Standing

How Does Standing Affect the Feet?

Anytime you're on your feet, your body is putting pressure on your feet. When you walk or move, this pressure is more naturally distributed across the foot as your foot is moved, but when you're simply standing — especially when you're standing for a long period of time — that pressure keeps bearing down on the same part of the foot without relief.

Those who stand for long periods of time (such as cashiers and security guards) will typically find that they develop pain in the heel, arch, and ball of their feet. While shifting around on your feet may bring some relief, this pain and discomfort will typically continue to grow the longer you remain on your feet.

Standing can also create knee pain, hip pain, and lower back pain, all of which are typically caused by poor posture and/or misaligned joints.

How Do Insoles Help with Standing?

Cushioning and support are both necessary to alleviate pain and discomfort from standing.

A good amount of cushioning will help to absorb much of the pressure that your body exerts on your feet, which will provide your feet with immediate relief, especially under the heel and ball-of-foot, while proper arch support will help keep the arch of the foot reinforced while also helping to distribute pressure more evenly across the foot, eliminating singular "pain points."

The best insoles for standing feature either a flexible or semi-rigid arch support, providing your foot with good support without it being overly rigid, as well as at least a moderate amount of cushioning for good pressure relief across the entire foot. For our top recommendations, see our top picks for standing.

What Else Can I Do for Relief from Standing?

In addition to having a good pair of arch support insoles suitable for long periods of standing, there's a few other tips to help prevent or alleviate discomfort from standing:

• Standing on a cushioned surface is much better for your feet than standing on a hard surface. If you spend long periods of time standing on concrete, tile, linoleum, or other hard-material floors, placing an anti-fatigue mat where you stand can provide a world of difference.
• Supportive socks can help provide additional foot support beyond what your insoles will provide on their own, which will help better distribute pressure and prevent foot fatigue.
• While taking pressure off your feet by occasionally sitting is ideal, this isn't always possible. Instead, stretching your feet while standing can help alleviate discomfort, even if just stretching in place.
  
• Massaging your feet after a long day can help your feet recover faster, too. Personal care items such as massage balls, soothing foot creams, and foot baths all help your feet to relax and recover.