Take a Stand for your Feet and Get Relief
As a nurse, you know this scenario all too well. You’re listening to a patient talk about the pain they’re in. Meanwhile, you yourself are in excruciating pain from being on your feet hour after hour—aching, throbbing, and basically driving yourself mad.
Give your feet relief with a few simple stretches, exercises, and tips.
First, give your feet a fighting chance from the get-go. While on shift, try not to stand in a fixed position for long periods of time. Move around. Bend your knees. Rotate your ankles from time to time. Always distribute your weight equally between both feet.
Treat your tootsies to a well-deserved foot massage. As blissful as it is to have a professional foot massage, it’s not always possible, especially as a nurse consistently working long hours and overtime. But you can be your own masseuse. Here’s a short video to get you started. Consider also using a tennis ball or foot roller. There’s something especially relaxing and self-loving about taking care of your feet in this manner.
Try some familiar stretches. If you’ve ever taken an exercise class, you’ve probably learned several stretches, many of them excellent for the feet, specifically your tired out nursing feet:
- Sit on a chair, cross one leg over the opposite knee, then grasp the toes and pull toward the ankle until you feel a stretch in the sole of your foot. At the same time, massage the sole of your foot under the arch.
- For your ankles, lying on your back with your legs straight out. Alternate flexing and pointing your feet; then rotate your ankles clockwise and counterclockwise. Or try “writing” the alphabet with your big toe: trace each letter in the air by rotating your ankle as if you were holding a pencil.
- Calf stretches, that must-do exercise for runners, will relieve tightness and discomfort in your lower legs. Just press your palms against a wall, then lean forward on one knee with the opposite leg straight behind you. Lean closer to the wall until you feel a gentle stretch in the calf muscle of the opposite leg.
Last but not least, give your tired feet (or whole body!) a soothing Epsom salt bath. It may be an old grannie’s tale, but Epsom salt is a centuries-old remedy for aching joints and muscles. Worth a try!
Steps in the right direction: The right shoes for the job!
Don’t scrimp on work shoes. Proper foot care for nurses can only take you so far with subpar shoes! It pays to invest in high-quality shoes that fit well and can go the extra mile, or ten. Your feet will feel loved and supported for hours on end.
For all those long shifts, we’ve listed our five most comfortable shoes for nurses. You can now focus less on your feet, and more on your patients.
1. Dansko Professional Clogs
Have you ever considered clogs? Though these shoes are a staple in the world of healthcare, their popularity has spread among customers everywhere. They’re durable, comfortable, and provide all-day support. Due to their high demand, these clogs come in many different colors and patterns. Now you’re stylin’.
Available in men and women’s sizes at Dansko for $85 – 190
2. Nike Flex Experience Run 12
Nike is no stranger to making excellent footwear options that boast comfort, flexibility and cool styles—and this style stays true to that model! In addition to its great arch support, this shoe features a Phylon outsole that, combined with minimal rubber pods, provides traction on nearly any surface. That’s right, no slipping on the job! Plus, if you’re a fan of nylon colors, look no further—you’ve just found your new favorite shoe.
Available in men and women’s sizes for $75
3. Skechers Performance Go Walk Shoe
When Skechers created this special style of shoe, they actually had nurses in mind. The great arch support combined with the spacious interior allows nurses to stand for hours at a time without the typical amount of fatigue. But these shoes aren’t only raved about for promoting foot care for nurses—the design also encourages leg and back health as well. Between the variety of heel height and colors/patterns, you’ll feel as though you’re customizing your perfect shoe…because you are!
Available in men and women’s sizes at Skechers for $30 – $120
4. Nurse Mates Align™ Velocity
When the brand has the word “nurse” in their name, you know they’re committed to providing comfortable and functional footwear for healthcare professionals. This style was designed for comfort, but with more of a polished look compared to a traditional sneaker. They come with adjustable stretch laces (no more tying your shoe over and over) and are slip resistant for when you’re going non-stop at full speed.
Available in women’s sizes at Nurse Mates for $99.95. Additional men’s styles available for $39.94
Find smarter solutions that stand on their own two feet.
Proper foot care for nurses needs to be a priority when your job requires you to be on your feet all day. We know the health of your patients is always at the forefront of your mind—that’s what makes you so good at your job—but your own health matters as well. When you are healthy, and that includes being “foot healthy,” you can give more to your patients. So, whether you often find yourself walking or running on the job, we hope these shoes see you comfortably through the day.