Why Do My Feet Hurt After Standing All Day?

Very few jobs allow workers to strike a healthy balance between sitting and standing. Doing one or the other the majority of the day comes with consequences for the feet, but there isn’t much you can do if your job requires you to stand for long periods.

Research has shown that civilian workers spend close to 60% of their workdays on their feet. Specifically, nurse practitioners are required to stand for about 60% of their work hours, and carpenters are required to sit for just 6% of their work hours.

Other professionals who spend hours on their feet at a time include school teachers, nurses, construction workers, and factory workers. Many food service workers spend most of their time standing as well. If you’re a part of the long-standing workforce, it’s important to take care of your feet during and between shifts.

Why do your feet hurt so badly, and what can you do about it? We have some advice that might help.

Why Do Feet Hurt After Standing All Day?

Standing for long periods of time is unhealthy for the feet because it allows blood to pool in the feet. The calves are referred to as the “second heart” because they have the important job of pumping blood from the lower extremities back up to the heart. When the calf muscles don’t contract enough to do that job efficiently, blood is left in the feet for long periods.

That collection of blood in the feet, ankles, and calves can lead to swelling and pressure on nearby tissues and joints. The results are aches, pains, stiffness, and unnecessary stress.

The friction that builds up between your feet and your socks or shoes can also lead to corns, calluses, and other foot problems. If you don’t wear footwear with proper ventilation, then moisture could build up around your feet and cause even more problems. Those issues can enhance foot pain after standing all day.

You may also experience foot pain if you don’t wear supportive footwear. You need arch and heel support as well as a proper shoe fit to avoid unnecessary aches, pains, and more serious foot problems.

How to Minimize Foot Pain When Standing All Day

If you’re forced to stand for long periods, there are some things you can do to minimize the pain when your shift is over:

Work with a professional to select shoes that maximize support and fit your feet properly. You can even use orthotics if you have selected shoes that are required by your employer. Orthotics go inside your shoe, so no one has to know they’re there.
Squeeze your calf muscles as often as possible. You want to keep them working to pump at least some of that blood back up to your heart throughout your shift.
Take every opportunity you have to sit down, even if it’s for a short period. Small breaks from standing are better than none.
Practice proper posture. The more you hold your body in proper alignment, the less strain you will exert down to your feet.
Wear compression stockings or socks to keep the blood flowing throughout your shift.

How to Relieve Foot Pain After Standing All Day

If you’re taking great care of your feet at work and are still experiencing foot pain from standing all day, there are some things you can do at home to help. Give yourself permission to pamper your feet because you depend on them to support you through many more long days on the job.

Soak your feet in warm water. Add some Epsom salt and maybe essential oils to help your feet recover and enjoy relaxing aromatherapy.
Get a foot massage. You can hire a professional or exchange services with someone you trust at home.
Wear different shoes when away from work. Just switching up the footwear can help tremendously.
Give your feet time to rest. You don’t want to stay on your feet at home if you know another long shift is coming up.
Stretch your feet gently. Elevating your legs can help as well.