The Impact of Prolonged Standing (and How Registered Massage Therapy Can Help!)

By: Eric Becher | Registered Massage Therapist | @ericb.rmt

Whether you’re on your feet all day at work, running errands, or enjoying your favorite hobbies, prolonged standing can take a serious toll on your body. While staying active is important for our health, standing for long hours can lead to physical issues that are often overlooked — issues that can seriously impact your comfort and well-being.

As a registered massage therapist, I’ve seen firsthand how the body responds to long periods of standing, and I want to share how massage therapy can help relieve these common aches and pains.

How Prolonged Standing Affects Your Body

When you stand for extended periods, certain muscle groups — especially in your calves, feet, lower back, and legs — are under constant pressure. Over time, this can lead to;

• Muscle Fatigue or Soreness: Overworked muscles in your feet, legs, and lower back can lead to stiffness and discomfort.
• Swelling in Feet and Legs: Poor circulation from standing for hours can cause fluid retention, leading to swelling.
• Plantar Fasciitis: Continuous pressure on your soles can inflame the plantar fascia, causing sharp pain in the heels.
• Lower Back Pain: Standing puts strain on your lower back and spine, often leading to long-term discomfort if left unaddressed.

How Massage Therapy Can Help

As most of us know all too well, we can caught up in the demands of daily life, pushing through the aches and pains without realizing the long-term damage. But taking time for regular massage therapy can be a game-changer. Here’s how massage can help;

• Reduce Muscle Tension: Massage helps loosen tight muscles and alleviate soreness, leaving you feeling more relaxed and less stiff.
• Boost Circulation: Standing for long hours can slow circulation, but massage promotes better blood flow, helping to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Promote Relaxation & Mental Well-being: Beyond physical relief, massage helps reduce stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue, helping you feel refreshed and balanced.
• Alleviate Chronic Pain: Whether it’s lower back pain, neck tension, or headaches, massage therapy can significantly ease the discomfort that comes with standing all day.
• Improve Posture: Regular massage can help correct postural imbalances, relieving the strain on muscles and joints, and helping you stand taller and feel more aligned.

As someone who spends a lot of time on my feet — whether massaging clients, bartending, or working out — I’ve found that regular massage therapy is essential to keeping my body feeling strong and relaxed. It helps me recover from the wear and tear of being on my feet all day so I can recover from multiple days on my feet quicker.

No matter what your daily routine looks like, standing for long periods can eventually lead to discomfort. But with a bit of care you can help your body recover quicker and feel better. It’s all about finding the right balance for your health and well-being.