Prevent Heel Pain at Work with These 6 Tips

From health care and education to aviation, energy, transportation, biotech, hospitality and more, many of Oklahoma City’s major industries require their workers to spend most of their days on their feet. For many in the workforce, the chance to avoid a desk and cubicle is a major blessing! However, one of the big downsides is heel pain, which is extremely common among people who work on their feet.

When your heels hurt, you’re not at your best. Your work performance suffers, and when you get home you don’t feel up to recreational activities you used to enjoy. Fortunately, there are many ways to help you prevent it, even in a demanding work environment.

• Alternate between sitting and standing as much as possible. Take full advantage of your lunch or break times, or a slow moment at work, to take a seat for a few minutes.
• Make sure your shoes are working with you, not against you. Even if work requires a strict dress code and tennis shoes are not an option, you still have plenty of options for stylish, professional shoes that fit great and offer optimal cushioning and support for all-day wear. Even if they cost a little more up front, they’re worth the investment.
• Soften those hard floors. If you spend a lot of time in a specific spot—say a workstation at a factory, or up in front of class as a teacher—cover the hard floor with a squishy rubber mat or rug. This will provide extra cushioning and reduce stress and tension.
• Stretch regularly. Take a few minutes every hour to stretch a bit and get the blood flowing, especially if you’re standing in place most of the day. Wiggle your toes, bend your knees, stretch those hamstrings and calves.
• Eat healthy and stay hydrated. It isn’t just your brain and stomach that need proper sustenance! Painful foot cramps are a frequent side effect of dehydration, low potassium, and other dietary imbalances. Make sure you drink plenty of water and have healthy meals and snacks prepared.
• Stop by Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma if pain continues. In many cases, self-management tips provide all the assistance you require. Unfortunately, sometimes the pain is a little more stubborn. If pain persists or gets worse, it’s a sign that something deeper is wrong and you require some extra help from a podiatrist.

At Foot & Ankle Center of Oklahoma, our team has the extensive experience, training and state-of-the-art technology to tackle even the toughest heel pain cases, usually through non-invasive means. Options we offer include , which provide the highest level of cushioning and support possible for your unique foot shape, as well as advanced shockwave therapy. To set an appointment with Dr. Elenburg, please give us a call today at (405) 418-2676.