Hey...just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this and/or ideas to help it. I just got a new teaching job that is located in an elementary school with hard marble floors, rather then the carpeted floors that I'm used to in a day care center. I'm really sort of concerned about the effect it will have on joints, as in high school the floors were really tough on them. But I certainly don't want to take a job just because of that! Any thoughts, ideas, experience would be great!
Nichole:)
lot and my RA is in my feet and ankles so it is always an issue. I wear Keens
which are absolutely fabulous on hard floors. You cannot change the floor
surface but can cushion your joints with good shoes. Good luck.
[QUOTE=Nch0202]
Hey...just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this and/or ideas to help it. I just got a new teaching job that is located in an elementary school with hard marble floors, rather then the carpeted floors that I'm used to in a day care center. I'm really sort of concerned about the effect it will have on joints, as in high school the floors were really tough on them. But I certainly don't want to take a job just because of that! Any thoughts, ideas, experience would be great!
Nichole:)
[/QUOTE]
We have cement floors in the shop/lab area. Rubberized mats really help. Perhaps your school (or you) could buy a cushioned mat to place in your high-traffic area of the classroom (like in front of the chalkboard)? Many labs and pharmacies use them.
Proper fitting well cushioned shoes with plenty of toe room and arch support will more than make up for not having carpeting. Merrels , Keen, ECHO, Nike, New Balance- Thank Heavens fashion now says you don't need to cripple your feet in high heels with pointed narrow toes.
Changing shoes from day to day also makes a difference, I try not to wear same pair 2 days in a row. Shoes last longer when they dry out completely. Different pressure points in different shoes, will give your feet a chance to recover, before any one spot gets really bad. (I have not recovered over night since childhood.)
You can lecture from your desk just as well as standing up. Take advantage of that when possible.
Teaching killed my feet before I had even the slightest concern about RA. I've learned to spring for the best shoes...I get Birkenstock. It's a dent to my wallet, but my feet stopped hurting with the change.Thanks for all the tips!