Standing in Retail

[LV1992]

I'm about to enter my first year of pharmacy school and I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees. I'm questioning whether or not I'll be able to handle standing all day once it progresses. Do you think it will make it difficult for me to work as a pharmacist? Any comments from pharmacists with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

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[PharmDBro2017]

Better get your foot in the door at a hospital then.

I have a bad back (sacrum/coccyx area;weight lifting injury) and it makes me feel like a cripple when I get off work after 10hrs of standing in retail. I have put up with it for a couple years, and ice it/beer upon getting home somewhat numbs the pain. It has definitely given me the motivation to ensure I do not have a future in retail (at least not for 30+ years). I may do it PRN a day or two a month though.

 

[genesis09]

I have a chronic condition. In time, my hip joint will degenerate and I will need a replacement. Even though right now, I don't have any visible joint damage, I don't have the stamina to stand for long periods. My thigh muscle can be completely strained. I forced the issue of a stool by getting a note from my physician. Even still, sometimes I can't sit enough. You need to be firm on your rights through the ADA.

 

[PAtoPharm]

Why do retail chains not allow their pharmacists to sit? Is this the case at every chain? The reason I ask is because I have seen some of the pharmacists at a local Publix sitting on a stool at times, so I was just curious.

 

[Gombrich12]

Why do retail chains not allow their pharmacists to sit? Is this the case at every chain? The reason I ask is because I have seen some of the pharmacists at a local Publix sitting on a stool at times, so I was just curious.

I never sit in front of patients but I will sit for a few minutes every few hours or if it's slow. I don't care what a manager says, if the work is being done who cares?

 

[catalyzt]

When I was at WAGs the DM made us get rid of all the stools in the pharmacy. If anyone tried to bring one back, the store manager was told to let her know and the staff would get written up. Crazy...

 

[Old Timer]

Here is your joint saver.

http://www.gelpro.com/eco-pro-medical
http://www.gelpro.com/eco-pro-medical
After almost 40 years on my feet my knees had enough. My doctor recommended these mats and I can personally attest they work. My kness are still stiff at the end of the day. The pain is gone. I went from daily apap and the occasional 3-4 course of NSAID to zero analgesic pills for my knee.

 

[Sine Cura]

I wonder if standing all day offsets the risks of sitting down or being a sloth after a long day.

 

[generallyspeaking]

You'd think they'd consider workplace safety issues regarding their employee's health

 

[zelman]

You'd think they'd consider workplace safety issues regarding their employee's health

Nah. Break their backs, knees and hips. Let them leave. Hire new grads for less. Rinse and repeat.

 

[knight on horse]

You'd think they'd consider workplace safety issues regarding their employee's health

Don't be naive

 

[boriqua]

can anybody who works in a chain explain the reasoning behind them forcing you to stand all day? none of the independents i've ever worked at banned stools

 

[mustang sally]

can anybody who works in a chain explain the reasoning behind them forcing you to stand all day? none of the independents i've ever worked at banned stools

I was told that sitting gives the appearance of laziness to the customers. I agree with whoever said it above, as long as the work is getting done, who cares if you are sitting?

 

[owlegrad]

I dunno, every CVS I worked at had stools.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using SDN mobile

 

[mentos]

I used to be a runner but my legs are so tired at the end of the 10 or 12 hour shifts that I never want to run anymore. My knees are okay but they were very strong before, I used to run 500-1,000 miles per year. My feet hurt and sometimes my lower back gets sore too. I can only do this for a couple more years maybe.

 

[PAtoPharm]

I used to be a runner but my legs are so tired at the end of the 10 or 12 hour shifts that I never want to run anymore. My knees are okay but they were very strong before, I used to run 500-1,000 miles per year. My feet hurt and sometimes my lower back gets sore too. I can only do this for a couple more years maybe.

My lower back already gets sore when I have been standing for a while, and I find myself wanting to bend over to try and stretch my lower back..... is this bad news for me already?

 

[accordman83]

I guess one of the perks of the night shift...I have plenty of time to sit in my (nicely padded)stool!!

 

[genesis09]

Here is your joint saver.

http://www.gelpro.com/eco-pro-medical
After almost 40 years on my feet my knees had enough. My doctor recommended these mats and I can personally attest they work. My kness are still stiff at the end of the day. The pain is gone. I went from daily apap and the occasional 3-4 course of NSAID to zero analgesic pills for my knee.

Those mats did nothing for me. If you have a severe issue, only sitting will help. I avoid drugs because I am only at the beginning stages. I don't want to loose their efficacy for when I really need them.

 

[cj98]

I remember when I was an intern at a chain our district manager would not let us have stools bc she claimed it made the pharmacy look messy/cluttered

 

[farmadiazepine]

If you work retail, be prepared to stand anywhere between 6 to 8 to 12 to 14 hours a day. You will sit when you have free time. The problem is, nowadays with retail chain stores, there really isn't that much more free time. There are some places which removed stools and chairs completely! How this happens, I don't even know, as it is so f*cked up.

If you want a place where you can sit 8 hours straight, then hospital is the way to go. There are some pharmacists that come in over here, sit down, and don't get up unless they have to go on a lunch break or to the bathroom. I kid you not.

 

[RxPreceptor]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/852987
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/861316

These medscape articles came out somewhat recently...conflicting findings of course. I think corporate could justify their rationale with the increased mortality from sitting. I frankly want to know why anyone would waste money doing these studies.

Bending down & standing up continuously doing C2 counts (safes are floor level) for a solid hour is way more grueling than standing 12 hours...the syncope, dizziness, & head rush make me want to pass out at times.

 

[Kelp103]

That's the good thing about working in a store with two employees <5 feet. They literally can't get rid of our stools or they can't reach anything.

 

[sosoo]

i have arthritis on my knee also. CVS removed the chair that we had, and does not allow stools to sit on. so i resort to sitting on a step ladder to verify scripts. its dirty, and the tech look at me weird, but this is cvs pharmacy. this is how to tell you're a dispenser, NOT a doctor.. i feel embarrass when cvs customers call me doc. but i'm just there for the paychecks.

 

[ABCPharmD]

I know this isn't the vibe of this thread, but I like the standing quite a bit.

 

[generallyspeaking]

Everything in moderation though. If you're standing so much it causes fatigue and soreness, that ain't right. These are quite common occupational health and safety issues

 

[Momus]

Standing up is healthier, you don't die as early. You don't get as fat and burn more calories. I prefer standing up most of the time unless it's super slow that it actually hurts if you just stand not doing sh1t. I can stand 13h/day and no ill effect on me.

This is why more and more people install a standing desk.

 

[lord999]

http://www.zcoil.com/

Fitted for these initially by a DPM and was gifted them from my family the day I was hired for Walgreens as an intern. Replaced them every two years or so even though I don't practice anything that has me standing at all. I'll still wear them if I know I need to on my feet all day. There's also Kuru's on the market, but I've never worn them.

If you have these sorts of foot problems/concerns, this is where a visit to our DPM colleagues is probably in order. We're not foot specialists, for these sorts of matters, you should actually consult real foot specialists. Yes, there are lifestyle modifications, but we are in the 21st Century medicine where we have options. Orthotics has really come a long way even in the last ten years from the material science improvements.

 

[Amicable Angora]

Losing weight is also important and helps you stand longer.

 

[PAtoPharm]

http://www.zcoil.com/

Fitted for these initially by a DPM and was gifted them from my family the day I was hired for Walgreens as an intern. Replaced them every two years or so even though I don't practice anything that has me standing at all. I'll still wear them if I know I need to on my feet all day. There's also Kuru's on the market, but I've never worn them.

If you have these sorts of foot problems/concerns, this is where a visit to our DPM colleagues is probably in order. We're not foot specialists, for these sorts of matters, you should actually consult real foot specialists. Yes, there are lifestyle modifications, but we are in the 21st Century medicine where we have options. Orthotics has really come a long way even in the last ten years from the material science improvements.

Have you ever tried to go running in the Zcoil shoes?

 

[jballer91]

http://www.zcoil.com/

Fitted for these initially by a DPM and was gifted them from my family the day I was hired for Walgreens as an intern. Replaced them every two years or so even though I don't practice anything that has me standing at all. I'll still wear them if I know I need to on my feet all day. There's also Kuru's on the market, but I've never worn them.

If you have these sorts of foot problems/concerns, this is where a visit to our DPM colleagues is probably in order. We're not foot specialists, for these sorts of matters, you should actually consult real foot specialists. Yes, there are lifestyle modifications, but we are in the 21st Century medicine where we have options. Orthotics has really come a long way even in the last ten years from the material science improvements.

Hey guys, new grad here and already feeling the effects of transitioning from part time intern work to full time Rph work. As recommended on here, I got a pair of Danskos (walker shoes, not the clogs) and they feel good, especially when walking. But as the Rph, most of the time I'm just standing in one spot. The heels of my feet hurt the second half of my shift which causes my overall posture and everything to be off and then my back seems to be effected by the time I'm done working. I think it's because I have high arches that there's extra pressure on my feet. I'm young, healthy, and active so even though it's "not that bad" I want to get ahead of this. I figured instead of spending $50 on Dr. Scholls orthotics or more expensive shoe inserts, I might as well see an expert and see what they have to say. I was wondering what experiences Rphs have had with podiatrists (or chiropractors?) for custom fit orthotics. Would ya recommend it? Also, random question, is it okay to shift your weight on to one foot when they start to ache and then switch off or just try to keep the weight even the whole time?

TLDR: How have your experiences seeing a Chiropractor or podiatrist been for custom fit insoles/professional advice? Who would be the better option to go to? Also, any general tips for standing all day if you have it.

 

[lord999]

I 'would' recommend it especially if you do stand all day as that gets rough in year 20-30 of practice. For me, it's kind of the same thing as having an athletic trainer looking at your lifting or running technique every 2-5 years or so just to make sure you aren't developing bad habits on technique that are injury prone. It's far easier to pay even for a useless consult given our level of insurance coverage than throwing out your knees or back from bad technique or posture. I'm also normal weight for my height and race (125 lbs at 66 inches), so it's more from a preventative than a treatment issue.

 

[maria1oh]

I know of one dm who banned stools unless rph had medical excuse from doctor. He was a nice guy other than that though

 

[Sparda29]

Amazon product

I sit on one of these at my independent retail gig.

 

[Momus]

I 'would' recommend it especially if you do stand all day as that gets rough in year 20-30 of practice. For me, it's kind of the same thing as having an athletic trainer looking at your lifting or running technique every 2-5 years or so just to make sure you aren't developing bad habits on technique that are injury prone. It's far easier to pay even for a useless consult given our level of insurance coverage than throwing out your knees or back from bad technique or posture. I'm also normal weight for my height and race (125 lbs at 66 inches), so it's more from a preventative than a treatment issue.

125 lb for a 5'6 male is incredibly thin. You fall on 10% lower than your IBW. I'm 6'0 if I drop 10% weight off 178 lb I look like a scrawny Asian dude about to be blown over by winds... So I bulk up and hit the gym. I'm 180+ now.

 

[lord999]

http://www.cchrchealth.org/health-calculators/body-mass-index-bmi-adults

Asians are arguably 'supposed' to be 10% or so less than the general BMI criteria (unless they man up musclewise like what you're doing). I'm a scrawny Asian and small boned as you've probably guessed, so I'm within my BMI criteria and not even especially on the thin side (I'm a 29/30 waist). And who am I supposed to impress with the gym visits, my wife? Besides having ab exposure from being thin enough, I'm already bulky enough where it counts.... And yeah, I run. I bought hook, line, and sinker the Ed McBain line about the relationship between if you're curious about what your love would look like after a certain activity that you should try to get a look at their face and body after they've had a good, hard run or spin.

More seriously, the podiatry visit was and is due to the fairly sessile positions we stand in. I don't work counter or hood much anymore, so it is not that big an issue, but I injure myself enough running that I do care about making sure I don't blow out my ankles and knees. Saw one too many knee replacements for my own comfort. And about standing desks, people forget that the reason sitting desks were developed were due to people from the early 1900s throwing out their backs at standing desks, and they were in far better shape than we were. It's been my experience that it's worth the time to get preventative medical help: podiatry for your feet, ergonomics or OT to look at your work environment, orthopedics to do workout physical checkups. Why not considering that it's trivial for our level of health coverage?

 

[sosoo]

if you have a note from a doctor that u cannot stand long hours, then they have to give u a stool. at our store we "had" a chair. then the DM took it away from us, and i have to sit on a filthy step ladder.. its very important who your DM is. the DM i have tries to make everyone miserable, everyone including the customers. they keep complaining n complaining on that survey each week n he read through them, but does nothing. what a mtha fking excuse of a pharmacy manager. he screw up the entire district.

 

[Lexington2012]

Standing for long periods may speed progression of atherosclerosis:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10901115