Nurses typically spend an exorbitant amount of time on their feet, and this problem becomes exacerbated by the double shifts that are utilized by hospitals that are short-staffed. Unfortunately, people who work in this profession often face additional roadblocks to staying fresh and motivated throughout the day, and plantar fasciitis is a prime example.
Even though this painful foot condition can afflict anyone, people who stay on their feet for extended periods of time such as nurses and teachers are at risk.
The Facts about Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes torn and inflamed. As a result, the sufferer’s heel will hurt, especially when they take their first few steps after waking up. Nurses may develop a more severe case of this painful sensation that will plague them each time they stand up off and on throughout their entire shift.
Approximately, 2 million Americans currently have plantar fasciitis. Some people have chronic issues that can make it difficult for them to put in a full shift, let alone a double one. After all, nothing is more distracting than dealing with pain, and it can feel flat out impossible at times to keep running from one emergency situation to the next. The good news is that there are several things you can do to minimize the pain of plantar fasciitis, and you can also protect yourself from repeated bouts of this foot issue.
Healing from Plantar Fasciitis
Rest the afflicted foot or feet.
We all know that this is next to impossible in the nursing world. Therefore, you will need to be proactive to keep your pain at bay.
Select the appropriate shoes.
Make sure that your feet are protected by shoes that are well-cushioned and provide proper arch support. It is also critical to replace your shoes after 1,000 miles of walking, which works out to an average of four miles per day for nine months. If you are covering more ground than this on a daily basis, your shoes will need to be replaced more frequently.
Incorporate stretches, trigger point therapy and strength training into your regular routine.
This does not need to take a lot of time, and you can actually focus on these goals during your breaks. The plantar fascia stretch involves placing your hands on your heel and toes and pulling the toes downward and then upward. This has been proven to help the fascia by stretching out the Achilles tendon.
Basic calf stretches helps keep your feet in better shape. Simply stretch your arms out and place your hands flat on a wall, then stretch one leg out behind you while bending your other knee close to the wall. Hold this stretch for a few seconds before switching sides.
Trigger point therapy is best provided by a massage therapist with neuromuscular training. If you can't fit this into your schedule, you can emulate it by placing a tennis ball underneath your foot and rolling it along your arch from heel to ankle and back again several times. Additionally, you should perform foot muscle strengthening exercises after your plantar fascia heals to prevent the problem from coming back.
As you can see, plantar fascia maintenance may take a bit of time, but it is an obtainable goal. By following these tips, you can recover from plantar fasciitis and prevent lifelong issues with multiple flare-ups.
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