Acheing Feet, a solution sought.

I work in catering, if I am lucky I can sit down for a break at lunch. We serve a warehouse which has 33 vending machines it covers over a mile. We also serve lucnh to around 400 each day.

Basically I am on my feet for most of it, at the end of the day I am knackered. Sometimes I work 8 hours (rarely) sometime I work 12-13 hours.

I am sure that 30 years ago, forums were not available and men had to take work like men, pull yourself together!

My feet ache, jesus!

Get yourself some good shoes with padded soles and supportive uppers. Add to that a pair of Orthotics (which are good for more than the flat-footed among us), and you'll be set.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

1. Good shoes.
2. Foot massages from your significant other.

try a pair of sorbothane insoles.

Get some of those weird sandals with the knobbly insoles. They hurt a bit at first and your colleagues will look at you strangely. But, they are fantastic.
Peter

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I should have mentioned that the environment is a clean room and footwear is dictated by the company. But the insoles sound intrigueing and what are Orthotics Mike?, never heard of them before. One other thing I should mention is that I'm standing around tending 3 to 4 machines and therefore not walking about much, which is a pity as when I'm on the move the pain isn't as severe. It's the standing about in the same place for ages that's really a pain in the ar...foot. Thanks again.

Yours in Music

Syd

I had a job like that once. My solution was to walk constantly, but to make the steps very, very small, or to stand still but work my toes.

You do get used to it after a while, but I'd support the recommendation of orthotics (= insoles).

Hey this is my territory!!!!

I am a Podiatrist working for the NHS here in deepest darkest suffolk.

May is suggest that before you buy Sorbothane insoles you consider what sorbothane is and does.

It is superb at shock absorption ( that is why it is used in HiFi) but is lousy as an orthotic. Even if shaped. It provides no functional control of the foot during the gait cycle.

If your symptoms are caused by simple mechanical trauma eg shock during heel strike then Sorbothane is the way to go.

However if this is not the case then may i suggest that you find a State Registered Chiropodist/Podiatrist who specialises in Bio Mechanics and have a Bio Mech assessment to see if there is any abnormality in your gait cycle.

If there is then an orthotic is indicated.

If you go to BOOTS they sell the Vasyli Orthoheel which are OK but are not really man enough for the job. Insufficient functional control to prevent the recurrent minor trauma that you are experiencing at work.

So a casted orthotic may be the way to go.

Cost is significant though for the Bio Mech assessment and the taking of the cast and provision of the orthotic to prescription.

Very similar to prescription lenses from an optician in fact.

Would be very interested to know how this pans out.

regards David

You might care to have a look at this site: http://www.foot.com/

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......