Plantar Fasciitis

[catnapper]

I found that stretches help a LOT. What I do is stand with my toes on the front of a step and lean forward. It stretches the heel and calf muscles. Its not a quick fix (or even permanent) but it helps more than I can say.

Losing weight helped the most. I have noticed since I regained 20 pounds that my feet hurt like they used to.

[chocolatepuppy]

Those stretches on steps or even on a mat at work, seem to help me a lot. I need to lose weight also. I always wear shoes, flip flops are a no-no, and even slippers with open toes are quick to cause me pain.

[Moesha]

Something that I found interesting is that tennis shoes are recommended as often as possible. Last weekend I forgot to bring my Birks to work in, but I had my tennis shoes in the car. They are not very old New Balance brand shoes. I wore them to clean two houses. After doing that, my heel was much sorer than it had been in quite awhile.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I developed some terrible plantar asciitis I thought I would never walk again.

It was right around the time we moved to SoCal. I had taken the train to LA for some classes and called my husband from the train station..."I don't think I can walk to to the train!"

I bought an ankle brace. Elastic and goes under the arch. I used it when doing Jazzercise or walking a great deal. Sometimes I would just wear it because it felt so good.

I did the exercises as well which helped....but it was really that brace that did it. It took quite a long while - but it has been at least three years since I have had ANY pain.

[Moesha]

Where did you get the brace? Was it just like a regular brace you can get in a drug store? I've been looking at some of the splints online, but those couldn't be worn to do normal activities.

[sparks19]

I have it as well.

I wear arch supports. that is my problem. I have an EXTREMELY high arch. hubby has it as well but his problem is he is flat footed so it depends on your "condition"

He had to get special orthepedic insoles and I just use the Dr scholls insoles for now.

[caseysmom]

I had it a few years ago when I voluntereed at the bingo hall, I bought some cheap rubber things for my shoes, my pain was in the heal.

I haven't had any of that pain in a few years. Another guy I volunteered with was a walking mailman, he had to have cortisone shots every so often because of his line of work, he wasn't over weight at all.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Where did you get the brace? Was it just like a regular brace you can get in a drug store? I've been looking at some of the splints online, but those couldn't be worn to do normal activities.

I got it at the drug store. Have them in black and white (to coordinate!) They are made of the same material as an Ace bandiage. Not bulky. I wore under my sock when exercising.

[boomersooner]

Going to the ortho next week because I think that is what I have, too....I already wear tennis shoes all of the time....never go barefoot....For those of you who have it.....the heel pain is located in my left heel, but I'm feeling it now in my right. Also, both feet ache with shooting pains...Is that what you all have experienced? I'm sure he'll give me exercises and such, too.

[carole]

I had this problem too ,when i started working out at a gym many years ago, well that was what the physio person told me , despite good shoes, i was in so much pain with my feet i consequently gave the gym up because of it, i don't have the same problems so much any more, but have very sore feet most of the time,but then i have fibro, so not sure which is causing what.

I have no advice except do stretches and seek physio treatment if possible.

[RICHARD]

Time wounds all heels!


Check out SPENCO inserts. I used to stand and walk at work, then played volleyball in the evenings. I had foot problems until I tried a pair of these inserts. I bought them when a salesperson recommeded them to me.

They are incredible and really make a difference- Buy the long insole with the arch support.

THEY WILL MAKE YOU FEET HURT-for the first few days. The tendons on your soles will burn! If you gradually build up your tolerance you will buy extra pairs for you other shoes.

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One thing about thongs, flip flops and sandals.

Your toes 'grab' the shoe bed as you walk. I noticed that as my birkies got worn, I had to adjust the straps every so often.

I was putting pressure across the tops of my feet and my toes were going numb.

I also had a pair of shoes that I played VB in that had the strap that went across the top of my feet, that would keep my toes from smashing into the toe of the shoe, but adjusting the strap tighter just made the problems worse.

Thick padded socks, with cushioned heels and toes, are another way to keep your feet comfortable...Good luck!


http://www.spenco.com/insoles.shtml

[Moesha]

My friend who was diagnosed with this at the end of June is better. She went to an orthopedic doctor and was given a round of steroids and a splint to wear at night. I've been doing the exercises and am still in pain. Although some days it is much better than others. I think that the vacuuming really aggravates my right foot. In trying to compensate, my left arch is now slightly sore. My friend lent me her splint to wear at night. Although I don't have the bad pain the morning that so many people mention. Mine is mostly after walking or especially working. I have thought back and I've had this heel pain for over a year. It's not always terrible. If I clean two houses in one day, that is the worst. I went to Disney back in March and it didn't hurt at all, even with walking around the parks all day every day. But it started again as soon as I got back to my routine. I don't know what I'm going to do about that. I am thinking about going to a podiatrist if this splint doesn't help in a few days. My massage therapist sister will be in town tomorrow, so I'm having her massage my back and feet for me. I wish it would go away.