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Spent 8 years hammering hot steel on a concrete floor before a visiting smith pointed out my back problems were from the shock coming up through my legs.
He told me to stand on a thick rubber mat instead and within two weeks the pain in my lower back that I thought was just part of getting older was basically gone has anyone else had a simple shop fix like that change how they work?
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abby_scott1mo ago
Did you also swap out your shoes when you switched to the mat, or was the mat the only thing you changed? I ask because I think the shoe thing might be getting overlooked here. If you were standing on concrete for eight years in boots with zero shock absorption, your spine was taking all that impact directly. A mat helps, sure, but if your footwear is still basically a hard leather sole with no give, you might just be trading one problem for a slightly smaller one. I had a similar issue when I was doing metal fab work for a while, and the combo of a mat with those squishy gel insoles made a way bigger difference than either one alone. Just something to check, because that dull ache that travels up your back might have more to do with your feet hitting the ground like bricks than the concrete itself.
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Oh man, I'm glad that worked for you but I gotta gently push back on one thing. The rubber mat helps, sure, but it's not just about the shock coming up through your legs. Standing on concrete for 8 hours straight is brutal on your lower back regardless of the mat. The real issue is your body is locked in one position all day with no give in the surface. A mat gives your feet and spine some natural movement and that alone can relieve a lot of pressure. It's not a magic fix for everyone either. Some people need better shoes or a combination of things. But hey, if it worked for you that's what matters.
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