Why Your Feet and Legs Ache After Work — And How a Podiatrist Can Help

We all know that if you work in retail, hospitality or as a tradie, it can mean long hours on your feet with lots of hustle and bustle. It is therefore only natural that your feet and legs ache at the end of the day, right? Well no, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Foot Pain From Standing All Day: Why It Happens

Spending long hours on your feet places continuous pressure on your muscles, bones and joints. This pressure increases if your job involves lifting, bending, squatting or climbing ladders. Over time, your body structures may struggle to recover, leading to overload injuries and ongoing pain.

If you already have a niggle or existing injury, it’s even harder for the body to repair itself when you’re constantly loading the same muscles, tendons or bones without enough rest.

Q: Why do my feet hurt after standing all day?

A: Standing keeps pressure fixed on the same areas of your feet and legs, unlike walking where weight shifts between different muscles and joints. This leads to muscle fatigue, reduced blood flow, and greater risk of pain and injury.

Standing Still vs. Moving Around

Some people think that because their job doesn’t involve repetitive movements like lifting or squatting, they’re less at risk. Unfortunately, standing for hours without moving much can be just as stressful for your body.

This type of strain can lead to problems such as:

• Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)

• Achilles tendon pain

• Corns and calluses

• Shin splints

These are some of the most common reasons patients come to see us after long work days.

How Small Aches Can Become Bigger Problems

“It’s just part of the job.” “It will get better.” “I just have to put up with it.” These are all common statements we hear in the clinic. What often begins as a small niggle here and there can gradually become a daily, painful problem.

With overuse injuries, damage builds up over time. Small microtears may not seem like a big deal at first, but if ignored they can worsen into serious pain. For example, plantar fasciitis might start with a little heel soreness, but left untreated it can progress into a painful tear that makes every step uncomfortable.

As Paul Kelly sang — “From little things, big things grow.” Unfortunately, when it comes to foot and leg pain, this growth isn’t a good thing.

The Impact Beyond Work

Pain from aching feet and legs doesn’t just affect your job. It can also follow you home, making it harder to enjoy family time, social activities, or sports. The longer pain is ignored, the harder it can be to treat — and in some cases, it can even threaten your ability to keep working.

Q: When should I see a podiatrist for aching feet?

A: If pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps returning, or is interfering with daily life, it’s time to get professional help. Early treatment is simpler, quicker, and far less costly than leaving it too long.

How a Podiatrist Can Help With Work-Related Foot and Leg Pain

We understand that reducing your hours or changing jobs isn’t always realistic. But what you can change is how you manage your foot and leg health.

Podiatrists are allied health professionals trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of foot, ankle and lower limb problems. At My Family Podiatry we:

• Conduct a comprehensive biomechanical examination.

• Assess your foot type, gait, footwear and job-specific demands.

• Identify strengths and weaknesses contributing to pain.

• Tailor a treatment plan to help you recover and prevent further problems.

This might involve orthotics, footwear advice, strength programs, or advanced treatments like shockwave therapy. Our goal is simple: to keep you comfortably employed — whether you’re climbing ladders, rushing food to tables, or standing on the sales floor.

Conclusion

Aching feet and legs at the end of the day are not “just part of the job.” Pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t working properly. With the right assessment and treatment, you can reduce pain, prevent long-term injury, and get back to enjoying life both at work and at home.

If sore feet and legs are holding you back, book an appointment with My Family Podiatry today. Our team will help you move comfortably, recover faster, and stay on your feet without pain.

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