Before you know it, the kids will be back to school, and the teachers will return to worrying about sore feet from standing all day. Now, spending the whole day on your feet does increase your risk for tired, achy feet, along with concerns such as Achilles tendon pain and plantar fasciitis. However, with proper care—and a little guidance from Dr. Mark Gasparini and Dr. Novneet Chhabra, our podiatrists in Massapequa—you can keep your feet happy and healthy, from now until the last bell of the school year. Here’s what you need to do.
What Causes Teachers’ Sore Feet from Standing all Day
When you’re a teacher, you spend hours on your feet each day, whether you’re pacing the playgrounds, navigating the school hallways, or simply giving a lecture in front of your classroom. But, with the proper precautions, all those hours putting pressure on your feet don’t have to end with sore or swollen feet. So, how can you keep your feet comfy?
To begin with, be very selective about your foot wear. If your dress code allows it, you should choose supportive sneakers or athletic shoes, equipped with lots of heel and arch support, and plenty of cushioning. But even if you need to wear more formal shoe styles, you can make choices to minimize the impact on your feet. Avoid pointy-toed shoes in favor of pairs with lots of wiggle room, to reduce the risk of pain in the short term. (And bunions, over time.) You should also look for shoes with plenty of grip and treads in their soles, since school hallways can get pretty slippery, leaving you at risk for falls and injuries if your feet aren’t properly protected. Finally, never wear closed-toed shoes without socks, since this will increase your risk for rubbing and sweating. In turn, you’re more likely to end up with foot pain, blisters or even fungal infections such as athlete’s foot.
Even when you wear socks with your shoes, be sure to choose the right ones. Don’t go too thick and bulky, or you’ll once again have to worry about rubbing and blisters. And look for socks made from sweat-wicking materials so that, if your feet do sweat, the moisture won’t remain on your skin while you’re spending the day with your students.
Replace Shoes Regularly, And Look for Additional Support ![teacher in front of a classroom]()
If you want to avoid sore feet from standing all day, it’s not enough to buy an appropriate pair of shoes. You also need to know when those shoes will need replacing. But how can you do that? If there are any visible signs of break down, such as holes in your shoes, you’ll obviously know it’s time to look for a new pair. However, you also need to look for less obvious warning signs, such as shallow or unevenly worn treads on the shoe soles, or even creases in the shoe’s midsoles. Both are signs that your shoes will no longer provide the cushioning, grip and support your feet need to stand up to the pressures of teaching. As such, you’ll need to invest in new footwear or risk paying the price in foot pain.
Of course, in some cases, even the most supportive pair of shoes will not be enough to prevent sore feet from standing all day. Sometimes, the very shape of your foot—whether you have flat feet or high arches—will keep your feet from feeling their best in any pair of shoes. But don’t despair. Many teachers can still find pain relief by adding a pair of medical grade insoles (MGIs) to their school shoes. The additional support they provide is often enough to prevent foot fatigue, pain and swelling. Or, if you need a more customized approach, our Massapequa podiatrists can fit you for a pair of custom orthotics. These medical devices are crafted to provide support exactly where your foot needs it most, allowing them to correct any biomechanical imbalances that may be contributing to your foot pain.
At the End of the Day: Moves that Counteract Sore Feet from Standing All Day
Now we’ve got you wearing the right shoes, knowing when to get a new pair, and understanding that sometimes you’ll need the added support of MGIs or orthotics. But just like your lesson planning, your work is sadly still not done. You may wish to purchase an anti-fatigue mat for use when you’re standing in one place for extended periods of time. Basically, it’s a rubber mat with plenty of cushioning. Easily portable, when you stand on this device instead of the hard floor, you reduce some of the impact of all day standing on your feet.
Now, that’s a move to make in the classroom. But when you get home at the end of the day, a little self-care will also go a long way towards protecting your feet. Immediately, take a seat (or lie down) and prop up your feet. This move will allow any built-up fluid to drain from your feet, helping relieve mild swelling that may develop throughout the day. Next, give those tired feet a soak in warm water, adding a little Epsom salt if you want some bonus pampering. After about 15 minutes, remove your feet from the water and dry them carefully, paying careful attention to spots between your toes. Then, grab some moisturizer and give your feet a gentle massage, soothing your foot skin and muscles in one easy move.
In combination, these tips for shoe shopping and self-care should help teachers prevent sore feet from standing all day. But if you spent the summer ignoring existing foot pain, you’ll need to address the problem now if you want to feel great once school is back in session. So, what’s the move to make? Call our Nassau County podiatry practice at 516-804-9038 or follow this link to request a consultation. When you come into the office, we’ll get to the bottom of what’s causing your current discomfort, making sure you start off the school year on the right foot.