A personal question from a very footsore teacher

[darkstar3]

As I type this message, I'm sitting with my feet propped up hoping that it will help relax some muscles. It never seems to work, but I keep trying...

I teach technical skills to adults on a daily basis. The dress code is business professional, meaning I must wear dress shoes, and in a 9 hour average day, I spend about 8-8.5 hours on my feet. Each of my coworkers is in the same situation, but none of them seem to have my problem, which is extreme foot pain even after I've had a couple of days off. Every time I try to walk barefoot in my own house it feels like I'm crushing my heels and my arches. Shoes, especially my New Balance tennis shoes help some, but in the end no matter how funny I walk or what support I try my feet still hurt.

Now I don't want to offend any doctors who might post on this board, but over the last 3 years I've lost my trust in doctors. I am still willing to go and see an orthopedist about this (if I can find a good one), but I was hoping that I might try some other, less prescription remedies first.

Can any teachers or other people who spend most of their day standing still offer some advice? Insoles, shoe brands, sizes, arch support, massage products, whatever. No idea is a bad idea, even if it means I have to spend a chunk of money to get something good. I've looked at a place that's called "The Good Feet Store" (or maybe it was just "The Feet Store"), and I found some stuff I might try, but given the prices of some of the items I see out there, I'd like some recommendations first.

And now back to your regularly scheduled Lounge randomness, already in progress. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I've bought good shoes at The Walking Store...

Was that the store you meant? And I would sure as hell explain your dilemma to your boss, or whoever...

It sure sounds like your shoes are not suitable for the job you're doing.

I wish you, and your feet, luck!

And a belated welcome to DU!

:hi:

[chknltl]

2. Maybe ask a waitress or waiter in a nice restaurant..

Depending on the restaurant some insist that their waitstaff wear dressier shoes. They do a lot more walking than standing but perhaps you may find some good advice there.

[Monk06]

3. You need proper orthotics. You have similar complaints to runners

who suffer from excessive heal and metatarsal compression
go to a runners shop and they can help you shop for orthotics
without the huge expense of a podiatrist

[darkstar3]

4. I thought you had to go to a podiatrist for "proper orthotics"

I'm glad to hear I can get them elsewhere. Know any good "runner's shop" names?

[Monk06]

6. In ski and runner shops the staff are very knowledgable about orthpaedics

Especially specialist shops that sell to semi pro
athletes.

Even your Podiatrist farms out his orthotics to a
technician. Usually some guy who tunes skis among
other things.

[darkstar3]

9. Sounds like I have a new type of store to search for in the area.

Thanks for the tips!

[Monk06]

5. Or you could buy Dr Scholl's gel insoles that acutally work very well

[darkstar3]

7. You know, I've actually tried two different versions of those,

and I don't know if I stand funny compared to other people, or if I have arch oddities, or what, but those things just don't do very much for me. I'm going to have to find something with a bit more umph to it, whatever that means.

Thanks though! I really do appreciate the input. :hi:

[Monk06]

8. My SO uses Dr Scholl's insoles on top of her orthotics it has worked pretty good for her

Short foot, large foot box and hyper extended arch.

That's a hard combination of foot anomalies

[AmyDeLune]

10. Superfeet insoles!

I'm a cashier, on my feet for 8 to 10 hours a day, these things have been working great for me.:)
http://www.superfeet.com/

[CC]

18. I second Superfeet insoles.

Also try some simple exercises instead of putting your feet up. Some here http://www.plantarfasciitisbraces.com/plantar_fasciitis_stretching_exercises.html

Also try writing the alphabet (capital letters) in a 6 inch box in the air with you toes. This one has help me a lot with recovery from a Lisfranc fracture and broken metatarsals.

[zanne]

21. Are you punking us with that last paragraph? nt

[CC]

23. Unfortunately not. (cringe photo warning)

Getting my foot check a week after getting surgery. Two pins and one screw holding it together, tendon, muscle and nerves moved back and stitched in place. Broke the heel on the other foot, much easier to deal with. Happened one year ago on the 4th.




Still getting rehab for the lisfranc. Was told a year or two to know how much permanent damage.

[zanne]

29. OUCH! I can almost feel that!

I hope you feel better soon.

[moriah]

31. That's what they reccomend in PT for sprained ankles, too....

It does help.

[noamnety]

27. I was going to ask if it was plantar fasciitis

Sounds a lot like what I was going through for a while. A trademark symptom is that it's at it's absolute worst in the morning when you first get out of bed. More info here with a handy diagram of where and when it hurts: http://www.kurufootwear.com/plantarfasciitis

Lots of good suggestions in this thread. The Rx line of crocs was the thing that saved me (and they don't have the trademark holes all over the top of the shoe, just some side vents). I also wear the dansko clogs someone else mentioned when I want to dress up. They're fine for the plantar fasciitis, but stiffer on top so sometimes my bunion area gets a little achy by the end of the day if I wear the danskos.

[sarge43]

11. I recommend Shoes for Crews

Well made, excellent support, designed for people who spend all day on their feet. I have three pair and I don't leave home without them.

http://www.shoesforcrews.com

[Maine-ah]

12. those are the shoes that I use for work and love them!

I'm a bartender

[sarge43]

13. They are a near perfect work shoe

That non-skid feature must come in handy behind a bar.

I also like the selection, everything from pseudo crocs to combat boots.

[Maine-ah]

15. where I work, we are actually required to have them

we order through our company, and get a nice discount on them.

[sarge43]

17. Wise policy ... for a change. n/t

[AwakeAtLast]

14. Somebody posted a link for these

http://strabell-llc.amazonwebstore.com/Powerstep-Pinnacle-Insole/M/B000RZL90I.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

BerthaV maybe? I want to give credit where it is due!

I haven't tried them, but they look like they would be fantastic. I am a teacher, too, but I am able to wear Crocs. They have saved my feet. I will be trying these insoles out at some point, though.

I'm checking out the other links in this thread, too. Thanks!

:hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

16. I also recommend a podiatrist or a shoe store that has an orthotic specialist

on staff. You may have bone spurs, for example. The right orthotic can really help there. I would start with podiatrist before seeing an orthopedic specialist, as the podiatrist is specifically focused on just the feet and all their many tiny bones.

[JNelson6563]

19. My arches were killing me a while back

There was a problem starting, I too am on my feet all day. I wore naturalizers that had some arch support and then I put a toe-warmer on the arch of each foot. Felt good, almost like a massage with each step and it must've been what I needed to relax those muscles because that problem went away after a couple days of "treatment". I also took ibuprofen.

I couldn't afford medical attention so I knew I had to come up with a solution on my onw. Fortunately my problem was not too far along for me to fix it. Good luck and quick relief to you friend. I know how hellish and un relenting such pain can be.

Julie

[Schema Thing]

20. Find a grass field. Run barefoot in it.

carefully at first, of course.

You'll soon see progress, probably even after your first effort.


If you're skeptical, read the book "Born to Run".

[wickerwoman]

22. I wore Dansko shoes when I was teaching...

they're clogs but super-comfy with good arch-support and the black ones are dressy enough for teaching.

http://www.dansko.com/

Also, if you're standing behind a lectern or a desk, can you rest one of your knees on the chair for a while? That's what I used to do with no one the wiser.

[darkstar3]

25. No lectern, no desk.

The PTB like us active, engaging with the class and never allowing anyone to even think that we're reading from a book or just going through rote motions.

Not that I'm saying you were reading from a book or going through motions, my bosses are just weird that way. I think it has something to do with the fact that we charge an extravagant amount of money (IMO) for our classes...

I'm gonna go check out your shoe site now. Thanks! :hi:

[Robeson]

24. MBT shoes. Your feet will thank you...

...just google them. You can get last years models for 25 to 50 percent off at various sites.

[darkstar3]

26. I'm almost afraid of those...

They look GREAT for doing a lot of walking, but I do so much standing that I'd spend most of my day rocking back and forth. I've gotten in trouble for rocking or pacing before. Tech trainers get called out for lots of piddly things when we get critiqued by our peers, but we have to go through those critiques for continued certification.

[marzipanni]

28. When I was an LVN a long time ago the older nurses suggested

standing in the tub when you get home from work. Close the drain, run very warm water around your feet and stand in it for a minute, then drain that water. Close the drain and run cold water on and around your feet. Repeat the warm-then-cold quick foot baths once or twice more.

You know how cats and dogs spread their feet out when they stretch? When I've been wearing flip-flops or shoes my toes clutch I flex my feet up and spread my toes -it really helps relax my feet and calves.

Definitely get some padding under your heel and support for your arches built into shoes, or added.
Good luck!

[justabob]

30. aching feet

I have no good advice as far as shoes go, but soaking your feet in hot water and epsom salts will help with pain management, and it is super cheap. I have been a waitress for years and epsom salts are the only thing I have ever found to help.