New Job Soreness
 

Last week I started as a cashier at a grocery store. My shifts are 4-6 hours long. I get a 15-20 min break which is the only time I get to sit and have a drink. By the time I make the 8 minute drive home, I can barely get out of the car b/c I am so sore and stiff. Then I sit through dinner and it just gets worse. Between the standing on bad flooring for so long plus the lifting of gallon jugs plus cases of beer and water...my poor body can't take it. I come home and pop two motrin, but it just takes the edge off. I wake at least once during the night in pain. I am over tired and sad/grumpy from pain. Is there anything I can do? I do try to stretch and move around instead of just standing in one place. I try to hydrate before and after my shift. I'm just tapped out on ideas and too tired to think much about it. Any help is appreciated.

Re: New Job Soreness
 

When I used to waitress, I found it really helpful to rotate between two different styles of very supportive shoes.

Work hard on posture and do gentle stretches reaching for your toes and breathing slow and deep. Oh, I used a chair pad massage thing a few years back when I was in college and it was a big help.

Epsom salt baths, or even a magnesium oil spray.

Re: New Job Soreness
 

If you can do stretches before and after work, as well as your days off it will help your body get more used to it. I find sitting after heavy activity prolongs the pain and even something like stopping at the store and walking around a bit rather than just driving straight home after a 10+ mile bike ride can really reduce the stiffness. And if I plop in a chair when I get home vs keep moving slowly I will be more stiff than if I slowly wind down.

If certain areas are hurting more, look up stretches for those. A heating pad can be helpful as well.


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Re: New Job Soreness
 

I would seek a physical therapist. They have been invaluable for me on a few different occasions. It could be that certain muscles are too weak or inflexible. But, you need a professional to know which ones! They can tell you exactly what to do to actually help reduce the pain you get.

Re: New Job Soreness
 

Are you allowed to have a water bottle by you during your shift? It seems as if hydration might also help alleviate some of that. :think

Re: New Job Soreness
 

Gentle movement helps a ton.

Compression socks make a huge difference for me when I have hours of standing at work. I like these: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...pression+socks

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Oh and taking curcumin!

Re: New Job Soreness
 

Thanks ladies. It seems like the truth of it is to suck it up buttercup. It has been a long, rough weekend, but once you are strapped into the roller coaster seat, there is no getting off.

Re: New Job Soreness
 

Using muscles in new ways or much more than they are used to will definitely lead to soreness, and unlike in a sport where you can ease into it, you are stuck doing your job the whole time.

Your body will adjust, and probably quicker than you think :hug However, it would be good to look into the preventive things mentioned above. Be aware of your posture, have good shoes, gently stretch afterwards and do gentle movement afterwards. The problem could come over time if because of soreness you alter your posture and use your body in an inefficient way because you are trying to avoid using the muscles that are sore. Repetitive motion, especially poorly aligned repetitive motion, can lead to injuries. Ice can reduce inflammation and heat (Epsom salt baths!) can help relax aching muscles. Hopefully your body will adjust quickly :hug

Re: New Job Soreness
 

Are you standing in one spot for a long time? Or do you get to do some walking? Try to move if you can. If you can take a quick walk around the store, or even just shifting weight between feet, marching in place when you have a sec, etc.

Also I would ask your coworkers.

Arnica could help, too.

And some of it will just be time and your body adjusting to it.

:hug

Re: New Job Soreness
 

For me, as a teacher, having really good shoes is the key to avoiding the soreness that comes spending a lot of time standing and walking around. The days I wear shoes that are cute but not good, my whole body aches after. Having a hot bath with epsom salts has also been really good about targeting potential aches and pains before they have a chance to really start.

Re: New Job Soreness
 

I would not say to suck it up. I believe in listening to your body with regard to pain. It probably won't get better on its own.
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Re: New Job Soreness
 

This has got to be something your employer is aware of. Surely they could provide cushioned mats to stand on, and other advice.

I sometimes shop at Wegmans, and I notice their cashiers have a poster at the cash register with stretches they're supposed to do every 15-30 min or so.

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Re: New Job Soreness
 

How are you doing this week?