Why do my legs hurt after a 12-hour shift?

Leyden believes that "most of the time we begin to experience aches and tired muscles when standing for long periods of time because our muscles are not strong and resilient enough to handle the stress of 12-hour shifts. This is particularly true for the feet."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on onwardhealthcare.com


How can I strengthen my feet after a 12-hour shift?

Being on your feet on a 12-hour shift can take a toll on even the cheeriest nurses.
...
5 Tips for Achy Feet On a Long Shift
  1. Wear the right shoes. ...
  2. Add support to your shoes. ...
  3. Clean feet and fresh shoes. ...
  4. Compression socks. ...
  5. Health tricks.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on florence.co.uk


How do I stop my legs from hurting after work?

7 TIPS FOR CARING FOR YOUR LEGS AND FEET
  1. 1) Foam roll or tennis ball. You can bring a tennis ball with you to work or keep it stashed in your living room at home. ...
  2. 2) Stretch. ...
  3. 3) Elevate your feet. ...
  4. 4) Invert your body. ...
  5. 5) Compress your calves. ...
  6. 6) Soak your feet. ...
  7. 7) Get a massage.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lispine.com


Why are my legs sore after a long shift?

If so, are your legs and feet tired and achy after a long shift? While it may seem normal to have leg fatigue, swelling, and discomfort after standing all day, your body could be alerting you to the risk of venous disease. This can lead to lymphedema (chronic leg swelling), bulging varicose veins, and even blood clots.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on veinspecialists.com


Why do I get cramps in my legs after night shift?

Leg cramps at night, or nocturnal leg cramps, are common and can occur due to inactivity during the day, tired muscles, or certain medical conditions. Leg cramps, also called charley horses, are uncontrolled spasms in the muscles of the leg that may be painful.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


TIPS FOR 12 HOUR SHIFTS!



What drink stops leg cramps?

Drink plenty of fluids. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade, will often help leg cramps.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on peacehealth.org


Does drinking water before bed prevent leg cramps?

It's been suggested that drinking 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water before bedtime can prevent leg cramps at night. Is that true? A. Tonic water—and the quinine it contains—have been promoted for preventing leg cramps for decades despite the lack of evidence that they are effective.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu


Do your legs get used to standing all day?

You may have already realized that after a long day of standing, your legs and feet can become swollen and fatigued, or your back may begin to hurt. This is because your body is being strained by remaining in an upright position for a long duration of time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on spineandposture.com


How do you recover from a long shift?

There are small steps you can take to ensure your body relaxes, giving you the best night's rest possible.
  1. Listen to some relaxing music. Most people enjoy listening to music, but many don't realise the positive cognitive effects it can have. ...
  2. Have a long shower or bath. ...
  3. Eat healthily. ...
  4. Read a book. ...
  5. Sleep.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on kareplus.co.uk


Why do my legs ache by the end of the day?

Vein issues

This means the veins aren't working as well as they should, so over the course of the day, the pressure in your leg can increase from leaky valves or weakened vein walls. This creates an aching pain and heavy feeling in your legs, which worsens at night after a day spent mostly on your feet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thefeetpeople.com.au


How do you get rid of achy legs?

Home Care
  1. Rest as much as possible.
  2. Elevate your leg.
  3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
  4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
  5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov


How do you rest tired legs?

5. RICE method
  1. Rest. Take a break and rest your legs. Let your body recover.
  2. Ice. You can ice your legs or soak them in ice water for 20 minutes at a time. ...
  3. Compression. Wrap your legs in a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
  4. Elevation. Keep your legs raised with some pillows to reduce any swelling or discomfort.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Why are my legs aching so much?

Most leg pain results from wear and tear, overuse, or injuries in joints or bones or in muscles, ligaments, tendons or other soft tissues. Some types of leg pain can be traced to problems in your lower spine. Leg pain can also be caused by blood clots, varicose veins or poor circulation.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


How do people survive a 12-hour shift with little sleep?

Tips for staying awake and alert during your shift
  1. Nap. Take a 30 minute nap before your shift begins and, if possible, try to get in a few 10-20 minute naps throughout the night. ...
  2. Eat small portions throughout the shift. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Chat with your co-workers. ...
  5. Be careful with your caffeine intake.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nursingtimes.net


Should your feet hurt after a 12-hour shift?

You might just think your feet or legs hurt after working that 12-hour shift, but it is a fact.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on massnurses.org


How do nurses prevent leg pain?

Since nurses work in a fast-paced environment with minimal breaks or sitting time, something else nurses may want to consider are compression socks (or stockings), which have proven successful in helping prevent stiff, sore legs and feet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on consultqd.clevelandclinic.org


Are 12-hour shifts too long?

When you work a 12-hour shift, there are potential concerns for your health and well-being. According to the National Institute of Health, long shifts are associated with medical issues such as obesity, sleep disorders and chronic fatigue.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on business.com


Is working 12 hours a day too much?

Working excessively long days is harmful for your health. Numerous productivity studies have found that overworking leads to sleep deprivation, depression, impaired memory, drinking problems and health concerns including diabetes and heart disease.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on entrepreneur.com


Are 12-hour shifts better than 8?

According to Circadian.com, extra rest and recovery time allows you to return to work refreshed and be more productive. In addition, 12-hour shifts allow more time to complete lengthy tasks, which can help you feel satisfied with the amount of work you accomplish at the end of the workday.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on workatdrylock.com


How do you stand 8 hours without pain?

7 tips for prolonged standing
  1. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with a low heel. ...
  2. Wear support hose or socks. ...
  3. Wear a lumbar support belt and strengthen your abs. ...
  4. Maintain good posture. ...
  5. Move around to aid in circulation. ...
  6. Stay well hydrated. ...
  7. Ergonomic aids.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on scrubbing.in


How many hours a day should you be on your feet?

The magic number is two hours of standing or moving around instead of sitting per day, University of Queensland researchers say.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on globalnews.ca


How can I stand all day without pain?

Chloe Aguilar, a Salem Health physical therapist, shares these tips to make working on your feet easier.
  1. Wear good shoes. If there's anything you should be spending a lot of money on it's a good shoe. ...
  2. Use good posture at work. Don't lock your knees when standing. ...
  3. Move at work. These simple maneuvers can help.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on salemhealth.org


Do bananas help with leg cramps?

Bananas: A Time-Tested Treatment

You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


Does dehydration make your legs hurt?

You may particularly experience leg cramps in your calf muscles and thigh muscles. You may also have involuntary contractions like muscle spasms. Dehydration also decreases blood volume. That means your muscles and organs have less blood flow, resulting in cramps and spasms.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dripdrop.com


What is the best vitamin for leg cramps?

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and is essential for regulating your body's functioning. It's involved in more than 300 of your body's biochemical processes, including muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Magnesium is a widely used remedy for leg cramps.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com
Previous question
Which is the Apple key?