Custom Orthotics in Powder Springs, GA
Whether you’re working in a school, a store, or are doing any job or task that leaves you standing for hours, taking care of your feet is very important. Why? When you spend all day standing, that puts tons of pressure on your feet. And it’s likely to leave you with heel pain. Especially if you need to stand on hard surfaces, or if you choose unsupportive footwear—high heels and narrow, tight shoes are some of the worst choices.
Now, even if you are wearing great shoes, standing for hours could still leave you with foot and heel pain at the end of a long day… Unless you take some preventative measures. To help keep you comfortable, this post will offer tips for preventing heel pain. But first, though, we’ll explain why standing still is actually one of the highest impact activities you can choose when it comes to your feet.
Standing and Heel Pain: What’s the Connection? ![Feet standing on hard surface]()
Standing still doesn’t feel like a workout. But, for your feet, it’s a big one. You see, when you run or walk, different muscles take turns firing and relaxing. But when you stand still, the muscles in your feet and legs remain engaged the whole time. And they do so while carrying the full load of your body weight. Facing this kind of pressure can cause your arches to collapse. In turn, that causes strain on your plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot. Finally, if you don’t take action to relieve this pressure, you’ll develop the inflammation of plantar fasciitis, and face chronic heel pain.
Preventing Heel Pain From All-Day Standing
As you’ve seen, standing puts lots of pressure on your heels and arches. But there are ways you can prevent heel pain from setting in.
One of the best things you can do is take frequent sitting breaks. Even if you can only squeeze in a five minutes break, that could be enough to protect your arches, and prevent heel pain! If possible, elevate your feet during breaks, or at least at the end of the day, to prevent painful swelling. Finally, think about soaking your feet with warm water and Epsom salts at least once a week, to give them some extra TLC.
When you must stand, try to move as much as possible, shifting your weight or pacing. Even if you can’t walk far, the act of moving your feet will help relax tight muscles and spread your body weight more evenly across your feet. Many people who stand all day can also reduce their heel pain risk by standing on a carpet or a anti-fatigue mat.
Finally, making smart shoe choices will also help prevent heel pain. The best option will be supportive sneakers or athletic shoes—as long as they fit your feet properly, giving you enough room to wiggle your toes. Still, for some people, these preventative measures aren’t enough to protect your delicate feet and heels. So, in those cases, we may suggest getting fitted for custom orthotics!
Lasting Heel Pain Relief with Custom Orthotics
If you must stand all day, you will likely need more than supportive sneakers to prevent heel pain. And that’s why getting fitted for custom orthotics is so important: these specialized insoles offer the support you need to protect your heels from the pressure of standing.
Why are custom orthotics such an effective solution for heel pain? In our office, we craft orthotics to fit your specific foot shape. As such, these medical devices give support to your feet exactly where you need it, protecting them from pressure in the exact spots that took the hardest hits. In turn, you’ll get rid of heel pain and can feel confident it won’t return. Even if your job keeps you on your feet for most of the day.
Even better? Orthotics can do more than just relieve foot pain. Many athletes say they improve running efficiency—and athletic performance. So, when you rock your orthotics during workouts, you may find you can train harder and farther, without facing exhaustion.
Choosing the Right Orthotics for Your Feet: a Quick Guide
Did you know that there are many different types of orthotics? Well, it’s true—and we’re here to make sure that you choose the right one!
You see, when we fit you for orthotics, we can make them in different lengths, or construct them from several different materials. That way, they’ll target your specific needs, whether that’s reducing the impact of standing on your feet or helping prevent foot pain when you run. We can even help your diabetic ulcer heal faster if we offload your feet with a special orthotic device. And, in many cases, we can craft a supportive device that meets several different needs, all with one versatile pair.
Not sure which of these features you should look to include in your custom orthotics? Don’t worry: that’s our job. You see, we think of custom orthotics as a form of prescription medicine. So, when you come to see Dr. Alvin Cowans, your Powder Springs and Lost Mountain, GA podiatrist, he’ll conduct a thorough examination in the office.
During that visit, he’ll review the causes of your heel pain. He’ll talk about the way you live, and will also examine the shape of your feet, and look at the way you walk—that’s called your gait—to determine the unique stresses facing your feet and heels. Then, and only then, he will give you the right orthotics prescription to meet your needs. After that, you simply have to wear them regularly, and your feet should feel great, every single day.
Treating Heel Pain in Powder Springs, GA
Ready to face a long day on your feet without debilitating heel pain? Schedule an immediate appointment at our office, and be sure to request a consultation for orthotics. At that visit, Dr. Cowans will give you the tools you need to spend all day standing, without that awful heel pain!
