by Princess Daisy Boo 10 Replies latest jw friends
So I started my new job last week as a decorator at a very upmarket furniture and decor store... I am on my feet for most of the day and I am really battling to cope with the tired legs and sore feet daily... For anyone that works on their feet all day, do you ever really get used to it, or do you just learn to ignore the pain? What should I be doing to minimise the pain?
Any tips and suggestion would be appreciated for this tired princess?
It doesn't matter what your job title is or how upscale the local is ... better start looking after your feet!
Wear 'good' support hose ... if you don't you'll pay the price later ... big time.
Buy the best shoes they make. Best as in .. comfort and support.
You may not look as classy as you'd like but if you are good at your job ... who cares?
get a foot massage
My job keeps me on my feet all day and all I can do is buy good quality shoes and use the silicone gelled insoles. Doing massage therapy people always ask if hands or wrists ever get sore. They are always surprised when I tell them it's my feet. I had to try several brands of padded insoles to get one that actually worked.
The ones I have now are working great (so far).
I'm on my feet for 12 hours at work. I have to wear steel toe saftey shoes. I have found the wrong or a very worn shoe will make my feet and legs sore. The right footwear might make a difference for you.
Get orthotic insoles, and make sure your arches are well supported.
When you get home, use a massage hammer - much better than the standard vibrating massager, and press it into all the muscles of the calf, and soft tissues of the feet.
Get a deep bucket, fill it with really very hot water, and soak up to the calfs.
Rub in wintergreen.
Swimming straight from work also is sooo good.
HB
Whenever you have a chance to take a break, take off your high-heels and soothe your feet with some ice packs. If you have an employee fridge in your break room, keep one of those bead-filled bags (the ones you can pop in the freezer or microwave for pain relief) in the freezer and use it whenever you have a few minutes off your feet. Repeat the ritual when you are at home.
Take pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicine - you might even want to start your work day with a dose in your system to prevent the pain from getting out of control, as much as using it to stop the pain once you already have it.
Spend a few minutes again with your ice packs at the end of the work day, before you go home, and then switch to shoes with very good support as soon as you are ready to leave work.
I have a peppermint foot balm that is a favorite for rubbing on sore tired feet at the end of my shift - I think the combination of the peppermint scent, the cooling effect of the peppermint oil in the lotion and the massage gives a lot of relief too.
I had the same problem when I worked retail. I recommend sitting on the edge of the bath tub and running fairly hot water in the tub. Soak your feet for a few minutes until the pain stops. Prop your feet and legs up and take an NSAID if you need to for a few days. Getting the right shoes makes a huge difference. If you don't have to wear dressy shoes, the best shoes I found were some boots made by Earth that are sold at Wal-mart for $29.99. I put in extra insoles. It was like walking on air and they boots were far better than much more expensive shoes.
long hot soak in hot bath followed by getting your significant other to massage those feet
After having problems with my feet I went to a foot doctor. He gave me some exercises to help but the best relief was simple. Many on here so far have said much of the same but if you soak your feet in the hottest water possible for 5 minutes then soak them in cold water for 5 minutes. It is really refreshing. It is suggested you do this at least three times a day. I like what Scully said about the peppermint, too. Also, putting them up for at least ten minutes after the soak is great. Wish you well on the new job.
Karen in Bluemont, Lenny's wife.
