Do You Need A Firm Or Soft Mat?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 36 million Americans who suffer from arthritis and an even more staggering number (65 million) who say they suffer from back pain. There are a multitude of reasons why an individual can be afflicted by arthritis and sometimes pain is just a part of life—especially after rigorous activities that aren’t common place. However, if you’re suffering from aching feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, lower back—if your posture is suffering—if pain and discomfort have just become a daily routine, then maybe you need to take a better look at your flooring.

Soft flooring can offer a more supportive surface to stand on than hardwood, tile, and linoleum. In the workplace, a soft mat can provide necessary added comfort to help combat the strain of standing on a hard concrete floor. In 2004 a study was conducted and published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. Researchers set out to test flooring conditions to see if they correlated with worker comfort. Using assembly line workers, who spent 8-hour shifts on their feet, the researchers tested out 3 different flooring options. What they found was that the use of anti-fatigue floor mats provided more comfort and less fatigue. This is very compelling research, but when it comes to individual needs how do you know which is the best anti-fatigue mat for you?

There are many questions you can ask yourself to try and figure it out. But what it really comes down to is the amount of movement you do while you’re on your feet. Someone, in an assembly line, who stands in a single position would benefit from a soft mat, while someone, like a waiter, who gets to walk around, may be better served by something firmer.

So how do you decide which is the best anti-fatigue mat for you? Let’s break it down:

• A Soft Mat
  Here is a list of problems that can be caused by prolonged standing:

  • Poor Posture (which can lead to other back problems)

  • Swollen/Painful Feet or Legs

  • Bunions

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Heel Spurs

  • Achilles Tendinitis

  • Increased Risk of Knee Or Hip Arthritis

  • Muscle Soreness and Fatigue

  • Knee Problems

  • Varicos Veins

  • Lower Back Pain

  • Neck and shoulder Stiffness and Pain

  • Metatarsalgia (also known as stone bruise)

  A big problem with prolonged standing is that blood vessels in our feet will get crushed. Without the constant movement of walking, or without being able to sit and take some weight off our feet, these blood vessels become constricted and that’s a big reason why we experience pain and swelling. This is particularly unique to individuals who have to stand in a single place for a long time—like grocery store clerks, assembly line workers, and even surgeons. Stephanie Camillo, author of Standing on the Job? 10 Ways to Reduce Back Pain, states that “just because your standing on two feet, doesn’t mean you have to keep still. Shifting your weight, lifting your heels, moving from side to side on your toes, all of these things help improve the blood flow and circulation in the bottom of your legs. Improved circulation will release tension where we hold it the most-our backs.” Doctors agree with Camillo, and even suggest taking small breaks to stretch, to walk, and to rest your feet.

  Having soft flooring will also help. In this case a softer and more elastic surface means that your body will have an easier time pushing back against the ground. Swaying, wiggling your toes, taking small steps, all of this will be easier because you’ll have a surface that bounces back and supports your movements rather than something hard and completely unforgiving like concrete.

• A Firm Mat
  

  Being on your feet all day is bound to hurt, even if you follow the advice of countless medical professionals and take breaks to stretch and move around. In fact, some jobs may even require that you move around. Consider waiters, fitness trainers, nurses, and teachers—just to name a few. These are positions that require standing and also moving. Being able to move, specifically to walk, means that your feet aren’t constantly pressing down against the surface below, which offers tiny but useful breaks for the blood vessels in your feet and legs. This overall movement can help circulation, but won’t do much to take away the ache of that is bound to develop from being on your feet for prolonged periods of time. A contributor on ezWalker.com says: “[foot] arches act as shock absorbers, providing strength and stability. When our arches stop working due to overuse, poor foot position, or flat feet, the joints in our body can become stiff, leading to tendon and ligament damage. The muscles then become stressed and strained from holding you upright for so long without rest – making you more vulnerable to injury.” While standing can be uncomfortable, the constant movement of walking can put a lot of strain on foot arches—walking on concrete for example has been compared to having a hammer strike at the soles of your feet with each step you take! While you wont need the cushy provisions of an overly soft surface—firm anti-fatigue floor mats will provide a controlled level of elasticity and support. Having all encompassing soft flooring is a great way to afford employees, customers, and loved ones with a resilient and supportive surface that wont be so hard on feet.

So we’ve talked about how useful a cushy soft mat can be for prolonged standing and why firmer anti-fatigue floor mats may be a better choice for those who move a lot. Picking the best anti-fatigue mat for your particular needs doesn’t have to be hard—armed with the right knowledge we’re certain you’ll make the perfect choice!