Work while standing; many workers in Quebec, such as hairdressers, waitresses, cashiers, nurses and even construction and line workers have to spend long hours standing. Working many hours while standing can lead to feet, knee or back pain, a feeling of heavy legs with swelling, varicose veins and stiff joints.
A suitable work environment can help to minimize those problems such as anti-fatigue mats, ergonomic workstations or wood, cork or rubber floor surfaces. In addition to these solutions, there are also several types of orthopedic devices that workers can obtain to ensure his comfort at work. We can think of foot orthotics, compression stockings, adapted shoes and also in some cases, knee braces.
The best solution for you
When in doubt, do not hesitate to call upon the expertise of the CEO Médic team. An orthotist will be able to guide you towards the best product, according to your work situation and your needs.
Contact usFoot orthotics: take care of your feet
Wearing foot orthotics can go a long way in preventing pain in the feet, knees and even back pain. Flat or hollow feet can lead to lower extremity misalignment and that is why a good foot orthotics can help correct the situation and in some cases, relieve pain. Whether custom or prefabricated, foot orthotics evenly distribute body weight, stabilize and realign the lower limbs. They can also help in the treatment of pain for pathologies such as plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, hallux valgus as well as patellofemoral syndrome.
Available in a wide choice of models, foot orthotics will follow you throughout your workday and daily activities. Thanks to a wide variety of quality materials, today’s orthotics are thinner, more durable and fit perfectly. They can fit as much in a sports or evening shoe and even in a construction boot.
We encourage local! CEO Medic is proud to offer the custom-made plantar orthotics line from the Quebec company iBrace.
Shoes: safety, protection and comfort
It is no longer a secret that the results of foot orthotics will be better if they are worn in shoes suitable for work. The primary role of the shoe is to protect the feet, so it must be ideally stable, laced and not deform the foot. It should be wide enough to allow the toes to move and ideally should have a heel of 1 inch or so (2-2.5cm) to avoid pain and fatigue in the foot. *
Obviously, the shoe must be suitable for the workplace, such as the boot with a steel toe in the construction. It is important to try on the shoes well when purchasing to ensure maximum comfort, as they will be worn for several hours a day. In some cases, a custom shoe will be the best option for more comfort, but also to prevent other problems with the feet, ankles, knees and even back.
A good shoe, worn in conjunction with a foot orthotic, can greatly reduce foot pain and optimize the health of your legs.
* Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Compression stockings: for healthy legs
To help prevent or reduce leg swelling after long hours of standing, compression stockings (also called support stockings) will become your best friend. Compression stockings help better blood circulation in the legs by returning blood to the heart through gradual compression from the ankles up the leg.
Whether you are looking for a more modern or traditional look, compression stockings are now available in several styles (knee, thigh and pantyhose) with a wide variety of colors for both men and women.
If you suffer from chronic venous insufficiency (varicose veins), compression stockings are a must in the practice of your work. By wearing compression stockings, your legs will feel less heavy and swollen at the end of your shift.
No need to have a doctor’s prescription to buy compression stockings, the 15-20 mmHg models are available over the counter on the shelves of your CEO Medic store.
Knee braces: when the knee makes its own
Sometimes, despite wearing a foot orthotic and properly fitting shoes, knee pain can continue to interfere with your daily activities at work. The pain can be caused by osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, repetitive movements at work, or an old sports injury. For these cases, the knee brace can go a long way in reducing pain and allowing you to work in comfort.
When the knee alignment is not optimal, the pressure between the tibia and the femur increases, leading to premature wear of the meniscus and possibly the development of osteoarthritis of the knee. This degenerative joint disease can lead to pain and mobility limitations in your daily activities and at work.
If the disease cannot be cured, the pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee can be relieved with a properly fitted knee brace. Following a biomechanical analysis by the orthotist, he will be able to advise you on the best knee brace for the origin of your knee pain in order to comfortably improve your mobility.
Keep the pain at bay
Spending more than 8 hours a day standing, necessarily leads to feet, knee and even back pain. Fortunately, prefabricated or custom-made orthopedic devices are there to allow you to work while limiting the pain. Nurses, hairdressers, waiters or cashiers, your feet and legs are part of your work tools, take good care of them.
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