Plantar Fasciitis - anyone able to exercise through it?

Only thing that fixed mine was fitted orthotics. I found walking inflamed it. When I had it bad I stuck to things like cycling and cross trainer

In the short term, orthotics might be your best bet.

Long term, go barefoot more. You'll strengthen your feet. Your feet are weak because you wear shoes with good support!

I was able to run through my PF. Mine would really only hurt until about lunch time. So I did all of my exercise in the afternoon. But those first few steps on the hardwood floor in the morning... OUCH! My Mom had it worse than me... she said she used to dread getting out of bed in the morning. For most people, it will finally get better.

I have struggled on and off with PF for about 15 years now. I have extremely flat feet--just genetics, not much I can do about it. I use custom orthotics in my shoes, and they do help me quite a bit. I've tried the "go barefoot" advice, but it doesn't work for me long-term. My feet are not shaped properly, so the muscles are not really in the right place for strengthening them to do any good for PF. (At least that's my understanding... I've had plenty of conflicting advice from doctors, podiatrists, and physical therapists.) I've even taken to wearing special lightweight shoes with arch supports when I go to Taekwondo class.

Stretching is the key for me. Especially the Achilles tendon. There are plenty of ways--calf dips, leaning into a wall, pull toes with a towel, stretch foot with hand, "night splints", etc. But the key for me is to stretch every day. If I go too long without stretching, the PF comes back. With regular stretching, I can keep the PF at bay and exercise all I want.

Other things: I always wear well-constructed shoes and sandals that fit me properly. Either with good arch support on their own, or have plenty of room for my custom orthotics. If the shoe starts to wear out, I can tell right away it's time for a new pair.
My favorite non-custom arch supports: Strutz:
http://www.asseenontv.com/strutz-cushioned-arch-supports/detail.php?p=371775
You can buy them in lots of stores. I'll often wear these with sandals, or if I'm running around the house otherwise barefoot.

For acute bouts of PF, I like to freeze a water bottle and roll it under my foot. I haven't had to do that in a long while, though... :happy:

I suffered with PF for over two years, and nothing helped. I tried all the remedies mentioned here (except acupuncture -- no thanks!! LOL). Finally I went to my doctor and he gave me a steroid shot in that foot. In a few days it was almost gone! Six weeks later I had another, and have never suffered from PF again. That was at least ten years ago! Steroids. Do it.

I have it, I was waking up every morning barely able to stumble around the house and limping because my feet hurt so bad. there are a few things I have done and it seems to have helped

My mom insisted I put an insert in my shoes that is just a half foot one with tons of cushion that she tried and it seems to have helped a lot. I think it has some arch support. I don't have it here but can look up what it was when I get home
but it was inexpensive and some dr scholls thing I am sure

I also bought something called "foot wakers" from a yoga/pilates store online and they have helped a lot too (hurt a lot at first but it helped stretch the fascia I guess)

these are what I bought http://yamunabodyrolling.com/store/kits/?show_item=10 I bought them from a different store but same thing and I think you can get them on amazon as well

other than that I was just suffering through it with walking etc, but now I have no pain after constant pain for a few years

Are you able to go to a podiatrist? Mine recommended power feet inserts and said no doctor scholl's. She also offered physical therapy through ultrasound and electric stimulation, but we are going to wait and see how the icing, exercise,and inserts helps. She said absolutely do not go barefoot. At all. She gave the thumbs up to my wedge shoes for casual wear, I obviously can't walk long distances in them. Walking is a necessary part of my life, and unavoidable, and honestly I'm not getting much relief, so I'm looking forward to my next appointment. My feet tend to feel the best on days where I don't have to walk much, but a single day of walking my usual amount brings it back in full force.

I feel your pain! When mine was at its worst I was standing for 9 hours a day at work on a hard floor. The pain nearly killed me. I often fell over in the mornings when I got out of bed because of the pain and my feet were all scrunched up. Moving around eased it out slowly but didn't stop the pain.
Like you I also have high arches and carry about the same in extra weight. My cousin is a physical therapist and taught me to strap/tape my feet which helped a little (there's lots of good sites on it, just google). In the end I found the most helpful thing was strengthening my feet by doing toe raises - just raising yourself up on tip toes and holding for as long as you can. Barefoot has been especially helpful although very difficult to start with. Height of your arches and weight has nothing to do with your ability to go barefoot.
Although many recommend arch support I found in the long run it made things worse - your feet aren't working as they were designed to and are actually becoming weaker as muscles are stretching/flexing as they should.
I'm currently reading 'Barefoot Walking' by Sandler and Lee which has some good info on easing into barefoot and strengthening the feet.
Hope you find something that works for you as it's no fun having PF.

the taping I did looked pretty much like this except there was also a strip running along the inside of the arch to the heel.

http://sweethopia.blogspot.co.nz/2010/12/first-pt-session-for-plantar-fasciitis.html

I have PF and find when I get a flare up exercise is just a no go unfortunately

Like others have said though, leg raises and some stretching, ice and feet up for a few days often it can ease up then you may find you are able to get back to your walking and exercise.