anti-odor and anti-inflammatory, among other benefits. Nurse Yard's compression socks are made with high-quality materials and a specialized compression design that provides support to your feet and legs. Working on Your Feet. Worked retail for nine years, I'm getting off now and my feet hurt now. In addition to the shoe itself, shoe inserts or orthotics are good solutions for helping nurses avoid or relieve foot pain. Rolling your ankles, standing on the balls of your feet and other types of stretches can alleviate stress in your legs and improve circulation. Walking for hours with no rest breaks Standing still for long periods of time Not sleeping properly Carrying and assisting patients I always have a drink (in the break room now that we're awaiting JCAHO). When you stand tall, you distribute your weight evenly throughout your feet, reducing stress on your muscles and joints. You wouldn't think that standing still for several hours at a time can be harmful but it can. Hold for at least three breaths. The agreement will place additional work requirements on older Americans to receive food assistance, but will remove those barriers for veterans and homeless adults. The arch of the insole should not collapse under the pressure. I would come home with such aching legs and feet, I was crying. The best trick is to put on socks that act as a cushion between your shoes and feet. And also, how do you get them to stop? End with soaking your feet in cold water to combat the swelling. Point and flex foot. After you soak, gently massage your feet with moisturizer while you check them for signs of calluses, bunions, injuries and anything else that could lead to foot pain. Investing in a pair of Nurse Yard's compression socks is a simple and effective way to take care of your feet and legs, so you can focus on providing the highest quality care to your patients. Lie flat on a bed or couch, raise your legs above the level of your heart and rest there for 15-20 minutes at the end of your day. I finally found a walking shoe Model SWW202's by Spira http://www.spirafootwear.com/spirahome.html and I have purchased Birkenstock's arch supports to place inside. Not having them can be harmful to your health in the long term. With extended shifts and running back and forth between patients, doctors, the lab, and the restroom (just kidding, theres no time for bathroom breaks), nurses go home with sore, aching feet. Shoes should not slide up and down while walking. Order your pair today. If you were looking for an excuse to spoil yourself, this is it. Lets dive into common foot problems nurses face and what you can do to prevent them. Wear them during your shift to promote blood circulation from your legs and feet back to your upper body, making it less likely that youll go home with sore, swollen toes. Stretch. The Old School Low Rider IV is the ideal shoe for nurses that are on their feet for most of their shifts. In contrast, by rotating the shoes you use every few days, you give some parts of your feet a chance to breathe. Ideally, nurses should have at least two pairs of shoes which they can alternate to keep the feet healthy and free from smells. If your feet are stiff at the end of a shift, it can help to take a few minutes to stretch when you get home. Grueling 12-hour shifts seem to go by in a snap when youre wearing the right shoes. Stretching gets circulation going and removes lactic acid from the body, preventing muscle spasms, he says. Nursing involves a lot more walking than anything else, especially if you've been a student all your life and spent most of your time at a desk. Nurses who usually stand in the same area for hours on end are often the most vulnerable. Managing foot pain as a nurse or other medical professional is so important. Use these tips to keep your feet from getting tired too quickly and to rejuvenate them after a tough day on the floor. We used to do this little trick that still works for me now.Sit down after a couple of hours of being on your feet. Keep the balls of the feet on the ground and lift toes only. Ships from Phoenix, AZ with 3-5 Day FREE Shipping For All U.S. Orders + FREE Badge Reel for every order today! Foot pain is one of the biggest complaints that nurses have. I feel your pain. Deborah Swanson is a Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com a site dedicated to celebrating medical professionals and their journeys. 1. You don't need a tool to do it. If youre a healthcare or other professional who stands all day and is suffering from debilitating foot pain, there are steps you can take to help prevent or relieve the hurt. You can add essential oils that can also help reduce pain and inflammation or rejuvenate the feet, such as lavender or peppermint oil. Of course my legs are tired when I get home but I don't have the pain. And yes, I'm on my feet for 12 hours except for 10 minute breaks. If worst comes to worst, a simple foot and ankle pain can lead to disability and render you jobless. In this case, a podiatric medicine physician would create a pocket under the ball joint to balance weight more appropriately and take pressure off the problem area. With Nurse Yard's compression socks, you can invest in your own well-being and continue providing the highest quality care to your patients. Its important to do this for each individual shoe brand youre shopping for since sizes can differ. What Do I Need to Know about Continuing Education (CEs)? Relieving foot pain as a nurse might require orthotic inserts. That's why we've designed our compression socks to be both supportive and stylish. Introduction What professions are mostly affected by leg pain from standing? A proper shoe should hug the foot (specifically, the heel) comfortably, but allow the toes to wiggle freely. To measure your feet, put on socks and stand on a flat ruler. This is called macro- and microangiopathy. Since 1997, allnurses is trusted by nurses around the globe. Socks make up for its absence and shield your feet from the harsh impact of daily walking, standing and running. There are several reasons that can be directly responsible for causing your aching legs after a long shift. 2) Stretch. Its much better to be proactive, buy a new pair of shoes and prevent the problems before they even start. Combining these suggestions can give you an arsenal of foot pain-fighting tools that make it easier to get through those tough days on the job. BTW, all summer when I was working a lot of overtime my knees were killing me. Although you may be tempted to wear your favourite trainers, it's likely they're not designed for your job responsibilities. I need to stand for a long time. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services Policy. If you have any sort of heel or foot pain, be sure to visit your doctor and have it evaluated and equally as important, be sure you are wearing a supportive pair of shoes while you're at work. If you have sore feet, try standing with good posture to alleviate discomfort. Preparing For Your First Travel Nursing Assignment, 9 Tips To Relieve Foot Pain From Standing All Day, Health Benefits Of Turmeric: An Anti-Inflammatory Super Spice, NIKE Air Zoom: Nike Shoes For RM Athletes, Nurse Health: Self Care For 12 Hour Shifts. Nurses know what it feels like to be on their feet for hours at a time. It is no wonder foot pain is a common complaint among doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who spend long shifts on their feet! 6 Common Foot Problems in Nurses Tips for Nurses to Take Care of Their Feet 1. You can mix Epsom salt, essential oils, or even a few drops of your favorite bubble. Consider foot reflexology or massage by someone with experience treating plantar fasciitis. He also notes these shoes offer no heel counter and little arch support, which is another important factor when seeking the right shoe. Where I work, it seems like everyone has sore feet at the end of the day. Theres a reason why athletes perform warm-up exercises before training: They prime the body, activate the nervous system and basically prevent strain injuries. Other thing to consider is whether the shoe has arch support and is well-cushioned to prevent overpronation. To help, our podiatrists at Point Cook are sharing why your feet get achy after a long day, and what you can start doing today to help ease the aches and keep your feet pain-free. If your feet are stiff at the end of a shift, it can help to take a few minutes to stretch when you get home. Start by standing up straight with your feet hip-width apart. Gravity pulls on blood, lymph and other fluids, slowing down their normal flow and encouraging them to pool in your lower body, which leads to swelling. You can either use thicker socks or try another variety called compression stocking or hose to cope with foot pain. Elevating your feet can be a simple and effective way to reduce swelling, foot pain, and fatigue in the lower legs. When carrying patients, always make sure you avoid straining your back otherwise this will cause problems for your legs too. What often happens when nurses finally get the chance to sit down after a long shift is their muscles lock up and become stiff, making getting going again extra-tough. But as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. She keeps busy by interviewing caregivers and writing about them and loves gardening. When you're on your feet for most of your shift, it puts a lot of stress on your limbs. Wearing worn-out shoes increases your chance of developing both temporary and chronic foot problems. Heel spurs and heel pain result in plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the connective tissue which runs from the heel to the ball of the foot. From mountain pose, bend at the knees. By doing so, the old blood goes back to the circulation and is replaced by fresh, nutrient-rich blood necessary for muscle healing. This position will harness the power of gravity to drain the blood and lymph from your legs, encouraging it to flow back to your core instead. Afterward, try to walk on your toes and heel for a few seconds each. My feet hurt so bad.. pls help Hey guys. If you struggle with a lot of foot swelling and pain, compression stockingscombined with leg elevationcould really make a significant difference for you. Judi Bar, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Cleveland Clinics Yoga Program Manager and Stephen Smik, DPM, a podiatric medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic offer nurses the following foot care tips. Cayenne Pepper. Measure the length of both feet and then compare it to the brands measurement chart. Yes, the dreaded E-word. To determine good arch support, he recommends when nurses fit themselves for a shoe, they take out the insole, place it on a flat surface and apply hand pressure. Its no secret that nurses spend all day on their feet. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Additionally, nurses often work in environments that can be messy or hazardous, so having an extra pair of shoes on hand can be beneficial in case of emergencies. Nurses are like runners. Share. Wearing ear plugs and an eye mask to bed can improve your sleep and decrease the chances of it being disrupted. 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