Being on your feet all day can stop you from enjoying yourself once you get home from a hard day’s work because of the pain you might be dealing with. Believe it or not, the quality of your shoes can both cause and prevent chronic pain and fatigue. You can eliminate foot pain with the ideas in this article. Proper work footwear provides the necessary support and space for your feet to help eliminate that work-related pain in your legs, hips, and back. Who knew that the shoes on your feet could have such a huge effect on the condition of your entire body? Your Feet are the Foundation of a Healthy Body From the moment you begin walking around your first birthday, you begin to develop the muscles that will define the traits of your adult posture. Overpronation is when one foot falls in more than the other and causes the pelvis and torso to sit at a twist to compensate. This posture affects how your body functions against gravity as you grow and can potentially lead to chronic back pain. To prevent this from happening, to override your body’s natural bad posture, and eliminate that chronic back pain, wear supportive shoes that fit well and level your hips. Regular exercise also helps to strengthen your core and stability to improve your posture. Common Causes of Foot-Related Pain in the Workplace Foot-related pain is not always reported as a work-related injury, but surveys suggest that two out of every three people suffer from some sort of foot problem. Common causes can include: - long periods of standing - hard flooring - ill-fitting shoes or work boots - high heels - pointed-toe shoes - little to no arch support - strenuous work - synthetic shoes - sweaty feet or fungal infections, caused by a hot or humid environment Common Foot-Related Injuries in the Workplace Unfortunately, every workplace poses a hazard to some sort of foot injury, but the hazards differ greatly depending on the environment and the job is done. These hazards should be addressed and fixed as soon as possible. However, the best way to prevent work-related injuries, despite a threatening environment, is to make sure your work shoes fit and support you well. Some examples of foot-related injuries include: - broken bones - cuts - burns - and twisted ankles How Your Position, Flooring, and Footwear Contribute Standing for long periods of time can cause permanent damage to your feet. It can potentially cause flat feet and inflammation that could later lead to arthritis if not treated. Flooring can also have an effect on your feet. Hard, concrete floors can act like a hammer on your heel every time your foot touches the ground. Slippery and unleveled floors can pose falling hazards and result in sprained or broken ankles. Good footwear can do wonders in protecting your feet and ankles, even in the poorest of conditions. Footwear that is of low quality or falling apart can increase the risk of injury exponentially. Things to Consider When Buying Work-Related Footwear Occupational hazards should be addressed at the source to create the safest work environment possible. However, this does not always eliminate all potential hazards. Proper work-related footwear is essential to minimize your exposure to these threats. When buying protective footwear, remember: - the shoes or boots should be made of natural material to allow your feet to breathe and prevent athlete’s foot. - feet often differ in size, so have both feet measured and buy shoes for the bigger foot. - consider wearing shock-absorbing insoles if you work on hard surfaces, like concrete. - avoid high heels and pointed-toe shoes. - work boots come with a variety of safety features, like steel toes and non-slip soles. Choose the pair according to the hazards in your workplace and the needs of your feet. It’s important to do some research or ask someone with expertise before choosing the best option for you and for the job you have. As you can see, there are quite a few features to consider and in that sense, you can see more examples here. Go Barefoot When You Are Off Duty While good footwear is essential to providing support and protection for your feet at work, there are many benefits to going barefoot when you are off duty. When you are barefoot, your feet are no longer constricted, and you can stretch and move your feet freely. Populations who regularly go barefoot actually have less of foot-related pain, fatigue, and deformities that normally occur in modern societies. A-Listers Who Support Orthotics Hollywood is full of people wearing shoes that do nothing to prevent or eliminate foot-related pain and fatigue. However, famous women like Scarlett Johansson have even admitted to wearing orthotics on the red carpet. Helena Bonham Carter has even taken off her heels and walked down the red carpet barefoot. Orthotics are no longer limited to those “ugly” shoes that first come to mind; now you can get red-carpet-worthy shoes that are also good for your feet. Final Thoughts Proper footwear can eliminate work-related pain and fatigue by providing the necessary support and protection from workplace hazards. If they fit well, they can help you develop good posture and help prevent future issues, like chronic back pain and arthritis.