This is the first installment in a new series on health issues that affect coffee professionals.ย 

Cafe manager Garrett Oden began noticing discomfort in his feet, knees, and back about a year ago. โ€œI had these really cheap shoes that werenโ€™t really doing so well,โ€ย saysย Oden. Without the time or money to look for an ideal pair of shoes, he ended up buying the same inexpensiveย onesย that had beenย making him uncomfortable.

When it comes to foot pain, Oden is not alone. According to a 2014 American Podiatric Medical Association survey, 77 percent of US adults have experienced foot problems, but only 20ย percentย think about their foot health on a regular basis.ย For baristas, roasters, and other coffee professionals who spend most of their time on theirย feet, having healthy feet is vital to their job performance.

โ€œStanding for long periods of time causes specific muscular-skeletal problems, especially tightness,โ€ย explainsย Dr. Susan Choe, doctor of podiatric medicine and founder of Elevate Podiatry. โ€œI see a lot of people who develop tendonitis, aches, and pain just from being static.โ€

There are a number of ways toย combat muscle fatigue in your feet.ย โ€œThe most important thing is to be mindful about the shoes you wear to work,โ€ saysย Dr. Choe.ย โ€œAnd the second thing is not to ignore symptoms.โ€

As Oden learned quickly, the shoes are important. Dr. Choe recommendsย finding a shoe that can pass a โ€œbend test.โ€ The stiffer the shoe is whenย you try and bend it, the better. โ€œIf youโ€™re doing lots of standing, you want a shoe that is similar to a clogโ€”really rigid and really supportive on the bottom,โ€ she says.

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In Odenโ€™s case, he found that insoles placed into his sneakers went a long way in easing his discomfort. Additionally, the mats in his cafe helped with providing support. โ€œWhen we got them, they madeย a pretty noticeable difference,โ€ saysย Oden.

What else can one do to prevent foot pain?ย Dr. Choe suggestsย quick hourly stretches: โ€œLean forward, try and touch your toes, do a wall push or counter push, and do some calf stretching. Get moving while youโ€™re working.โ€

In addition to the stretches, she also suggests using a foam roller,ย as well as doing general strength training, deep tissue massages, and using good posture. โ€œIโ€™m a huge fan of core exercises. If you have a strong core, you will hold your posture better and walk better,โ€ย saysย Dr. Choe.

The second most common issue that sheย sees in her patients that stand for long periods of time is dermatological. Because people tend to wear the same shoes all the time, they may risk developingย fungal infections. โ€œThere are long hours where youโ€™re sweating and not allowing your feet to breathe,โ€ she adds.

Before she started wearingย boots at her job, Seattle barista Meliza Chairez wore cheap, water-resistant shoes and felt as ifย her โ€œfeet werenโ€™t taken care of.โ€ There was a buildup of sweat from standing on her feet all day.

โ€œIdeally, baristasย should alternateย two or three pairs of working shoes,โ€ย saysย Dr. Choe. For those who sweat more, switching into clean socks during your break, using powder, or finding moisture-wicking socks would also help to keepย fungal infections at bay.

Is it possible to merge fashion and comfort?ย Chairezโ€™s cafe has a very specific dress code. โ€œI was told to wear boots: black, brown, or gray,โ€ she recalls, adding that they also had to be leather. โ€œI immediately thought about my dadโ€”when he would go to work and wear these big industrial boots.โ€ She worried that they would look horrible.

Chairez later learned that the code was flexible, allowing for a small heel and a variety of styles. In fact, the boots were more practical for Seattle weather. โ€œEveryone wears boots up here,โ€ she says.ย โ€œAnd whatโ€™s really cool is that theyโ€™re easy to waterproof because they are leather.โ€

After switching over to boots, Chairez is no longer worried about her foot health. As an extra perk, she says, โ€œWhen I get off work, Iโ€™m not embarrassed by the shoes having milk all over them. The leather is super-easy to clean.โ€

Whether youโ€™re feeling the effects of being on your feet all day or not, Dr. Choe emphasizesย the importance of preventative care. โ€œThe advice I would give to baristas who donโ€™t have health insurance is: Do your best on your own to prevent issues,โ€ she says. During breaks, do a few quick stretches to loosen up muscles instead of spending timeย hunched over your phone. Your feet will thank you.

Jenn Chenย (@TheJennChen)ย is a San Franciscoโ€“based coffee marketer, writer, and photographer. Read more Jenn Chen on Sprudge.

 

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