Below are some suggestions provided by our team of podiatrists as to how to keep your feet happy if you’re on them all day:

Focussing on those people who have key worker jobs and are standing or walking for long hours, the first thing is to ensure you wear a suitable shoe. We always recommend you try a trainer or 'trainer style' shoe first. Wherever possible, try to ensure it is made from a breathable material. Having some arch support, which many trainers do, will help to rest the foot. Ensure the trainer is properly fastened as movement of the foot in the shoe will cause heat and friction, both of which will create discomfort or pain. Do not wear a really flat shoe or high heels if at all possible.

If you are standing in one place for any length of time, roll backwards and forwards on the balls of the feet or you can rise up onto tip toes and back down every so often, these both help to prevent the circulation from becoming too stagnant and help to prevent ankle oedema or swelling.

Moving and exercising the feet is also helpful. We particularly like alphabet exercises, these are actually good for everyone to use as a regular way of improving and maintaining mobility of the feet. The easiest way is to sit with your leg raised and supported on a stool or the edge of the bed with your foot hanging freely. 

Then, using your toes as a big pencil and moving only at the ankle, making sure your calf and knees remain still, draw every letter of the alphabet as large as you can. If you don't have time to go from A-Z, stop somewhere along, remember which letter you stopped at and continue starting from that letter later on. This exercise can be repeated during your work day, say at lunch, too. It incorporates far more movements than circling or moving the foot up and down and doesn't require counting or, for most, any serious concentration. 

3) Use a refreshing foot care product 

We especially like the Akileine Red instant refreshing spray which can be taken to work and quickly and efficiently sprayed during a break to relieve tired and burning feet. 

Podiatrists are trained to both diagnose and treat all manner of foot problems. Sometimes it may be a case of diagnosing the cause and giving advice, other times it could be that a physical treatment is necessary and sometimes a prescription for a corrective device such as an orthotic is required. If you don't know what the cause is or you can't relieve the problem its best to make an appointment and seek professional advice. It is important to note that as a medical service, we will remain open as normal during the current national lock down.

To find out more about relieving painful feet once you’re home, why not watch our video that you can find on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/foothealthbattersea.