I was wondering when this issue was finally going to arise.

Until recently, I have always had jobs that involved lots of standing in basically one place on a hard surface. You are not meant to stand in one place with your legs locked for significant amounts of time anymore than you are meant to sit in a chair for 10+ hours a day.

Now, I have not actually got around to doing this myself yet, but when I move, I plan to build a standing desk and then accompany it with a stool-chair of the appropriate height. This way you can alternate between sitting and standing as you see fit very easily.

Beyond that I guess you could strap a desk to a treadmill or just go live in the woods and stop using a computer...

I use a standing desk for probably 4-6 hours per day and am standing and moving the rest of the day. Sitting probably takes up <4h per day.

1) I keep a low stool and regular chair nearby. Propping up one foot then the other first on on the stool for a few minutes and next on the chair just to vary positions for my back, legs and ankles. I also will prop one foot, then the other foot up on the counter for a hamstring stretch.

2) Frequently, I move - a quick walk around, a couple a2g squats, quad stretches, forward stretch (just bend over, straight but not locked knees and touch the ground - hold for 30 seconds). Probably every 5 minutes, I move something.

3) muscle fatigue often (to me) means insufficient dietary potassium and magnesium. The rdi for potassium is 3500 mg and almost no one meets it. Few meet mg requirements without supplementation as well.

4) since movement is key, if your space/environment allow, a walking/treadmill desk may be more appropriate than just standing. http://rura.org/blog/2007/11/14/the-treadmill-desk-exercise-for-the-sake-of-hacking/

I bought one of those cheapie small sheepskin rugs from Ikea, and doubled-over it makes an excellent mat for my standing desk while barefoot. Plus, the texture is divine.

Also, nthing the "move around and stretch" comments.

I used to get that as a cashier, on days where I truly couldn't move because we were so busy. On days where I could move around to stock shelves, clean, etc. I felt fine.

I recommend moving frequently. It's quite easy when you're already standing. Move your legs, walk around while thinking, squat down, etc.

Fidgeting helped for me. I generally can't help myself, I'm a natural fidgetter, but I'd notice on days that I wasn't fidgetting as much because I was zonked out concentrating on something, I'd get much more sore. When I'm sitting, I jiggle my legs. The standing desk equivalent of that for me is just shifting my weight constantly from foot to foot and often I'd find myself inadvertently standing on one foot (not entirely sure where my other foot was, but it was often just sort of wandering around under my desk). So maybe consciously trying to do that would help.

The only reason I ended up giving up the desk is that I really didn't have the height right (screen too low, keyboard to high) and ended up straining my neck, but I've got a real standing desk (not the fake one I cobbled together) coming soon (according to my office manager...).

How long have you had your standing desk?

When I transitioned to a standing desk, my legs & feet killed every night (and all night) for weeks. Then gradually it went away. I did have a week off and when I came back I had a day or two of those pains again though. I also have some small issues if I wear shoes that have too much support or heel. (But I will sneak and stand around in my socks more often than not). I stand on thin office carpet and that doesn't seem to factor in, since 99% of the time the standing part doesn't bother me at all.

I've had all kinds of foot/quads/ankles/calf/etc/whatever problems over the years (and fibromyalgia, and probably sunken arches in my feet and who knows what else) but I've found something that is very beneficial to me is to change shoes, particularly in relation to heel height, throughout the day. It has a dramatic effect on my posture, and I do better with heels elevated/more weight on the ball of my foot, but that's me.

I suggest starting from the foot upwards, and try to determine the most comfortable position for your feet, and then try to find ways to vary that just slightly throughout the day. Many here suggest the heel first stepping, but I now from nearly 40 years of walking that it's the most detrimental to my foot/arch/leg/hip/etc health. Try to figure out whether your comfort zone is based on pressure in the ball and lifting on the arch/heel, or walking more flat-footed or something in between. Once you figure that out, what is right for YOU, then select some quality footware, and if my experience helps, then next try to find a few minor variations on that theme to give your feet their comfort while also some changes.

On a side note, I've known for over 10 years that my feet do best with at least a 2" heel. I've put myself through he!! the last several days working in the (wet, clay, muckety, future) garden in flat boots, which has wreaked havoc on my whole body. If you're not sure what works for you, don't exclude a lifted heel, even 2" or more from your trials. It's hard to find work boots for me without putting in lifts, but it makes a big difference.

Bottom line: we're not all the same, even if we hail from the same genetic lines. My family is all over the place with foot issues, so who knows what our ancestors dealt with.

If I had the extra cash, I'd pony up and get a kangaroo from ergodesk. You can alternate between standing and sitting with this. Plus you don't need to buy a whole new piece of furniture. http://www.ergodesktop.com/content/kangaroo-0

Just got my Kangaroo desk and its amazing. Highly recommended.