back pain from standing?

[Minnie Imagineer]

I am 17 and I work at a summer job that I am standing the entire 7 hours. During so, my middle/lower back is killing me! I am not sure if it is because I wear flip flops or because I may have back problems! This also happens when I am shopping at a mall (hence standing, walking for a long period of time). When my back does start to hurt like this, I try to leen over to stretch my back out. Is this helping? I am starting to believe it is because of my choice of shoe because if I am at wdw (i always wear sneakers) my back dosen't hurt.
Does anyone know why this is happening??

[Emme&TeddysMommy]

I would try wearing some really corfortable shoes/sneakers. Flip flops offer very poor support for your feet. Don't forget your feet are what support your whole body. I used to wear flip flops all the time and experenced the same symptoms. I began seeing a chiropractor and he told me that flip flops are not good for long peroids of time. He also told me that because flip flops have little support on all sides of your foot your body/back has to compensate for supporting your entire body. Good luck! Hope your back pain goes away soon. Have a great summer!

[Wells]

Also, do not wear Crocs! These also offer no support and, like flip-flops, you are just standing on a flat piece of rubber. I know that these are popular summer shoes, but they are very bad for your feet and lower back.....
(besides being exceptionally ulgy)

[IloveDisney71]

A doctor staying at the hotel where my DD works told her that flip-flops are leading to a lot of fallen arches (due to them having no arch support) and this is leading to a lot of lower back problems. He asked her if she wears flip-flops a lot (she does ALL THE TIME) - he looked at her feet and told her to go get some decent work shoes and decent "running around town shoes".
By the way, I've been telling her this for over a year...maybe she'll listen to him! :D

[DisneyDudet]

I, too, started getting back pain when standing, walking, and even sitting for long periods of time.

I finally decided to go to a back specialist, which thought I would benefit from physical therapy. I went and had 6 weeks of endurance training for the muscles of my back and core, and I haven't had back pain since! It turns out, that I didn't have any skeletal issues, but if I do any one thing for long periods of time, the muscles in my back would wear out, and tire. These exercises they taught me (yes, I still do some of them!), really helped, and I noticed a huge difference within weeks.

By the way, I'm 24 now, am a nurse, and ONLY wear Crocs and Flip Flops! I stand on my feet for hours on end in my crocs, and not a single problem! In fact, I have seen one of our orthopedic surgeons wearing Crocs.

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

I too stand for 4 hours when I'm at my part time job. I sit all day at the other job so it's one extreme to the other. I find wearing shoes with a small heel actually helps. And I'll bring another pair of shoes to change into part way through the night as well.

[Itchy]

I worked securtiy at a major retailer for 10.5 years and I stood on my feet for 8 + hours some days. Early on I discovered that I need a good pair of supportive shoes.

It didnt cure the whole problem but it sure helped.

A small price to pay for a little comfort.:mickey:

Good luck...

[NotaGeek]

Also, do not wear Crocs! These also offer no support and, like flip-flops, you are just standing on a flat piece of rubber. I know that these are popular summer shoes, but they are very bad for your feet and lower back.....
(besides being exceptionally ulgy)

I beg to differ on the Crocs. Yes, they are ugly, but the only shoes I have ever worn at Disney that gave me NO problems are my Crocs. I have actually read that there is nothing wrong with Crocs for standing/walking long term.

Flip flops however are really bad ... BUT I do love them. :)

[brownie]

Probably is due to wearing the flip flops. Wear shoes that have good ankle support (they'll have an insert on the back of the heel that makes it more supportive.) Your shoes should be replaced every 6 months if you wear them a lot. You might also look into exercises that will strengthen your lower back.

[AlliMo]

I am sure the flip flops are a big part of it but there is something else you can take a look at. When you are standing, take note if you are arching your lower back. The straighter you stand, the less pain you will have even after a long day. Make sure your pelvis is slightly tucked under. It also wouldn't hurt to do extra abdominal exercises too...because your stomach muscles support your back. I work at a job where I am standing for 8+ hours and I have to remind myself of these things. But they do help!

[DisneyDog]

I found this on webmd

Crocs: Healthy Shoes or Just Comfy?
Do those eye-catching shoes have a place in good foot care? Doctors and consumers share their views.
By Heather Hatfield
WebMD FeatureReviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MDCrocs -- those clog-like shoes in bright colors -- might not match everyone's idea of fashion, but fans swear by their comfort. And Croc lovers say they bring health benefits to the two extremities that carry us all to the places we go.

Are Crocs really good for our feet? WebMD got some feedback from doctors, consumers, and the shoe's creators.

A History of the Croc
Born in 2002, the shoe was initially intended as footwear for boating, with its nonslip tread and waterproof tendencies.

"The product was originally produced in Canada in clog-form," says co-founder Lyndon V. Hanson, III, vice president of Crocs. "We added a strap for utility, and gave it some flair."

Crocs are certified by the U.S. Ergonomics Council and the American Podiatric Medical Association. Hanson says that what Crocs lack in aesthetic value, they make up in therapeutic benefits. The company created what it calls an Rx line of models specifically with healthy feet in mind: Croc Relief, Croc Cloud, and Croc Silver Cloud.

"These shoes were designed specifically to eliminate plantar pain and achy feet," says Hanson. "They also help people with injured feet, bunions, and diabetes. You've got a lot of inner support, heel cups and massaging heel nubs, and arch support. They're ideal for people with foot problems."

Crocs in the Clinic
Some doctors are even recommending them to patients with foot problems.

"These shoes are especially light," says Harold Glickman, DPM, former president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). "They have huge room in the toe that affords the front part of the foot lots of room, especially for people with bone deformities like bunions and hammer toe. With the Rx Crocs, they're lined with antibacterial material that will prevent fungal and bacterial infections."

For people with diabetes, Crocs offer added value in the protection they provide. Because people with diabetes have reduced circulation in their feet, Glickman says, they're at higher risk for open sores and wound infection. The spare room and antibacterial properties of Crocs help combat these problems.

"I do not have stock in the company or work for the company, but I recommend them to patients all the time, and I wear them all the time," Glickman tells WebMD. "I wear them when I'm operating for three or four hours at a time and I get the sense I'm standing on water -- no leg pain, no back painback pain, and no arch pain."

When the temperature starts to rise and flip-flops abound, Glickman also recommends trying Crocs instead.

"Crocs offer more protection for your feet than flip-flops," says Glickman. "Flip-flops don't provide a lot of arch support; they're open-toed so you can stub your toe and hurt yourself. Crocs offer more protection and comfort than that."

[DisneyDudet]

I LOVE my Fit Flops! They even make my legs look better, too :thumbsup:

I have found that the REAL rubber flip flop,s like Havianas, are really good for the back, not the cheapo Old Navy kind. Also, Reef flip flops have an arch support, which I like.

Like I said, after physical therapy and learning the exercises, I no longer have problems with my back anymore.

[DisneyDog]

Yes, Fit Flops are great. I have a bad back and I have reduced pain when I wear mine. They are about $50 a pair, but very worth it. I do find that when I do a lot of walking, my legs get tired. So, they definitely do what they are supposed to do. When doing errands...if I wear them food shopping, I'll change my shoes before I go to the mall because my legs will be like jello by the time I'm done everything. LOL.

[SteveL]

I recently got my Crocs upon arriving at MCO.
At the end of the first night in Epcot, my feet were killing me from wearing my New Balance sneakers. I started wearing the Crocs the next day and wore them exclusively for the next seven days. We did the parks from opening to closing with EMH and my feet never ached.
While they aren't the greatest looking footwear, they are certianly comfortable.

[SBETigg]

It sounds to me that your footwear choice may not be your only problem. You may have to work at developing some core strength. If you're not a regular exerciser or even if you are somewhat fit, you may be lacking development of your muscles in that particular area. There are exercises you can do to improve your core strength, and I think you can find a number of them that don't require any special equipment in an internet search. Also, it will improve with time on your feet doing the work you do. Best wishes with feeling better!