CHARLOTTE – I’ve seen numerous clients who stand all day in their professions: hairstylists, landscapers, even massage therapists (!) and we all share the same problems-usually, from the waist down. Let’s start from the bottom up. Standing can affect our feet, of course, perhaps throwing in some plantar fasciitis to make us aware that our feet are tired and need a stretch. Sore feet (check the quality of your shoes) can not only come from issues with your arch, pronation (look at the bottom of your shoe, if it’s worn on the outside edge you pronate), or supination of the foot (if your ankles seem to bend inward, you supinate). I would say in my practice, nine times out of ten, your feet are only an extension of how healthy the muscles in your legs are.

Now with plantar fasciitis, we massage the calf muscles and make sure they are loose. My calves are pretty tight, primarily because I overwork them. From the calves, let’s look at the hamstrings and quads. These are your biggest and usually strongest set of muscles. This help propel you when you walk and/or run. Mine are normally tight and I have to stretch them daily (along with my calves) to keep from tightening up. When they are tight, I’ll get cramps at night or pains in my shin when I run. Stretching, warmups and hydration seem to keep them in line.

Next week we’ll look at the other musculature involved in order for you to stand.

-Lisa Lane is a licensed massage therapist in Mint Hill and has owned her massage studio for 8 years. To make an appointment, visit her website at www.ncmassagesanctuary.massagetherapy.com.