Standing on my feet....HORRIBLE BACK PROBLEMS! Need shoe help!

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I'm a 19 year old nursing student, but while i'm in school, I am working full time in a local gas station. I have to stand on my back for 8-10 hours a day. I was diagonised with a genetic back problem when i was younger, and was pretty much told I had to deal with it. The problem i'm running into is my back is killin me after about 5 hours. I'm going to get a new pair of shoes, and figured I'd ask for everyone's opinion on their favorite comfy shoes. Keep in mind...I'm not in school yet, I just want a good "fun" shoe to wear. Ex. ..Nike, Adidas, New Balance...

I've seen fellow nurses wear them in hosptials, and figured someone has to have a good experience with a shoe.

p.s.... I'm going to a specialist to hopefully get this back problem under control...If i can't handle 9 hours...how can i do 12 or 13?

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Get yourself a good pair of WALKING shoes. I wear Avis.

Also, if you can, try to lie down somewhere to take the strain off your back.

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caseyrb:

I also have a congenital back problem that cannot be fixed. While I cannot stand for long periods, the combination of standing, walking, and sitting works for me during clinicals. My hope is that the short periods of charting will give my back some comfort. It has so far.

During my rotation, the surgery day was a killer. I stood for a 5-hour surgery and thought my back was dead. My other clinical days have been okay. I find that walking keeps the back moving. Sitting for long periods is as painful as standing. A combination of the three seems to work best. Think about if what I'm saying makes sense. I hope it works out for you!

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i have back problems to. i know when i need new shoes when my back starts to hurt. i have good luck with nike shoks. actually only took me 5 minutes to walk out with them and i usually take 3 hrs to find a good pair.

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Specializes in NICU.

Maybe try a pair of Crocs. They start at like $25, so easy on the wallet. Many nurses (myself included) wear them for long shifts.

http://www.crocs.com

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

Crocs are awesome for my feet, but I found they give little support for my chronic back problems. My father was kind enough to give me a christmas present early. A pair of J.Rubios $70 a pair. Last night was the first time I wore them. I wore them until 2am, My back didn't hurt at all during the time I wore them. I switched back to my crocs however about that time, due to my feet were swelling and making the shoes uncomfortable, but I'm sure once they are broke in, life will be good. This is coming from a 10/500mg 4 times a day of Lortab user (of course not at work!). I am going to go see a pain specialist on Dec 6th (or thereabouts - I have to reschedule - I work that night and the night before).

Anyway = comes down to J.Rubios for the back, great investment! Try them!!!

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Thanks for all the advice! Right now I wear nike shocks and I love them, so I think i'll probably just go for another pair. I think i've just wore mine down so much that they're not working anymore.

Went to the doctor today and got xrays, so the specialist is the next move..hopefully everything turns out ok!

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Personally I believe it differs from person to person on what type of shoe to wear. I have herniated disks in the cervical and lumbar spine and I love my crocs. I used to wear all kinds of different shoes when off from work, I love high heeled boots, etc. Since I have been having spinal problems all I wear are crocs, nikes and other athletic shoes don't do me a bit of good. Metro crocs are more comfy to me than the aspen crocs.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I haven't tried them but have read about them. They are called Z-coil. Do a google search and read about them, good luck :)

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I'm a 19 year old nursing student, but while i'm in school, I am working full time in a local gas station. I have to stand on my back for 8-10 hours a day. I was diagonised with a genetic back problem when i was younger, and was pretty much told I had to deal with it. The problem i'm running into is my back is killin me after about 5 hours. I'm going to get a new pair of shoes, and figured I'd ask for everyone's opinion on their favorite comfy shoes. Keep in mind...I'm not in school yet, I just want a good "fun" shoe to wear. Ex. ..Nike, Adidas, New Balance...

I've seen fellow nurses wear them in hosptials, and figured someone has to have a good experience with a shoe.

p.s.... I'm going to a specialist to hopefully get this back problem under control...If i can't handle 9 hours...how can i do 12 or 13?

Casey! I am totaly empathetic to your plight! May I suggest that rather than focusing on the shoes, you might try a back support and a consult with a chiropractic doctor? I think the lumbar support apparel might reduce the stress on both your back and BLE! Good luck!:rolleyes:

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I love my Merrell's. In the store, they are about $90, but I bought mine online for $60. My boyfriend hiked the Appalachian Trail in a pair & he even said his feet hardly hurt. My feet great even after a 12-hour shift!

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Specializes in Neurovascular, Ortho, Community Health.
I haven't tried them but have read about them. They are called Z-coil. Do a google search and read about them, good luck :)

I worked with a couple of nurses who swore by them, but they are a bit pricy.

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