Link found between foot pain and mental health

Studies have found that changes in foot health can have an adverse effect on mental health and that long term pain can manifest as mental health issues for those affected.

The sudden increase or decrease in activity levels of workers over the past few years has led to more reports of lower limb pain and injury due to a decline in muscle and tendon flexibility, while mental health can affect and be affected by this also.

Reflective of this, oxidative stress, which strongly correlates with depression, anxiety, and other types of emotional stress, is also strongly correlated with inflammation in the body. Dealing with high levels of oxidative stress can increase the risk of foot pain, injury and disorders.

FootActive have put together their top tips for workers who are on their feet all day as well as people working from home in order to help maintain their foot health and, in turn, combat the increased strain on their mental health.

WEAR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR

Flat sole shoes are often the footwear of choice for workers on their feet but are not recommended for prolonged standing. Work shoes should provide adequate arch support to prevent weakness and pain in the legs and feet. If you cannot find suitable shoes which include this support, you can insert orthopaedic insoles into any shoes to help alleviate pain and prevent future foot related disorders.

STRETCH OFTEN

Walking or standing throughout the day can make muscles stiff and limit flexibility. Performing stretches such as calf raises throughout your working day will increase the blood circulation in your lower limbs and decrease your risk of pain and injury.

On the other hand, people working from home are seeing more problems for mental health reasons as well as medical issues such as musculoskeletal pain. This may be because for some they appear to move less and take less breaks. Therefore, when working from home it is important to take regular breaks by just standing or doing a few exercises/movements by the desk and at other times going for a walk.

It is also important to make sure that your work station at home is set up correctly for you to help prevent postural problems and then potential injuries.

SELF CARE

Proper preparation and relaxation from a day on your feet can go a long way in preventative foot care, it also gives you some much needed me time which is highly beneficial to your mental health.

Applying ice, massaging and elevating your feet will help your body to heal, loosen any tight muscles and counteract any swelling that may occur.

SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE EARLY

If your foot or mental health is causing issues with your work, speak with your GP to find a medical solution that works for you. No pain is normal and it should not impact on your daily life.