Is standing for long hours harmful to your knees and feet?
4 min read
Asked by: Khaled Castano
Excessive standing also causes the joints in the spine, hips, knees and feet to become temporarily immobilized or locked. This immobility can later lead to rheumatic diseases due to degenerative damage to the tendons and ligaments (the structures that bind muscles to bones).
What are the side effects of standing long hours?
Standing for too long can cause a myriad of health complications and uncomfortable effects, including issues like:
- Exhaustion and fatigue;
- Leg cramps;
- Backache;
- Bunions and corns;
- Plantar fasciitis; and.
- Excess pressure on the joints.
How many hours of standing is too much?
According to new research, it turns out that “prolonged standing” is bad for us, too. The study — which was conducted by scientists from Curtin University in Australia — found that adults who stood for 2 hours while working experienced an increase in whole-body discomfort and a reduced mental state.
How many hours of standing is bad?
People who stand 4 to 5 hours a day have higher risk of heart disease, research shows. People who stand for long periods at work may have another reason to join their seated colleagues in moving more.
Is it bad to stand 12 hours a day?
What’s more, research has shown that prolonged standing might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. That’s because standing too long can result in blood pooling in the legs, increased pressure in the veins and increased oxidative stress, all of which can contribute to an increased risk.
What happens to your feet when you stand too long?
Prolonged and frequent standing, without some relief by walking, causes blood to pool in the legs and feet. When standing occurs continually over prolonged periods, it can result in inflammation of the veins. This inflammation may progress over time to chronic and painful varicose veins.
Is it OK to stand for 8 hours?
If that seems like too much, consider this — most experts agree that the majority of people should be able to stand for at least two hours during an 8-hour workday.
How many hours should we stand per day?
Experts have found that you should try to stand for at least 2 hours per day, but up to 4 hours per day could be optimal. This might seem like a lot, but there are lots of ways you can fit standing into your day.
Which is worse sitting or standing all day?
If a 143-pound person stood for six hours a day instead of sitting, they would burn an extra 54 calories a day. In addition, the muscle activity from standing is also associated with lower risks for strokes and heart attacks, researchers said.
Can standing too long cause leg pain?
Leg pain can have many causes, but your description of aching after prolonged standing or sitting suggests a possible buildup of fluid in the leg veins (chronic venous disease, venous insufficiency).
What happens if you stand for 16 hours?
According to the CCOHS report, prolonged standing effectively reduces the blood supply to the muscles resulting in the acceleration of the onset of fatigue and causes pain in the muscles of the legs, back and neck, as well as pooling of blood in the legs and feet which leads to varicose veins.
Can standing on your feet all day cause neuropathy?
Your chances of developing neuropathy in your feet are great if your blood sugars have remained high for a long period. The nerves that go from your spine to your feet are long and they are affected well before the nerves in your arms and hands. If your blood sugars remain high, complications will arise in both feet.
What helps leg pain from standing all day?
7 TIPS FOR CARING FOR YOUR LEGS AND FEET
- 1) Foam roll or tennis ball. You can bring a tennis ball with you to work or keep it stashed in your living room at home. …
- 2) Stretch. …
- 3) Elevate your feet. …
- 4) Invert your body. …
- 5) Compress your calves. …
- 6) Soak your feet. …
- 7) Get a massage.
Why are my legs and feet always aching?
The arteries and/or veins in the legs may get inflamed or blocked, causing leg and foot pain. Common causes include: Peripheral artery disease: Decreased circulation caused due to blocked arteries. Deep vein thrombosis: Blood clot in the deep vein(s) of the leg causing decreased or altered blood flow.
Why do my legs hurt after a 12 hour shift?
Leyden believes that “most of the time we begin to experience aches and tired muscles when standing for long periods of time because our muscles are not strong and resilient enough to handle the stress of 12-hour shifts. This is particularly true for the feet.”
