how to deal with being on your feet all day

[pharmgrl5]

I'm starting at my new pharm tech job on or around May 6th and today I went for a cash register training session. I was on my feet at a cash register for 4 straight hours and by the last hour I was just dying! My feet hurt but what hurt worse was my lower back. I know it's something I'll get used to but it never occurred to me how much my back was going to hurt from being on my feet for hours at a time. I'm going to buy some new tennis shoes that hopefully will be more supportive but I'm curious to know what other techs have done to combat this problem. I was thinking I'd get new shoes, maybe get some gel inserts also for them and maybe even look at those back heat things you can wear. I figure my body will adjust and get used to it eventually but in the meanwhile what are some things that can be done to help with the aches and pains of standing for hours and hours. It's looking like my shifts once I start are going to be at least 7 hours and likely will be around 8 or 9, which will include some breaks but still will probably end up being killers.

Advice or tips would be appreciated! Thanks! 😀

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[thephoenician88]

I'm starting at my new pharm tech job on or around May 6th and today I went for a cash register training session. I was on my feet at a cash register for 4 straight hours and by the last hour I was just dying! My feet hurt but what hurt worse was my lower back. I know it's something I'll get used to but it never occurred to me how much my back was going to hurt from being on my feet for hours at a time. I'm going to buy some new tennis shoes that hopefully will be more supportive but I'm curious to know what other techs have done to combat this problem. I was thinking I'd get new shoes, maybe get some gel inserts also for them and maybe even look at those back heat things you can wear. I figure my body will adjust and get used to it eventually but in the meanwhile what are some things that can be done to help with the aches and pains of standing for hours and hours. It's looking like my shifts once I start are going to be at least 7 hours and likely will be around 8 or 9, which will include some breaks but still will probably end up being killers.

Advice or tips would be appreciated! Thanks! 😀

you need some cushioning in your shoes, get some of those gel pads, they work well, especially around the heels. Eventually you will get used to it though, i stand on my feet anywhere from 6 to 10 hours and when i get home they're a little sore, but nothing too bad. Meh, you'll get used to it, take a motrin if it hurts, haha.

 

[Happy Hounds]

MBT shoes. They are big, funky, and orthopedic, but damn if they didn't relieve my lower back pain and sciatic issues. They're a bit of an investment at about $250-300, but you can write it off on your taxes as a work-related expense.

http://www.swissmasaius.com/Default.aspx?lang=en-US

 

[PharmDY]

I highly recommend the brand Aerosoles. I wear ~1" heels, walk to work and back (about 2 miles), and work a 9-hr shift and I'm on my feet at least 8 hrs. I can't complain one bit because my Aerosoles are that comfortable! thus, highly recommend 🙂

 

[thesteve1]

maybe your pharmacy will provide you with the shock absorbing mats to stand on? At my pharmacy they have them at all high point of use pretty much, drop off window, register, and phramacist visual row. Those pads help alot. Also have you met your manager yet? Maybe he'll let you sit when no customers are around, my manager allows sitting, eating, etc. very relaxed.

 

[nerv12345]

you'll get used to it haha.

 

[RxWildcat]

you'll get used to it haha.

exactly, if a 4 hour shift is bugging you try a 12 hour shift (the pharmacists at one store I work at do 17 hour shifts!)

 

[trailrider400]

i was on my feet for 12 hours today... man up! lol but I feel your pain... The best thing for me has been to put those Dr. Shoels gel inserts in my shoes they work really well... and if that doesn't work just pop a couple 7 or 8 vicoden and you should be fine...

 

[jmcfa002]

you will get use to it. My legs, shoulders, and back would hurt, but it goes away eventually

 

[Scrubs Fan]

try dancing

like no one is watching

 

[cinnamoroll12]

I'm starting at my new pharm tech job on or around May 6th and today I went for a cash register training session. I was on my feet at a cash register for 4 straight hours and by the last hour I was just dying! My feet hurt but what hurt worse was my lower back. I know it's something I'll get used to but it never occurred to me how much my back was going to hurt from being on my feet for hours at a time. I'm going to buy some new tennis shoes that hopefully will be more supportive but I'm curious to know what other techs have done to combat this problem. I was thinking I'd get new shoes, maybe get some gel inserts also for them and maybe even look at those back heat things you can wear. I figure my body will adjust and get used to it eventually but in the meanwhile what are some things that can be done to help with the aches and pains of standing for hours and hours. It's looking like my shifts once I start are going to be at least 7 hours and likely will be around 8 or 9, which will include some breaks but still will probably end up being killers.
Advice or tips would be appreciated! Thanks! 😀

That's what I'm worried about when I start interning while in pharmacy school or doing my residency afterwards because of my foot problem (still working on a surgery, but it takes a long time for my feet to recover...and as a busy student I need my feet to walk). I can't wear heels or nice shoes for a long time. During the school interview, I had to force myself to walk in those heels. But I was so glad the school didn't offer a tour after the interview, otherwise I would have been a wreck.

 

[wooki]

are u in shape? staying active can help u. and u can even do some lower back workouts. i know keeping my lower back muscles active has helped me stand for 8 hour shifts at work.

 

[inquirer89]

I've seen a lot of medical people wear Dansko shoes. They're suppose to be good for your back and really comfortable.

Then there's always Crocs! lol

 

[corbomite]

I'm starting at my new pharm tech job on or around May 6th and today I went for a cash register training session. I was on my feet at a cash register for 4 straight hours and by the last hour I was just dying! My feet hurt but what hurt worse was my lower back. I know it's something I'll get used to but it never occurred to me how much my back was going to hurt from being on my feet for hours at a time. I'm going to buy some new tennis shoes that hopefully will be more supportive but I'm curious to know what other techs have done to combat this problem. I was thinking I'd get new shoes, maybe get some gel inserts also for them and maybe even look at those back heat things you can wear. I figure my body will adjust and get used to it eventually but in the meanwhile what are some things that can be done to help with the aches and pains of standing for hours and hours. It's looking like my shifts once I start are going to be at least 7 hours and likely will be around 8 or 9, which will include some breaks but still will probably end up being killers.

Advice or tips would be appreciated! Thanks! 😀

Advice: be less of a wuss
Tips: see above

 

[AbsoluteEthanol]

I'll be a bit more supportive pharmgirl, i am in perfect shape and when i worked as a clerk those 9 hours shifts were absolutely BRUTAL on my feet and on my back. especially because stupid *** CVS requires guys to wear nice shoes (which are usually the least comfortable), slacks, and a tie... for 8 bucks an HOUR, what a joke!!!!!

i feel your pain; however, if you were able to give birth TWICE i think working a 4 hour shift should be a piece of cake!

 

[glowinglimabean]

Working in retail is truly grueling work. Especially standing on your feet for 8 hours straight. I did extensive research on shoes. Dansko are about 100 bucks a pair, but they are so worth it! Merrel, gentle soles and Mephisto are good too. I guess besides enduring back aches my biggest fear are varicose veins. They are my personal phobia. After every shift I would lie on the floor with my legs against the wall. Happy shoe shopping. Check out endless shoes .com I usually find bargains there.

 

[vu5082]

My shoes were 14$ + shipping cost, and I'm doing just fine...Although when I just started, I wore the shoes that cost me $120 and they were not comfortable at all, so I went shopping online for a sale pair of shoes. Yep ! $14 and it's been a year since the day I bought it! It's still in perfect shape and wearing them I can run like a "maniac" in the pharmacy without hurting my feel 😀. I'm full time worker btw.

 

[confettiflyer]

Get some nice shoes...you don't have to spend a lot either. I wear Rockports and spent about $50. It took me a month to get used to standing 8 hours a day--my last job was an admin job and I sat for 8 hours a day.

I lost 10 pounds...now when I go to theme parks and stuff I can last 10-12 hours without problems.

 

[pharmgrl5]

Advice: be less of a wuss
Tips: see above

"Advice" like this was what I was hoping to not see. I didn't feel that I needed to include my medical history here but since you seem to think that everyone should be able to just off the bat handle stuff like this... first off being a wuss has nothing to do with anything. As has been mentioned, I do have 2 kids and during my last pregnancy my lower back was just totally destroyed. I was on the verge of being wheelchair bound by the end of it. It's left me with chronic lower back problems and shooting pains down my legs. And I'm only 23 so this isn't exactly the kind of thing I'm real happy with. Prior to all this I worked in a grocery store and did somehow manage to hurt my back so wasn't in the best of shape before this.

For those of you who tried to give tips and advice without putting me down I thank you and do appreciate it. I'm aware that as I get used to my job my body will adjust, so I'm really just looking for ways to ease the aches in the meanwhile. I will look into some of the suggestions given. Unfortunately I can't wear Crocs to work as we have a "no open heeled or open toed" shoe policy.

 

[Transformer]

I'm starting at my new pharm tech job on or around May 6th and today I went for a cash register training session. I was on my feet at a cash register for 4 straight hours and by the last hour I was just dying! My feet hurt but what hurt worse was my lower back. I know it's something I'll get used to but it never occurred to me how much my back was going to hurt from being on my feet for hours at a time. I'm going to buy some new tennis shoes that hopefully will be more supportive but I'm curious to know what other techs have done to combat this problem. I was thinking I'd get new shoes, maybe get some gel inserts also for them and maybe even look at those back heat things you can wear. I figure my body will adjust and get used to it eventually but in the meanwhile what are some things that can be done to help with the aches and pains of standing for hours and hours. It's looking like my shifts once I start are going to be at least 7 hours and likely will be around 8 or 9, which will include some breaks but still will probably end up being killers.

Advice or tips would be appreciated! Thanks! 😀

A proper shoe for the shape of your feet may alleviate your pain.

Do you take your breaks and lunch on time?
If not, I suggest taking your breaks. And during your breaks, sit down and loosen up a little. At CVS, you absolutely need to force yourself to take breaks; regardless of what other people may say. In the end, your health is most important. Try this simple task. As a reminder, set up your alarm clock to help you remember to take breaks.

If your bosses says no, tell them you need to go to the restroom. That always works.

take care

 

[CrazyFox]

You probably can also try to buy the stockings with light compression.Kinda like the one that people with varicose veins have to wear. I wear them and it helps to relieve the pain in the legs.It suppose to be good for your veins and at the end of my 10 hr workday (80% of which I stand) I don't feel so tired in the legs. Oh yeah and make sure that you bought the stockings that are lighter in compression.The only disadvantage that some of them are looking ugly, but I wear pants and jeans to work so that doesn't matter. I hope that helps.

 

[UES Girl]

Advice: be less of a wuss
Tips: see above

People like you are what's wrong with this forum. 👎

 

[Sparda29]

i was on my feet for 12 hours today... man up! lol but I feel your pain... The best thing for me has been to put those Dr. Shoels gel inserts in my shoes they work really well... and if that doesn't work just pop a couple 7 or 8 vicoden and you should be fine...

LOL, I got my doctor to prescribe me Vicodin, usually 1-2 helps me finish a shift. (I already have knee issues so there's a legit medical reason.)

 

[Moxxie]

Don't listen to people who tell you just to suck it up. Standing on your feet all day can get really, really painful, not only for your feet but also for your knees and back. Wear supportive shoes, take breaks when you can, and if you have to, take anti-inflammatories. I've found that if I stay hydrated (like at least 3 big water bottles on an 8-hour shift), it helps too.

I haven't worked at all this semester, so it's going to be a b!itch when I start again next month. I have a knee injury so I favor one leg, which only makes my foot pain worse in the other leg. Plus, being 8 months pregnant won't help either. It sucks that I won't be able to take naproxen, which is my life-saver. I'll be wearing compression stockings, taking APAP, and if my current shoes aren't good enough, I'll get a pair of Danskos.

Good luck!

 

[rxliteguy]

if you don't like standing up, i suggest mail order pharmacy. I work as a tech at a mail order pharmacy, where you sit in your cubicle all the time, except during breaks and lunch. The only bad thing about sitting down all the time is your back hurts, the blood circulation in your legs decreases, and your eyes hurt from staring at the computer screen all day long.

 

[mrblah]

superfeet inserts and merrell light hikers, is my favorite combo.

 

[PharmApp2008]

Make sure that you don't lock your knees and try squating to the floor and standing back up when you need to. It feels good. I used to be in chorus and we would have 3 hour concerts standing in one place. It was so painful. I found that taking a pain killer helps. Otherwise, if you are in a pharmacy just walk around as much as you can.

 

[Alby]

Working a register is hard on your feet and back because you are standing all day in one spot. You will find in the pharmacy you do a lot of running around... this actually is less painful than standing still. I recommend you get orthotics fit by a podiatrist - they will be expensive, but should be a write off. You can also try a back support to help with your alignment. Also, make sure you have good posture- this will relieve pain. Also, a lot of back pain is due to a weak core... therefore- building your abs and obliques can help. Good luck!

 

[sammy15]

I'm starting at my new pharm tech job on or around May 6th and today I went for a cash register training session. I was on my feet at a cash register for 4 straight hours and by the last hour I was just dying! My feet hurt but what hurt worse was my lower back. I know it's something I'll get used to but it never occurred to me how much my back was going to hurt from being on my feet for hours at a time. I'm going to buy some new tennis shoes that hopefully will be more supportive but I'm curious to know what other techs have done to combat this problem. I was thinking I'd get new shoes, maybe get some gel inserts also for them and maybe even look at those back heat things you can wear. I figure my body will adjust and get used to it eventually but in the meanwhile what are some things that can be done to help with the aches and pains of standing for hours and hours. It's looking like my shifts once I start are going to be at least 7 hours and likely will be around 8 or 9, which will include some breaks but still will probably end up being killers.

Advice or tips would be appreciated! Thanks! 😀

I have had chronic low back pain my whole life. The worst thing is standing in one place for any amount of time. Anything over a half an hour is agonizing. I am in great shape, work out, etc. I tried everything imaginable and good shoes help but will not fix the problem in your spine. I went to a chiropractor for a year. 6 months into it the pain stopped. After that year I went 5 year with ZERO pain, without seeing the chiropractor. I could stand all day. Now it is just starting to come back, and I am going back to the chiropractor. Good luck.

 

[FlavyFlav]

One thing to remember is to always keep moving. You're hurting because you keep your body in one position which will fatigue a single group of muscles, as you've seen. At my work, I'm never in the same place for longer than a few minutes, and I do it on purpose.

Also, if you haven't had a job where you stand for extended periods of time, you will just have to let your muscles develop themselves for the exertion. Comfortable shoes and proper nutrition will help, but moving, I believe, will take care of most of your problems.

Another thing, if you are hurting, take a break. They can't force you to stay in one spot forever, and an intelligent manager wouldn't want to do that at all.

 

[AngelaCL]

Put your feet up when you go on break and when you go home at the end of the day. Don't use your break to run errands or anything - just go right to the breakroom and put your feet on another chair. It does help. It doesn't take long to get used to it.

 

[Sparda29]

If you have it, see if the pharmacy has capasacin patches, they work wonders.

 

[mizslovely2010]

Reebok classics work great for me

 

[Jimminator21]

Also, make sure you have good posture- this will relieve pain. Also, a lot of back pain is due to a weak core... therefore- building your abs and obliques can help. Good luck!

Planks and prone cobras will also help make your core solid. 👍(Google them)

 

[BacardiGirl]

I WISH I were on my feet all day instead of sitting at a damn desk for 10 hours like I do now at work! 😉

 

[Twins fan]

One of the pharmacists I work with has this brand of shoes called Z-Coils. They actually have a big spring in the sole. They look ridiculous, but she swears by them...she's in her early 50's and used to always have knee and back pain, but she says these shoes have really alleviated her pain.

Their website is www.zcoil.com ....I swear I don't work for them!😀 I want to buy a pair eventually but seeing as how I only tech part time right now I'll just go with my Clarks.

 

[genesis09]

I have a bad hip. I had surgery on it when I was young. Sometimes, it just hurts for not apparent reason. Due to it, I'll never get use to standing for long periods of time. When I'm a pharmacist, it won't be as much as an issue because I won't be moving around as much and can bring over a chair. If the company gives be flack about it, I'll just explain my medical situation and the ADA.