Industries With Highest Rates of Foot Pain

Foot pain is a prevalent issue. In a new survey of 1,000 Americans, sponsored by KURU Footwear, 44% said they currently experience chronic, ongoing foot pain.

Foot Pain by the Numbers

When asked how often the pain strikes, the answers were as follows:

• 56% experience foot pain daily
• 24% feel it less than once a week
• 15% deal with it weekly
• 3% say it hits monthly
• 2% experience it constantly with no relief

Here's how respondents described the intensity of their pain:

• • 61% say it’s moderate and occasionally disrupts their day
  • 20% call it mild but annoying
  • 18% say it’s severe

Foot Pain on the Clock

When foot pain strikes, here’s how it affects people at work:

• 20% take more breaks than usual because of foot pain
• 18% take medication before or during work
• 16% have visited a medical provider
• 15% have avoided certain tasks
• 12% wear orthopedic or medical footwear
• 9% have left work early
• 7% have missed work entirely

When asked what’s behind the pain, many pointed to their jobs:

• 33% believe their foot pain was caused by their job
• 32% say it wasn’t caused by work
• 28% aren’t sure
• 7% say “somewhat”

And for many, work makes things worse. In fact:

• 62% say their pain is worsened by their job
• 17% aren’t sure
• 13% say it isn’t
• 8% say “somewhat”

The impact goes beyond the workday. Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) of those with foot pain have filed a workers’ compensation claim related to their condition. And for some, it’s career-altering:

• 48% have considered changing jobs or roles to reduce their foot pain
• 24% believe their job has permanently damaged their feet
• 8% already have

The survey named the industries that experience the most pain.