A recent survey of 1,000 people took a closer look at which industries had the highest rates of employees who regularly dealt with foot pain. And while the study was relatively small, it found that foot pain is a major problem across many different industries, as 44% of respondents said the were currently battling foot pain. But which industries does foot pain affect the most, and how are people coping with the discomfort? We take a closer look at how foot pain is affecting workers in different industries in today’s blog.
Which Employees Deal With Foot Pain The Most?
Employees working in these five industries were most likely to say that job-related foot discomfort was a problem:
1. Information Technology – You probably wouldn’t guess that the IT industry would rank #1 on this list, but that’s what the survey found. It’s clear that prolonged sitting and a sedentary lifestyle can cause problems for our feet, whether because they have to handle more stress when moving because of weight gain and obesity, or because of circulatory issues tied to chronic sitting.
2. Healthcare – Nurses and doctors are usually on their feet for the the majority of their shift, which can be 10, 12 or 14 hours at a time. They may also be moving, bending, squatting and lifting patients, all of which puts more strain on their feet.
3. Retail Workers – Retail workers are also on their feet for the majority of their shift, and typically they are working on hard, unforgiving surfaces that offer little stress relief for their feet.
4. Construction – Manual laborers finally crack the list at #4. Construction workers may be on their feet for long periods, and they too are lifting, bending and carrying equipment that puts additional strain on their feet. They are also at a greater risk for acute injuries, despite the fact that they wear special work boots to protect against crush injuries or puncture wounds.
5. Assembly Line Workers – Rounding out the top five are assembly line workers, who oftentimes have to stand for hours on hard, concrete floors. Performing repetitive motions on unforgiving floors can overload your feet and lead to overstress injuries.
While this is just a small study that only polled 1,000 individuals, it does help to shine a light on the idea that foot pain is not just a problem for those working manual labor positions. Healthcare, retail and office workers also face unique challenges, and because they may not assume that their job is very taxing on the body, they may not work to overcome these challenges when they are off the clock.
When it comes to preventing and treating foot pain on the job, control what you can control. Invest in a comfortable and supportive pair of shoes, add in some custom orthotics for extra support if needed, and work to exercise and eat a healthy diet to provide the right environment for your feet and your body to thrive.
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