Who has plantar fasciitis? ugh

MissConfidence

Interesting. I'll give this a try^^

johnwhitent

This is a great thread. I've been having foot pain for a few months now and didn't know what it was or how to describe it. I'm still not 100 percent sure I have PF (haven't seen a doc to get diagnosed) but from the research I've done on my own I'm pretty sure... A lot of great advise is offered here and I will personally take better care of my feet especially the stretching and taking anti inflammatories. I don't want to wear special shoes because I would like to solve this and still be able to walk barefoot without the pain. So it's a learning game of what works for everyone individually... Best of luck to everyone, and to the OP I'd like to hear what you've tried so far and how you're coming along.

Maybe you will prove to be different, but it was my experience that going barefoot was a big no-no when I had pf. You need constant arch support in order for it to heal. Otherwise, it will just keep stretching/tearing. I wish you the best of luck in your healing! It is a slow process.

Absolutely agree! My podiatrist told me to never ever go barefooted. And his advice has proven to be correct. I grew up going barefooted and love it around the house, but I just can’t do it unless I am willing endure PF pain. Sorry, I hate it, but barefoot’n is a major contributor to PF.

tammykoon

I have an odd suggestion, but I explain why I offer it first. My husband suffered with this for very long time and was getting ready to go ahead with having surgury when a friend made the following suggestion.

Keep 2 cans of food by your bed and anywhere you will be sitting for an extended period of time. Before you put any pressure on your feet roll them across the cans (like a "log roller") for at least 30 seconds, a minute is best. Once the muscle is warmed up you can get up with out ripping anything.

When you are off your feet the muscle contracts and when you stand it stretches, and rips. By warming and stretching them without weight you rip less each time you get up.

My husband did this for a month and it worked for him. Worse case scenerio you lose a couple cans of veggies. lol

Hope you feel better soon.

knittnponder

Stretching is the main thing. Do the stretches before getting out of bed or after having sat for any period of time. When you have been still the muscles will tighten up and if you step down you run the risk of creating a tear along the bottom of your foot.

Stretches I do that allowed mine to heal (and I continue to do them to prevent re-injury):

1. In a seated position put the ankle of the injured foot on top of the other knee. Using your hand, gently bend the toes back to stretch the bottom of the foot. Hold the stretch for 10 seconds then release. Rest for 5 seconds between stretches, repeat the sequence 10 times.

2. Calf stretching: Use the wall to flex the foot upward and stretch the calves. Another good calf stretch is to stand on a step on the balls of your feet with your heels off the step. Slowly drop the heels below the step to stretch the calves. Be gentle with this one so you don't hurt yourself. Repeat several times.

3. Rotate the foot clockwise 20 times, then counterclockwise 20 times. You can also write the ABC's in the air with your toes in place of the circles.

4. Point and flex the foot 10 times.

The first stretch is the one I do before getting out of bed. The others are once a day (more if I've worked out or they just feel tight.) Be gentle!!

I am still able to do taekwondo barefoot, though for awhile I had to do a taping job on my foot with athletic tape to support the arch. Now it's healed enough that I don't need it. My desire was to heal the issue, not simply mask the problem with inserts and orthotics (especially since I do taekwondo barefoot and can't wear them for that!) These stretches have done that for me but you have to be faithful to do them. Especially before getting out of bed in the morning!

TrainingWithTonya

Deep tissue massage. It will hurt like hell while you have having it done, but afterwards, it is amazing how much the pain goes away. I use to have it bad and then my kinesiology professor did one session of deep tissue massage on my feet and I've not had another episode of it in a year and a half.

alimac92

I get this problem too. I was told by the doctor they can give a very painfull injection into the heel. (I think its cortisone ??)
Being a chicken I didn't take them up on that kind offer. :laugh:

I used the anti inflammatory tablets which helped.
I've found since wearing "Fit Flop" Boots over the winter and my toepost sandals over the summer I haven't had the problem resurface this year.

I'm thinking of getting the trainers too, but they are really ugly ha ha.
There seems to be lots of work out shoe brands out there perhaps you will find one that alleviates your problem too.

Take care! :flowerforyou: