If you work in the medical field, chances are you’re on your feet for extended periods of time. If you don’t invest in proper shoes and care for your feet you could soon suffer, making those long shifts even more painful.

Practicing good foot habits and giving your feet a little more love and nurturing, could see you avoiding unnecessary pain and discomfort.

Here’s where to start:

1. Shoes

First of all, let’s start with footwear.

Four things your need to look for when choosing your work shoes are:

- Support

Shoes designed specifically for this industry should hold your foot in place, contouring to your natural arch for support. Benefiting your feet and your overall posture.

- Protection

Having adequate protection from things being dropped on your feet, whether that be instruments or fluids is a must. Some nursing shoes such as clogs feature a protective leather toe, that makes them easy to clean, whilst protecting your toes from sharp or heavy objects.

- Grip

Durable and solid tread for comfort and longevity. So, you can have sufficient traction on wet or slippery floors, as well as being able get more wear then a normal athletic shoe.

- Design

Shoes that are designed specifically for the role. Your activity during shift is different to your normal work out, therefore your shoe needs to fit the purpose. Having a bit of extra room in the toe section is a good thing to look for, as nurses and doctors feet tend to stretch and swell over the day.

2. Tender, Love and Care

- Add compression socks to your daily uniform! Compression socks are recommended for patients, but the same logic can be applied to nurses on shift.

Helping to increase the circulation of blood flow and oxygen, removing built up lactic acid in your hard-working muscles. They will also help to reduce swelling.

- Treat your work like a sport and stretch your feet and legs before and after work. You are working your muscles for long periods of time during your shift and they deserve to be prepped and cared for just like athletes.

- Finish off your TLC with an after-work foot soak, or treatment whenever you can, soaking your feet in a hot foot bath to ease any aches and pains.

- There’s no need to spend lots of money on expensive treatments if you don’t want to or don’t have the time, instead try out these DIY foot soaks at home.

Use these tips to make a habit of looking after your tarsals, metatarsals, and phalanges and you could find yourself with an extra spring in your step.

Your feet are something you use every day, why not give them the love they deserve!