Oh, my aching feet!!!!

I have found that inserts for plantar fasciitis help.

It sounds like your shoes have too high of a heel. I wore running type shoes in nursing school, feet hurt after 8 hours. Traditional running shoes have a thick heel to cushion the heel when running. So, when walking/standing, that translates to your body weight being held more over your heels for most of the day.

I have low arches in my feet as well. For me, it worked best to get a pair of low-drop sneakers. I'm on my third pair of Saucony Kineta Relay shoes, because they have a good arch, and it doesn't look it, but the heel is very low. So it puts me standing more on my arches than my heels, if that makes sense. Skechers used to make a very similar shoe too, but it's been awhile since I bought a pair, so I don't know if they still do. In any case, it pretty much solved my foot pain, worst I get now is a little soreness at the end of a really tough shift, and it's gone by the next day.

Sounds like you may have plantar fasciitis, I am not a doctor though so you may want to make an appointment. They may be able to do some things to give you some relief if that is what is wrong.

Good luck!

Annie

My daughter had similar problems and sought out high quality custom orthotics. Saved her career. She can put them in ANY shoes (except flip-flops) and they have made a huge difference. She got them from a place called the Good Feet Store- I believe they are a chain.

I've had the same issue, especially when working my shifts back to back. As soon as possible after getting home I fill a container with hot water and add some Epsom salt (and a little lavender oil). I soak my feet for about 15 minutes. After the foot soak I elevate my feet while reading and relaxing before bed. I also try to elevate my feet at work when I'm on break. This has helped me a ton!

The way I survive my plantar fasciitis is a foot roller. Do an amazon search for "foot roller" and you will see the contraption that I use and the end of my shift. 15 minutes per foot does the trick. I was experiencing the same symptoms as you, and once I started doing this intervention, I have not had any problems since!

Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you! PF pain is no joke!

I can totally relate and as a matter of fact, I also wear HOKA, and they seem to work ok for me. However, yesterday was an odd exception. I was in terrible pain in my feet and lower legs as well. One thing I have found, and it may seem crazy to some, is that sneakers wear out for me after about 18 months of wear. I stick to one pair of them and don't swap up. My HOKAs have done a good job of helping with the ache so I don't necessarily feel the need to wear several different pair. Another important thing that Ashley_SF pointed out is soaking them. When I got home, the first thing I did last night was take a hot bath. When I got out, my foot pain was literally gone. Now when you're at work and you start aching at the 8 hr mark that's not pssible to do and you still got 4+ hours of misery left. One thing I would like to recommend, and some may deem laughable SIT WHEN YOU CAN. Don't chart standing!! Even it it's 3 mins off your feet REST THEM.

I second "SIT WHEN YOU CAN." Sometimes it's tough, but I have also found this to help.

If you don't want to invest in a fancy foot roller yet, try freezing a bottle of water and rolling it over each foot like the person above describes. The cold from the bottle might also help to give you some relief.

Another idea for a foot roller is a tennis ball. Works great for me. A purchased a Dollar Store 3 pack - which I share with my cats:)

Many good specialty running stores will have equipment to measure your foot pattern and gait, and can help point you to a few shoes that will match with your feet. New Balance stores offer this service. If that doesn't work, ask your PCP for a referral to someone who can custom build you some orthotics.

Setting yourself up for 20 more years of pain free productivity will require an investment of time and money in the present.

I have Achilles tendonitis. I'm also >260lbs. I've found that foam-soled lightweight running shoes work best for me, but I buy three pair that I rotate each shift, and replace approximately every 6-8 months.

I also do some light stretching during my shifts, and work on general mobility exercises on my days off. I've found that if my lower-back-to-feet muscle chain is flexible, my Achilles tendons are less sore as well.