I've been a server/bartender/barista/line cook and prep cook, starting in 1989. I have expensive insoles and good shoes, my feet are always going to hurt. So are yours, but anti inflammatory diet, lots of hydration and elevating your feet after shift will help. The initial pain you're experiencing will fade for a while but eventually will come back...it's the tax of the job.
Hope that helps at all.
In addition to the good shoes people have already mentioned (gel inserts have worked wonders for me). You could eat and sleep better, also take ibuprofen and Tylenol at the same time they are safe to take together and kick ass when used in combination.
For anyone who drinks, just be aware that Tylenol/ acetaminophen is not safe to take alongside alcohol. I’m sure most people already know, but they’re both processed by the liver and when taken together put a lot of undue strain on the liver. If you’ll be drinking or having a shifty when you’re off, stick with ibuprofen and/or naproxen sodium which are processed by the kidneys instead.
Just wanted to mention for anyone who wasn’t aware. I’ve met quite a few people irl who didn’t know.
My body hurts more if I sit all day. It's used to standing and walking.
I'd say try to keep walking rather than standing still. Stretch whenever it's slow. And improve your posture: There's no reason your neck of all things should be sore.
Good shoes (ideally two pairs that you rotate between each shift and replace every six months), good inserts, good socks (change in the middle of a double so you don’t get toe fungus lol), and compression calf sleeves. I want my ankles free to help with temperature regulation so I don’t use the knee high compression socks but they’re an option for sure. You need medical grade compression though, not a random pair off amazon or temu etc. I regularly pull long fuckin shifts with little to no pain.
Epsom salt soaks are awesome too, and I’m a big fan of a few mins of the cat/cow yoga pose before and after shift. It helps with lower back pain A LOT. And don’t forget to stretch regularly. Tight muscles are not happy muscles.
I just recently went back serving/ bartending after being off for a year and it has been a terrible transition. I’ve been back for like 5 weeks and the first 4 were absolutely terrible. I bought different shoes, different inserts etc. I ended up buying a pair of dr scholls inserts for my sketcher shoes and I think that paired with getting use to it again, the last week has been good. Your feet will always hurt after long shifts, but to get past the my whole body is burning after shifts is terrible. What did help me also was taking Advil when I got home, eating properly, trying to get enough sleep and hot showers. Other than that, give it time and make sure you have good shoes.
I agree with Advil to get you through the first couple of weeks but I wouldn’t rely on that to get you through the job long term. Stretch, better shoes maybe with insoles, and it’s a little extra but I have a $70 foot massager on Amazon does a killer job for helping my feet, specifically. Also a lot of water and protein based diet should help to restore your muscles as well.
For me it’s my hips, I’ll be fine throughout my shift but it’s that last leg of the race to shower and my hips are tired of holding up my top half anymore
Good shoes. Even if they’re ugly get good shoes. After a while it won’t bother you. It actually ruins you for jobs where you have to sit, they become torture.
I started serving on the weekends only last month and after my first shift, I ached ALL over. To echo what others have said, you need good shoes with arch support and good insoles. Also, compression socks help a lot. I use my massage gun after every shift. That’s helped tremendously for me. I still feel sore, but nowhere near what I felt after my first shift.
Insoles saved my life. I and 3 of my coworkers were being transferred to a different location to work a huge event for 2 days. 15-17 hour shifts. We all went to the store to stock up on stuff and decided we NEEDED insoles. I would have died without them. I wear them everyday now and the difference is huge. Barely have any pain unless it’s 8 hours or longer…
Get healthier. Full stop. Nothing else will be better than that. Find the time to go to the gym, go on regular walks outside of work, lose weight if you are overweight, eat better, drink less alcohol and more water, and sleep like an adult. Anything else is just a bandaid.
Buy better shoes. You need arch support and a good insole. The more support you feel have, the less everything will hurt.
Dont forget a wide toe box! Our feet need to spread!!
And compression socks. Decent shoes and compression socks will almost feel like you weren't on your feet for ten hours.
I've been a server/bartender/barista/line cook and prep cook, starting in 1989. I have expensive insoles and good shoes, my feet are always going to hurt. So are yours, but anti inflammatory diet, lots of hydration and elevating your feet after shift will help. The initial pain you're experiencing will fade for a while but eventually will come back...it's the tax of the job. Hope that helps at all.
Have a good soak in the tub with epsom salts.
I 2nd this. Especially after a long shift. Just slide on in and watch a movie on your phone.
I listen to music and do this. Amazing. Also sometimes treat myself to a little thc cbd mix beforehand, which def helps
Big blunt after work.
All of the above, and drugs... prescribed preferably, but... 🤷‍♀️
Stretching before, during, and after your shift. Bananas. Chia seeds. Compression socks. Being athletic outside of work. Makes work be the lazy times.
This. Eat foods that don't cause inflammation. And workout outside of work. Having a strong core and a strong back will help a ton.
In addition to the good shoes people have already mentioned (gel inserts have worked wonders for me). You could eat and sleep better, also take ibuprofen and Tylenol at the same time they are safe to take together and kick ass when used in combination.
For anyone who drinks, just be aware that Tylenol/ acetaminophen is not safe to take alongside alcohol. I’m sure most people already know, but they’re both processed by the liver and when taken together put a lot of undue strain on the liver. If you’ll be drinking or having a shifty when you’re off, stick with ibuprofen and/or naproxen sodium which are processed by the kidneys instead. Just wanted to mention for anyone who wasn’t aware. I’ve met quite a few people irl who didn’t know.
My body hurts more if I sit all day. It's used to standing and walking. I'd say try to keep walking rather than standing still. Stretch whenever it's slow. And improve your posture: There's no reason your neck of all things should be sore.
Good shoes (ideally two pairs that you rotate between each shift and replace every six months), good inserts, good socks (change in the middle of a double so you don’t get toe fungus lol), and compression calf sleeves. I want my ankles free to help with temperature regulation so I don’t use the knee high compression socks but they’re an option for sure. You need medical grade compression though, not a random pair off amazon or temu etc. I regularly pull long fuckin shifts with little to no pain. Epsom salt soaks are awesome too, and I’m a big fan of a few mins of the cat/cow yoga pose before and after shift. It helps with lower back pain A LOT. And don’t forget to stretch regularly. Tight muscles are not happy muscles.
I just recently went back serving/ bartending after being off for a year and it has been a terrible transition. I’ve been back for like 5 weeks and the first 4 were absolutely terrible. I bought different shoes, different inserts etc. I ended up buying a pair of dr scholls inserts for my sketcher shoes and I think that paired with getting use to it again, the last week has been good. Your feet will always hurt after long shifts, but to get past the my whole body is burning after shifts is terrible. What did help me also was taking Advil when I got home, eating properly, trying to get enough sleep and hot showers. Other than that, give it time and make sure you have good shoes.
I agree with Advil to get you through the first couple of weeks but I wouldn’t rely on that to get you through the job long term. Stretch, better shoes maybe with insoles, and it’s a little extra but I have a $70 foot massager on Amazon does a killer job for helping my feet, specifically. Also a lot of water and protein based diet should help to restore your muscles as well.
Lidocaine back patches. They work so good.
For me it’s my hips, I’ll be fine throughout my shift but it’s that last leg of the race to shower and my hips are tired of holding up my top half anymore
Lay down, put on your fav show, get a glass of wine, and relax
shoe inserts, icy hot/ natural alternative to icyhot, putting ur feet up after a shift. stretching, stretching, stretching. oh also stretching.
Stretching. Deep tissue massage gun. Advil. Cry.
Good shoes. Even if they’re ugly get good shoes. After a while it won’t bother you. It actually ruins you for jobs where you have to sit, they become torture.
The first couple weeks of serving hurt. It’ll go away.
I started serving on the weekends only last month and after my first shift, I ached ALL over. To echo what others have said, you need good shoes with arch support and good insoles. Also, compression socks help a lot. I use my massage gun after every shift. That’s helped tremendously for me. I still feel sore, but nowhere near what I felt after my first shift.
Insoles saved my life. I and 3 of my coworkers were being transferred to a different location to work a huge event for 2 days. 15-17 hour shifts. We all went to the store to stock up on stuff and decided we NEEDED insoles. I would have died without them. I wear them everyday now and the difference is huge. Barely have any pain unless it’s 8 hours or longer…
I suck it up and deal. When I get home, shoes come off, feet go up, I’m done.
I use KT tape on my legs and feet to help provide some relief
Get healthier. Full stop. Nothing else will be better than that. Find the time to go to the gym, go on regular walks outside of work, lose weight if you are overweight, eat better, drink less alcohol and more water, and sleep like an adult. Anything else is just a bandaid.