If you stand all day for a living, something probably hurts by the end of it, and you’d like it to stop. I’ve been there: years on a factory floor, then 12-hour shifts in a seniors’ residence, then home to three boys. I know the feeling of not being sure whether you need socks, a brace, a new pair of shoes, or a doctor.
This page won’t diagnose anything, and neither will the rest of the site; we sell comfort products, not medical care. What it will do is tell you, in about a minute, which of the three things we make is the one for your day, and which guide to read first. Start with the question that sounds most like you.
“My legs feel heavy and my ankles swell by the end of the day”
That’s the most common complaint we hear, and the one where the fix is simplest. Standing on concrete, sitting at a desk, long drives and flights, pregnancy: they all leave legs feeling like lead by evening.
Start with: Compression socks in Canada: how to choose them and wear them right Then: Which compression level do you need? and How to measure for compression socks Shop: Compression socks · Women’s · Men’s
Not this one if: your legs bother you mostly at night, with a restless, crawling feeling and an urge to move. That’s different; read our guide on restless legs syndrome first.
“My knees ache after standing, stairs or squatting”
Knees take the hits on concrete floors and on every trip up and down the stairs. Most everyday knee pain in people who work on their feet is tired tissue, not a broken joint, and a lot of it responds to better shoes, a smarter squat and some support for the hard parts of the day.
Start with: Knee pain after a long day: everyday relief and when a knee brace can help Then: How to choose a knee brace: type, size and use Shop: Knee braces and supports
Not this one if: your knee locks, gives way, swelled up suddenly, or hurts after a fall or a twist. That’s a call to 811 or a visit, not a purchase.
“My lower back is sore from lifting and standing”
Lifting, bending, transfers, carrying: the lower back pays for all of it. The good news is that most of it eases with movement and better lifting; a support belt helps for the heavy parts of your shift.
Start with: Lower back pain after lifting and standing: everyday relief and when a back support belt helps Then: How to choose a back brace: support, size and wear time Shop: Back braces and support belts
Not this one if: your back pain comes with numbness around the groin, weakness in your legs, or trouble with your bladder or bowel. That’s 911, today.
More than one of the above?
Very common. A 12-hour shift on your feet tends to hit legs, knees and back together. If you’re choosing one thing to start with, start with the socks: they’re the cheapest, the easiest to get right, and the one most people feel on day one. Then read the knee or back guide for whichever is loudest. If you work 12-hour shifts, that usually means all three eventually; buy them in that order.
Not sure it’s something a product should fix?
Good instinct. Every guide on this site has a “when to see someone” section, and this page tells you who to call in your province: When to call 811, when to call 911, and when to ask your pharmacist. Please also read our health disclaimer.