For most of their work shifts, medical workers usually walk in the hospital wards, climb flights of stairs, and stand for long hours. So, it’s not surprising that many complain about a host of body pains, particularly in the feet and legs.
If you work in health care, you could be able to soothe numerous work-related aches and pains by concentrating on the health of your feet and hands. Because you are in the medical industry, you should definitely invest in custom shoe insoles, orthopaedic insoles, heel silicone pad, forefoot cushion pads, and other foot care accessories such as antiperspirant for feet. Sometimes, slight changes to your routine could make a big difference. Also, please read this post here for an in-depth insight on how crucial it is to choose the proper footwear for the job.
In addition, here are some foot care tips for a medical worker like you:
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Take Note Of The Pain
Pain is something that you should never shrug off. When there’s discomfort in your leg or foot, it means that something is wrong. Although popping some painkillers may ease your backache, leg strain, and any other discomfort, taking medication may only be a band-aid solution. If you don’t get rid of the root cause of the problem, you’ll continue to experience aching legs and feet.
A visit to your foot doctor or physical therapist is what you may need to address the problem. Your sessions with physical therapists can help alleviate pain, prevent further injuries, and manage your condition such as diabetes or other diseases, which contribute to your painful legs and feet.
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Choose The Right Footwear
If you’re experiencing foot pain after your hospital shift, you may want to look at the shoes you’re wearing. On top of other factors, pain in the area usually means you’re wearing the wrong type of footwear or ill-fitting shoes. High-heeled shoes and leather shoes may look spectacular, but they’re not ideal footwear for medical workers, especially those who work long hours standing and walking around in the hospital.
So, if you’re a nurse, technician, hospital attendant, or any medical worker, you might want to look for ultra-comfortable shoes, such as athletic shoes or nurse clogs. These shoes are designed to provide slip-resistant soles and extra padding to prevent pain and injury.
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Ensure They Fit Well
As mentioned earlier, one cause of foot pain is ill-fitting footwear. Even if you’re not a medical worker, you’re still prone to foot discomfort if you wear shoes smaller than your foot. Overly tight shoes can cramp your toes and the footwear material may cut your skin and cause blisters. If you’re considering wearing big shoes to prevent your toes from being restricted, then you might want to reconsider because loose shoes could make you prone to falling, slipping, and other mishaps.
So, when trying out a shoe, try to wriggle and bend your toes a bit. If it’s challenging to do that, then this most likely means your toes are constrained. So, you may want to try footwear that’s a half-size bigger or wider.
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Consider Using An Insole
Insoles are designed to provide extra padding for comfort. Purchase a good quality insole from Lifebalance.ae, It will help in preventing foot problems, such as plantar fasciitis. If you’re suffering from a foot problem, the insole may also minimize pain as it eases the shock and pressure your feet must bear while you’re working.
Since several types of insoles are available in the market, picking the right one could be tricky. Choosing the wrong pair will not help you with your pain problem. It could even make matters worse. So, you may want to see a specialist to help you pick the right one for your condition and type of work.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
Your body weight could have a significant impact on your foot health, primarily if you work in industries that require workers to be always on their toes, just like in a hotel, restaurant, or hospital. If you’re already using a good pair of shoes, but you still experience back and feet pain after a day’s work, you might want to check your weight.
Being overweight might apply more pressure on your back and feet. Losing even a few pounds might make a difference in the health of your feet. So, you may want to consider it if you’re already suffering from chronic pain.
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Do Some Stretching
When you’re standing for long hours, blood circulation in your lower extremity might suffer, causing several problems, including pain. To prevent this from happening, stretch your toes and feet as often as you can during your shift. Doing stretches and moving your feet and toes are also good practices for those who sit for long hours at work.
After your shift and you’re already home, stretching for a few minutes could provide countless benefits, too. Hence, you can try curling your toes several times and stretching your calves before you sleep.
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Trim Your Toenails Regularly
Infection and pain are just two of the things that ingrown nails can cause. Toenails cramped inside your shoes for extended periods may be the leading cause of ingrown nails. Once this problem worsens, your only solution may be to have the infected toenail surgically removed.
Good grooming is what you need to prevent ingrown nails. Keep your toenails trimmed straight across. But remember not to overcut your toenails, too. Doing so may also cause infection, particularly when your toes are cramped inside your shoes and it’s wet due to sweat.
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Give Your Feet A Treat
If there’s one part of your body that has been bearing the brunt of your weight day in and day out since the day you started walking, it’s your feet. So, after a tiring day at work, you might want to give your feet some TLC.
Here are some things that you could do to help your feet recover from a tiresome workday:
- Soak your feet in lukewarm water, preferably with Epsom salt and some scented oil like mint, lavender, or chamomile.
- Give your feet a massage.
- Moisturize your feet after taking a bath or shower to prevent cracking and callousness.
- Raise your legs for a few minutes to help boost blood circulation.
- Wear socks during bedtime, especially during winter.
Bottom Line
If you’re a medical worker, you shouldn’t suffer foot pain in silence. There are simple things you can do to help ease your leg and foot discomforts. You can start by getting the right pair of shoes to wear during your shifts.
Ultimately, caring for your feet will surely give you more mileage at work.
