Heel pain/Plantar Fasciitis - Home cure suggestions

I had a similar problem last year. I stayed away from the gym for a little while and then went to a specialty running store and got fitted for an awesome pair of new gym shoes. My feet felt a billion times better, and I haven't had any problems since. Good luck!

I had it for a couple of years. I went to the store and got some Asics for working out but that still wasnt enough. I went to our local cobbler (yeah we still have one of those lol) and he got me some Sole moldable inserts. we got them fitted and along with some stretching exercises I didnt suffer for over a year. I am starting to notice it a bit again though and it is time for new shoes and inserts (been 2 years) and the combined weight...good luck!!

I've had this before. The things I found that helped the most were:
* Stretching out my calves. The simplest exercise for this is to stand on the edge of a step, toes forward, and dip your heels down until you feel the stretch. This is a good preventative exercise for the future
* Rolling a golf ball around with my foot (or something similar). This one helped with the pain in the arch of my foot - sort of like a massage
* Wearing high heels. It was the physio who actually recommended this me. Don't go mental and wear massive silly heels, but the angle at which they put your helps ease the pain in while you have the problem

Then of course make sure you get fitted for proper trainers if you go running.

I tried all the things--shots,physical therapy, changing shoes to negative gravity type, etc. The only thing that helped me was tai chi. I think it is because you keep rolling your foot--you go up to your toes and then you rock back. Hope this helps!

I had it for about a year before i went to the doctor. I tried the brace, the exercise, the insoles, and nothing worked. You have to get the inflammation down. I didn't want the shot so he gave me cortisone pills. It worked. Its been 4 years and haven't had a problem since.

I bought some kiseo tape for ankle weakness. You need to go to their website for demos on how to tape for various injuries. I noticed that plantar fasciitis was one of the many conditions listed. My ankle feels stable. It might help.

I had it and it was bad enough to the point I had take 2 weeks off because I just couldn't stand anymore. I did the frozen water bottle, strectching, brace, inserts...

the only thing that worked was keeping off my feet. I ended up quitting my job because I no longer could stand or walk.. shortly after I quit,I got a hernia and thanks to that and very limited movement for two months (before and after surgery) my foot got better. I eventually got better but I permanently wear ortho shoes to help prevent it from coming back. I NEVER want to go thru that.. i also ended up with a nice big heel spur..

Yikes, I have been there. You need to get yourself a boot to sleep in at night. I had one similar to this from my podiatrist: http://tinyurl.com/aualwvd My podiatrist also made me custom orthotics.

Takes a while to get used to sleeping in. I also had physical therapy for a while. What helps most (in addition to the boot). is stretching. One example: http://tinyurl.com/bbwaf4w

If you are running, you should stop immediately, you'll only make it worse. A low heel also relieves pressure on the foot... oh, and no flipflops or sandals. Took me about 4 or 5 months to kick it. My friend who didn't stop running ended up doing some pretty permanent damage.

Go to the sporting store and look for a shoe insert that is made out of a hard plastic
Buy them and install in shoes

Its going to hurt like hell the first day or two, but then it will start getting better

Hi Folks,

I've been having heel pain for a couple of weeks now. Hard to walk with it. I'm pretty sure that it is Plantar Fasciitis.

Trying to avoid going to the doctor and getting Shatnerarianly pain cortisone shot.

What have you all done to get your feet to feel better?

Thanks!

Stretch your calves and hamstrings really well every day.

I have active Plantar Fascitis and my doctor has me on Anti-Inflammatory's and is telling me to use a baseball or something round that is hard like a baseball and to roll the entire bottom of your foot on it with a great deal of pressure to work out the stresses. Also stretching helps a lot. You can look up foot stretches regarding PF on google. [Also, doc said golf ball is too small to affect the right sized area, so to use something similar to the size of a baseball]

Also, she recommended getting properly fitted at a shoe store (like the Running Room or a shoe store for runners) and explain to them your condition and they can help you chose out the best curved, wide and thick insoles for your shoes (or new shoes all together).

Hope that helps!! [But I know how much it hurts to wake up and step down onto hard floor... ugh. I can't wait for it to be gone!]

Here are a few suggestions. Stretch and stretch often. Stretch your calfs. Perform exercises to increase strength of your intrinic foot muscles including towel scrunches with your toes or picking up small objects with your toes. Massage the bottom of your foot throughout the entire arch and heel region. Also rolling a golf ball or frozen waterbottle under your foot works well too. Also, very important, wear shoes with good arch supports or add a firm arch support to your shoes! Hope this helps!

I had it years ago and now it is back for me too. Great thread. I'm going to try the frozen water bottle. The problem I have now is from limping from my right heel problem, now my left knee hurts. I don't walk, I wobble. Maybe icing my knee will help too??

Get orthotics for your shoes. Superfeet are good. They are available at most running stores. And, stretch, stretch, stretch the bottom of your feet. I like to sit down on my knees, with my toes on the floor and the bottom of my feet pointing backwards toward the wall behind me -- best sole stretch you can get.

I had a similar problem last year. I stayed away from the gym for a little while and then went to a specialty running store and got fitted for an awesome pair of new gym shoes. My feet felt a billion times better, and I haven't had any problems since. Good luck!

this! New shoes made the world of difference to me. After about 8 months of wearing my gym shoes and sandals with arch support, I can now go back and wear my other shoes occasionally without pain. I have noticed that if I wear my regular shoes too much then I start to have some flare ups so I just go back to my good shoes. Good, quality shoes are a must!