Why chiropractic stands out as treatment for those who spend a lot of time on their feet

You have probably heard the expression, “sitting is the new smoking”? If that’s true, then “standing is the new vaping”. How so? While vaping is not considered as damaging as smoking, it still can present health issues. And for those who have to stand on the job, standing can cause as much damage as sitting does for those with desk jobs.

“In both cases, it’s all about posture. You want to stand up straight. Over the course of the day while standing, we tend to get tired and that can lead to some bad habits that can create some issues. If not addressed, these issues can snowball into something debilitating,” said Dr. David Dwyer, president of Chiropractic Society of Rhode Island and a chiropractor at Toll Gate Chiropractic in Warwick and Wakefield, Rhode Island.

For those who spend long periods on their day standing, Dr. Dwyer recommends several standing techniques, including keeping most of your weight on the balls of your feet; standing with your feet approximately shoulder width-apart and your knees slightly bent; and letting your arms hang loose and naturally at your sides.

“The best posture is to stand up straight and tall and your shoulders pulled slightly back, neck long, and chin lifted just a bit,” said Dr. Dwyer. “You want to make sure to keep your core engaged and tight, while also keeping your head level with your earlobes in line with your shoulders. Try to avoid pushing your head forward, backward, or sideways.”

If you are standing for long period of time, Dr. Dwyer also advises shifting your weight from your toes to your heels and from one foot to another.

“Of course, footwear is tremendously important for people who are on their feet a lot,” said Dr. Dwyer. “You want to find shoes that support the three arches in your foot: the medial and longitudinal arches and the transverse arch. Also, pick a shoe that fits your foot comfortably and is the proper length and width. Very few people realize that their feet expand with aging as the arch collapses.” 

Said Dr. Dwyer, “Regular chiropractic adjustments, coupled with the right posture and footwear, can mitigate the impact of being on your feet all day. When you consider the great number of work days lost to back pain—and the amount of standing we do in our non-work lives--chiropractic treatment is really a great investment in your long-term well-being.”

To find a chiropractor in Rhode Island, you can go to www.richiro.org.