FOOT HEALTH TIPS FOR AIRLINE TRAVELLERS AND EMPLOYEES

Tips for Airline Travellers 

If you are travelling for business or pleasure, chances are you’ll be doing a lot of walking, whether at airport terminals or sightseeing. Sore feet, which can act as more than a distraction can be avoided. Here are some tips to keep your feet comfortable and pain-free while travelling:

  1. Consider wearing soft-soled laced walking shoes for those long walks at airport terminals. This will reduce the jarring of the hard floors and not only make your feet more comfortable, but reduce the strain to your knees and back.

  2. Women who prefer to wear dress shoes may want to consider flats or low pumps with cushioned soles. Feet and ankles tend to swell particularly with longer flights and so a tight fitting dress shoe will only feel worse by the end of the flight.Consider bringing an extra pair of thick socks to wear so that you can take off your shoes during the flight.

  3. In your seat exercises:Try doing some range of motions exercises for your feet and ankles. Doing some circles with each foot as well as moving your feet up and down prevents stiffness. Also with your legs extended, pull your feet up at the ankles to stretch the calf muscles. On longer flights, going for a walk up and down the aisle may be helpful (as long as the serving carts aren’t in use at the time).

  4. Consider taking some “moleskin” pads along with you. These little pads are available from a drugstore and can often reduce the irritation if there is a pressure point on a toe from a shoe. Better:   if you experience pressure points on your feet or toes, our 1/8" adhesive pads do an excellent job of alleviating pressure from shoes.  (Check out our store for those).

  5. If you have corns or calluses, consider getting them treated by a podiatrist before your flight. These minor problems can be very painful particularly if extensive walking is involved. They can be painlessly treated before your trip to enhance your comfort.

  6. If you frequently experience sore arches or heels, extensive travelling will only make it worse. If your feet are flat, this can cause stretching on the sole of your foot in which case orthotic devices would be helpful before your trip.

  7. Orthotics advisory: If you do require orthotic devices, have them prescribed by a podiatrist. Many retail centers are playing the role of a foot specialist and will often dispense an off-the-shelf insert which may or may not be of temporary benefit but will not control the mechanics of the gait cycle to a precise degree.

  8. Elevate your feet. When you get to your hotel room after a very long flight, your feet and ankles may be swollen and elevation would be helpful.

  9. Ice for foot pain. If you are otherwise healthy with good circulation, but experience pain in your feet, an ice-pack applied for about five minutes to the sore area may reduce inflammation on a temporary basis.

Many people think foot pain is normal. It is not. A little care and attention can go a long way to enhance your foot comfort and allow for a more pleasurable business or pleasure trip.

Tips for Airline Employees 

Many people that work for the airlines complain of painful feet. If your job involves long walks through terminals, or many hours on your feet, then aching or tired feet can ruin your day! It’s hard to offer service with a smile when your feet are making you miserable.

Here are some tips to keep your feet comfortable and pain-free while at work:

  • When possible, consider wearing soft soled, laced walking shoes for added cushioning and support. This will reduce the jarring of the hard floor and also lessen the strain to your knees and back.

  • Women who prefer or need to wear dress shoes may want to consider flats or low pumps that have cushioned soles. Flight attendants know that their feet can swell, particularly with longer flights. Avoiding a tight fitting dress shoe will prevent the shoe from feeling even worse by the end of the flight.

  • Stretch when you can. Take a moment out to stretch your calf muscles or try some range of motion exercises with your feet, such as circles or moving them up and pointing them down. This will enhance flexibility, particularly if you’re doing a lot of standing.

  • Flight attendants may want to consider having some “moleskin” pads available. These little pads are available at pharmacies and can reduce pressure or irritation on a toe where a blister or corn is developing, or where the shoe is just creating too much pressure.

  • Corns and callouses are not normal. If you have these lesions on your feet, consider seeing a chiropodist so that they can be painlessly removed for immediate relief.

  • Elevate your feet when you can. Flight attendants who frequently experience swelling of the ankles would do well to elevate their feet when the opportunity arises, or at the end of the day.

  • Ice is good for foot pain. If you are otherwise healthy with good circulation but experience a painful problem in your feet, an ice pack applied for about 5 minutes to a sore area may reduce the inflammation on a temporary basis.

  • Sore arches or heels can be very aggravating. You may have flat feet (pronation). This causes stretching along the bottom of your feet. Orthotic devices would correct this problem, but not all orthotics are the same.

  • Brought to you by Doctor John A. Hardy, owner of Toronto's foot clinic, Academy Foot and Orthotics Clinic. 

 

PROFESSIONAL FOOT CLINIC

416-465-8737

Toronto, ON Chiropodist Academy Foot and Orthotic

752 BROADVIEW AVENUE Toronto, ON M4K 2P1 

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