Apr 01, 2024

Healthcare Heroes: How Nurses can Recover from Plantar Fasciitis and Fatigue Through Sensory Wellness

The Toughest Feet on the Frontlines: The Physical Toll of Nursing

The world owes a significant debt of gratitude to our healthcare workers, especially nurses. They provide constant care, empathy, and essential health services despite the challenging conditions of their profession. In the unsettling times of a global pandemic, they stood as public health heroes.

Nurses carry out an underestimated amount of physical labor. The considerable time they spend on their feet, dashing between patients and covering great lengths of hospital corridors daily, is often overlooked. This relentless mobility, deeply embedded in their profession, frequently leads to extensive foot fatigue and consequential health complications.

It's paramount that nurses are supported with wellness strategies. Opting for specially designed footwear and adopting scientifically proven wellness practices can dramatically help nurses do the jobs that many rely on. One thing is sure – when our nurses are given wellness resources, they can continue to carry society forward with critical health services.

The Essential Role of Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses and other healthcare workers proved that they are the backbone of societal infrastructure. Nurses, classified as essential workers, often worked longer hours under stressful conditions. These frontline workers stepped forward amidst overwhelming work conditions to get us through one of the most challenging times in the 21st century.

During the pandemic, nurses worked overtime, putting in an average of 60 hours per week. Just because the world was in an emergency didn't mean life stopped. Regular patient care responsibilities and unpredictable emergencies continued. The weight of service took a physical and emotional toll on our healthcare workers. Over 60% of nurses reported increased levels of stress and burnout during the pandemic.

Nurses were on their feet for hours, managing high-stress situations and continuously wearing heavy protection gear. These conditions significantly contributed to physical fatigue, chronic pain conditions, circulatory problems, and mental health issues.

The psychological impact cannot be overemphasized. Persistent concerns about potential virus exposure, the devastating mortality they witnessed firsthand, and the dread of transmitting the virus to loved ones might have sparked an increase in anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) instances. Despite such grim circumstances, their resilience stood unwavering as they showcased a steadfast dedication to the patients they served.

It's important to remember that the grueling pace of a nurse's day isn't merely a product of the pandemic. Nurses and healthcare workers are often on their feet for 12 hours or more and walk an average of 4-5 miles during a shift. If we combine this information with the reality that some healthcare workers serve others first before considering their well-being, we have a significant problem on our hands.

Nurses silently suffering with Plantar Fasciitis

Healthcare professionals sometimes put their patients' health before their own. Even though their commitment is commendable, their intensive roles could lead to health problems. For example, one study reports 53% of nurses experiencing chronic foot pain. Ignoring their health can not only lead to physical issues, but it could also hinder their performance and ability to provide adequate care.

The demanding nature of the nurses' profession might leave less time for self-care, making it essential to bring awareness to the importance of their wellness. Around 35% of nurses suffer from plantar fasciitis, a common foot condition due to extended standing. To help fix this problem, nurses can utilize science-based wellness strategies.

Decoding the Physical Impact of Standing All Day

Staying on one's feet all day can have significant health-related consequences that deserve our attention. We look to three specific areas of focus: musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular health, and cognitive well-being.

The Musculoskeletal System: Strain and Stress

The musculoskeletal system, the body's framework of bones, muscles, and joints, bears the brunt of the damage from prolonged standing. Over time, it leads to muscle fatigue, joint compression, and strain—primarily on the lower back and legs. Excessive standing contributes to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which include conditions like lower limb discomfort and chronic back pain. These physical stresses on our healthcare workers translate into higher risks of injury and a potential decrease in work effectiveness.

Cardiovascular Health: A Silent Threat

It's not just about the bones and muscles; the heart and the entire cardiovascular system are also significantly impacted. Findings by McCulloch (2002) highlighted the occurrence of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)—a condition marked by below-par blood flow— in workers standing for over eight hours. Prolonged standing increases the workload on the heart as it requires more effort to pump blood uphill from the legs back to the heart. This situation, combined with reduced leg muscle contraction, can lead to increased pressure in the veins and, ultimately, CVI. This particular risk unveils another layer of strain that standing professions introduce to our dedicated nurses.

Overall Well-being: The Ripple Effects

As if the muscular and cardiovascular stresses were insufficient, prolonged standing is also associated with enhanced oxidative stress, an imbalance leading to potential cellular damage. This situation puts nurses and healthcare workers at greater risk for fatigue, diminished cognitive performance, and mood disorders. The constant exhaustion brought about by their noble work can reduce the quality of their well-being inside and outside their workplace.

Moving Forward through foot health

All hope is not lost. Intervention strategies designed to mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged standing have shown a high degree of effectiveness. Following guidelines from governmental and professional organizations, along with improved design protocols and preventive measures, can reduce these health risks. Implementing these changes in hospitals and healthcare facilities would be a powerful acknowledgment and a meaningful way to support the wellness and resilience of our frontline nurses.

Simple Strategies to Help Nurses with Foot Fatigue

Although the long hours and physical toll can be overwhelming, nurses and other healthcare workers can introduce simple, practical strategies into their daily routines to help take control of their wellness.

The Importance of Proper Footwear

The physical layout of a healthcare worker's workstation and the types of tools they use often determine the body positions they will have to assume, impacting their health. Nursing, in particular, requires using feet as a primary service tool. That's why the choice of footwear can drastically influence the degree of stress experienced by their lower body. Products from companies like Naboso can provide science-driven support that incorporates nerve stimulation to improve comfort for those long hours on their feet. Investing in high-quality, supportive footwear is an effective strategy for preventing musculoskeletal issues associated with long periods of standing.

Regular Breaks and Exercise

Regular breaks during shifts are a necessity, not a luxury—especially for those working beyond the standard 8-hour day. It's essential to find short moments of respite to sit down, hydrate, and eat nutrient-rich snacks to maintain energy levels. Introducing simple exercises into these breaks, such as stretching or using a foot recovery tool, can reduce muscle stress and fatigue.

Stimulating the nerves of the foot to relieve foot fatigue

By targeting and stimulating nerves in the feet, healthcare workers can harness the body's innate wisdom to reverse the adverse effects of being on their feet all day. There are ways to improve overall wellness during the workday and make the countless daily steps a crucial part of their health routine.

Naboso, with its innovative approach, aims to help relieve musculoskeletal issues, poor cardiovascular circulation, and plantar fasciitis. Naboso products are specifically designed to stimulate the nerves at the soles of the feet, facilitating a more organic and efficient neuro-muscular response.

Naboso's Recovery Tools for Nurses and Healthcare Workers

Naboso products can play a significant role in managing the many challenges highlighted in this article. The principle behind Naboso's innovative products is grounded in neurophysiology. By stimulating the nerves on the bottom of the foot, Naboso products send enhanced information to our brain that helps us adjust and react better to our physical world. This increased signaling boosts balance and body awareness and, thus, promotes better posture and efficient walking.

The Naboso Insoles for Nursing Shoes

Naboso shoe insoles can work with any nursing shoes. Their textured design provides a constant source of gentle stimulation to the nerves on your feet as you stand or walk. During the daunting 12-hour shift, a healthcare worker can reduce inflammation and improve balance and stability while walking. This can help alleviate plantar fasciitis and increase blood flow throughout the body.

These are not ordinary insoles. Naboso insoles are infused with texture science and feature small, dome-shaped protrusions evenly spread across the surface, mirroring the nerve-rich patterns found on the bottom of our feet. This clever design targets the specific places where nerve endings cluster, stimulating the nerves right where they count. This generates a constant gentle massage sensation – promoting relaxation and boosting circulation – and enhances your foot's tactile sensation and grip, increasing balance and stability. While subtle, The texture's subtle design is a game-changer in insole technology by creating a more natural foot-to-ground connection, which is especially beneficial for people who spend extended periods on their feet.

The Naboso Neuro Ball for Post-Shift Relaxation

What about foot fatigue after work? The Naboso Neuro Ball presents an additional massage tool for post-work recovery. It's carefully constructed to be just the right size and hardness, allowing it to deliver the soothing pressure needed without being too intrusive or aggressive.

Its exterior, textured with tiny, pyramid-shaped nubs, primarily stimulates the numerous nerve endings in the feet. This pattern is based on the structure of the human skin and intended to enhance proprioceptive stimulation—our body's sense of where it is in space.

Its compact design allows for easy transportation, and the material used is dense enough for practical pressure application yet soft enough to prevent any bruising or damage to the foot. The Naboso Neuro Ball is perfect for post-shift relaxation, at home or on the go.

Clinical research suggests that such nerve-stimulating tools can expedite recovery, reduce stress levels, and improve balance and body awareness. After hours of tireless service, wouldn't a quick, science-backed recovery method sound like medicine? Naboso's Neuro Ball offers precisely that.

At Naboso, we understand nurses' and healthcare workers' unique needs, and our mission is to support them on their path to optimal wellness. Naboso's products offer a practical solution for nurses and healthcare workers committed to their vital work. They allow these unsung heroes to focus on looking after their patients without compromising their well-being.

The Naboso Commitment to Nurses around the world

At Naboso, we understand the priceless value of nurses to society, a truth brought sharply into focus during the global pandemic. Nurses represent the backbone of our healthcare system, their work impacting nearly every facet of daily life. They are the steadfast support during the birth of a new baby, the care for a sudden injury, support for chronic illnesses, or a reassuring voice in the darkest hours of a pandemic.

Naboso witnessed firsthand this unyielding commitment of nurses to society's health and wellness. Seeing their courage, self-sacrifice, and tirelessness, we are fueled to rise in our commitment to them. As they walk the long corridors of healthcare, we want to ensure they do so in comfort, free from pain and fatigue. Naboso is committed to relentlessly innovating and providing the optimum care and support that these healthcare heroes deserve.

In recognition of the valuable contributions of our healthcare heroes, we are eager to extend a special offer. Every nurse or healthcare worker who emails this link from their work account (proving their role in healthcare) will receive an extra 15% off on all Naboso products. This gesture is our small way of showing gratitude and appreciation for your tireless service. A little relief for your feet is just an email away. So, why wait? Act now, and bring a much-needed respite to your feet today.

Resources: