Folks,
What do you do to keep your feet happy after standing on them all day?
Arch supports?
Gel insloes?
Special shoes/boots
???
I am sure my arches have not come down like a truss roof loaded with tile, but my foot size has gone up over the years. I stuffed two pair of
insoles into my sneakers and that seems to help a good deal, so I wonder.
ToolBear
Replies
What do you do to keep your feet happy after standing on them all day?
Hot tub. :-)
or do you mean during the work day to avoid unhappy feet? if so.
Gel inserts. Change them every month or so.
Adam
Sneakers? Perhaps a good pair of work boots with more support will help. As with my running shoes, I can tell when my boots are getting old: My feet start to hurt. Inserts can help for a while, but wear decent shoes and get new ones more frequently.
Be gellin'
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Good boots...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Most people get some build up of hard skin on their feet as they get older, and that can cause quite a bit of discomfort. Might be worth a trip to a chiropodist, see if your feet feel any better afterwards.
A few years ago I worked in a hotel, standing up most of the day, feet were hurting a lot, went to a chiropodist, felt as if I was walking on air on the way home
John
Change both shoes and socks at lunch. Rotating shoes each day and fresh socks at lunch make your feet very happy.
If you've only got one pair of work shoes, that's one problem right there. Adding another pair of socks to the wash each day is nothing. While you are at it, buy socks at twice a year. Don't wait for socks to get holes in them to replace them. Socks lose their cushion before they get holes in them.
Happy feet = happy person.
Custom molded orthotics and newbalance running shoes.
Helped me get over a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis.
stretchies and anti inflamatories help alot too.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Any personal recommendations on custom orthodics?
Had custom arch supports some years back and was never really happy with the quality of the product vs. the cost. I would be inclined to a full foot bed that gave support instead of a half length piece of plastic that never stays put.
ToolBear
Go and see a good sports Podiatrist who knows what he is talking about with biomechanics, and get a set of custom orthotics made up. If the 1/2 length ones slip then get a top cover added to them that is full length. That way you get all the function of the plastic and it wont move. If the thing has been built right it shouldnt move anyway and it should be so comfortable as to render the user unaware of it's presence. ( really )
They take a week of gradual time increases to get used to them. If you do that part right, after that all should be cool.
It DOES however depend on what the cause of the problem is. Hence the good Podiatrist. The cost of the things is pretty high as the markup is huge, however if you want long lasting ( 10 years ) quality then you needs to pay.
As for the "collapsing arch" theory. Total load of bull. The "arch" is designed to move up and down with each step and does get lower with increasing age. If yours is "flat", no biggie. Some folks with high and supposedly "good" arches suffer just as much. It doesnt need support as it will do that for itself just fine. wedging it full of material to hold it up is just damn uncomfortable. the function of the areas either side of the arch can and do dictate it's shape.
As for how I know this, I wont say. Just trust me, I do know what I am talking about.
Everything, 100% of it, depends on how you look at it.
DW
Ah, orthotics: the same revenue stream as chiropractry, but with less chance of being sued. Oh well, 100 years ago, people lined up to buy snake-oil; can't change human nature..
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
If a proper diagnosis of the problem is made AND the orthotics are well made the results can be incredible. Get someone who only sees the $$$ signs and is of the opinion that orthotics are the cure for all that ails and problems will arrive fast. Then we are in snake-oil country.
Chiropractic medicine has its place, provided it is applied with similar principles. A cure-all it isnt. Those who claim it is are in my opinion farming the public for a profit.
Everything, 100% of it, depends on how you look at it.
DW
Hey Adan where ya been buddy long time no see :>)
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
when i worked in kitchens and did 18 hour days on concrete floors i finaly switched to redwings with a pair of birkenstock insoles(3/4 length made of cork so they dont make yor feet sweat like rubber ones do)that did the trick and ive never hadf too do anny thing else the only thiing is to bring the insoles to thhe store when yooou buy yooour boots and allways wear them because you foot rides about 1/2 an inch higher withh the in sole
imho noah
Framing, mostly. Nothing that lends itself to sitting much.
Try to find ways to get off your feet while working. What kind of work are you doing? Can some of it be done as bench work while sitting on a tall rolling swivel chair? Can you get your choice of jobs and volunteer to do crawlspace work or baseboards or something like that?
Working alone, I've put the chop saw down around coffee table height, and worked it while kneeling. This helps not only with the feet, but also with the lower back. The kneel down/stand up cycle is good exercise.
-- J.S.
Along with never wearing the same boots two days in a row (and, like the socks, if you have really sweaty feet, change them during the day). Go to the same sock regimen as with hiking boots, an inner "wick" sock (silk is the ultimate IMHO) with a thick absorbant sock over it gets the moisture away from your feet and cuts out virtually all rubbing.
Lastly, sleep with your feet elevated on a pillow.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
I have found that, in addition to other techniques, certain exercises seem to help.
Lay in bed, always a good start for an exercise program, and place your feet flat on the wall with knees at a right angle. Use your toes to drag your feet up the wall. At maximum comfortable reach reverse. Using the toes to push the feet down. Repeat the cycle a few times. You may find that the rougher the wall, within reason, the better. Bare concrete block is good.
This exercise contracts and stretches the toes and feet with them elevated so they drain down to the heart allowing fresh blood to come in. This has helped me with tired feet and swelling. The roughness abrades and smoothes tough skin and calluses. The entire process, if you keep at it a bit, can be quite stimulating.
Geeze and here the kids catch it for hand prints on the wall...
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
Thanks for the tip. I will have to try climbing with my toes. The super has some toe exercises and his flex much further than mine.
Replace the standard insole that comes with your work boots with a ski-boot insole or a custom orthotic insole. Makes a huge difference.
Also: take a daily multi-vitamin containing both magnesium and potassium; it helps with blood cirulation to the extremeties and that washes out muscle toxins that cause cramps and discomfort in general.
In summer, wear cotton socks. In winter, wear wool socks.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Had not thought of ski boot insoles. Any personal recommedations? Where does one find these? REI?
TBear
Best place to find brand new unused ski boot insoles is to know a ski pro or patroller; most of us yank the stock footbed that comes with the boot and replace it with a higher-end footbed or a custom-moulded orthotic right off the shelf; when you spend 10-11 hours a day in those things 5-6 days a week, they've got to fit perfectly and stock footbeds rarely have what it takes for a heavy, rigid boot like that. I usually have a pile of stock footbeds lying around for use in ordinary boots or shoes, where they are top-grade luxury compared to what comes in them....
If you want to pop for a few bucks, go to a good ski shop and buy a set of 'Superfeet' brand non-conformable insoles. They are what I use in my ski boots and should hold you up in your work boots quite nicely. If these are not available in your area, ask the boot salesman if he has a pair of stock insoles lying around; chances are pretty good he will.
One warning: putting a thick insole in the boot will sometimes make the boot fit like it was as much as a half-size smaller. If your work boots are a tight fit to start, this won't work for you. Or, you may have to switch to a thinner sock.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
Thanks for the tip. There is an REI a few miles off, so I can start there.
I replied to hasbeen because of the Birkenstocks at the end of the day but (totally agree) ............. the best thing I have done for my feet was a pair of "Doc Martin" Industrial Division work shoes. A bit heavy but I must admit to putting them on at times when I am not going to work ...............
burn the sneakers and get some real wook boots.
My back and feet can tell when I don't wear my boots.
I can work twice as long ... and be much fresher at the end of the day just by wearing real work boots over sneakers.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
I agree.
Used to be my feet didn't care. All day in sneakers. No problem. A few years, it seems like just a few years, and if I don't wear real boots, solid soles, insoles and shanks, I feel it by the end of the day. Often sooner.
Jobs are tough enough without my feet hurting me. Also makes me grumpy. Seeing as that I'm leaning toward curmudgeon the help demands I wear boots, get sleep and eat regularly.
One guy claimed Saddam Hussein would give up his secrets if left in a room with me if I didn't get enough sleep, missed a meal and my feet hurt. Probably not too far from true.
Yep nothing feels better then a good pair of Red Wings and orthonics.
Which reminds me I need a new pair. Is there anyadvantage of getting a pair from a podiatrist or one of those stores that specialize in them. Just curious cuz I got mine from a podiatrist but here there are some new stores popping up which specialize in orthotics....
Darkworksite4:
Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN
Back in the '90s I acquired a heel spur (?) from a bad blister which made most of the boots in my collection unwearable. Sneakers soon develop a hole worn through the padding. This was more comfortable than the boots wearing a hole in me. The exception is my Redwings and a pair of steel-toe, crepe soled Wolverines.
I will wear the Wolvernines on the plates, but prefer a better feel from the sneakers. It's like climbing - with the same rewards, such as falling.
Bear, I know what you mean about a small problem ignored getting much worse, as far as the feet go.
About 3 or 4 years ago, got a small wart on back of my heel. No insurance, tried the OTC wart pads - no good. Slowly got bigger and bigger. Finally the doc at the VA looked at it - did the liq. nitrogen treatment a few times, never really solved it and I was always "TOO BUSY" to get back for more.
Ann. physical time last March, the VA doc refers me to dermatology - more nitrogen, then prescription strength wart pads - they started killing it but the resulting dead skin "expanded". It stood proud of my heel by about 1/4". They kept paring it down (debriding was their word). He had me applying cream for skin cancers, then cream for gen. (VD) warts. (Always had to tell the cute pharmacy girl it was for MY FOOT!) Still kept coming back - talk about PAIN! Left a big divot in the back of my boot. Darn thing was as big as a 50 cent piece!
Finally, (in Dec) derm sends me across the hall to podiatrist. He takes one look and sez he knows what to do. Chemotherapy drugs injected locally to kill/choke off the wart. Third set of injections today. WHEW - ever had shots in the back of your heel?. It's working, though, the thing is not as raised as it was and it is definitely dying.
Oh, the whole point of the post was to tell you how the podiatrist helped me get comfortable in my boots - he gave me several chunks of really thick felt to build a cradle inside the heel of my boot so the wart wouldn't rub. Also gave me several sheets of peel and stick 3M foam to apply over the bandage - cut into a large square with a square cut out of the middle (could they be called concentric squares?)
DocA shortcut is the longest distance between two points.
Doc,
Oh, the whole point of the post was to tell you how the podiatrist helped me get comfortable in my boots - he gave me several chunks of really thick felt to build a cradle inside the heel of my boot so the wart wouldn't rub. Also gave me several sheets of peel and stick 3M foam to apply over the bandage - cut into a large square with a square cut out of the middle (could they be called concentric squares?)
That should work. Bunion pad or blister pad. I'll look for some felt.
@@@
BTW - as someone pointed out, if the shortcut were any good, it would be the route. (Donner, party of 50, are you listening.)
One quick question : Are you standing in one spot for a while?/ if so try putting a mat down on the floor (bar mats are good try a restaraunt supply store) it might not be your shoes.... just a thought.... hardwood floors sometimes can bother your back then your feet
Good Luck
Good idea, that. At times I am in one spot. I found where the anti-fatigue mats had been stored and got one out. But often I am walking on hard surfaces.
TB
Brooks shoes have great support and are comfortable. $ 100 well spent. Replace them at least yearly. See a podiatrist for custom orthotics.
I see from another thread that you are wearing Wolverines. They are loing lasting and moderately comfortable, but not for all day. My Wolverines feel like boards strapped on after a full day in them. That is with their inserts.
My most comforable are Masons upland sporting boots via mail order. The cushioning runs deep in them.
The other thing is to get younger. As my feet age, the cartilage is wearing out just like in the spine. Drink plenty of water and take glucosamine chondritin for cartilage rebuild.
Excellence is its own reward!