Working through the pains of fitness

Me too. Take it easier. When you heal, don't run, if that's what caused your PF. Find something lower impact.

It's part of the game. Learn to prehab/rehab and learn to work around injuries. It's just the nature of the beast.

It takes a very, very long time to resolve that foot pain. Never, never skip your stretches when running, before and after.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/multimedia/foot-stretches-to-prevent-plantar-fasciitis/img-20008230

Christafilbeck wrote: »

I'm seeing a doctor who has shot up my feet twice now.

I think he/she meant knowledgeable about running and preventing/dealing with injury. The doctor may know how to give you a shot but not necessarily what advice to give you to prevent this in the future. I am not a specialist myself but I did beat PF with my own resources so I can share the experience for what it's worth.

Did you have it from over-training (pushed yourself too hard)? Or did you have it from day-to-day activities not involving sport? I had PF before I even began running, just from normal daily walking and being overweight. It sucks but it can be conquered, I have been pain-free for months now.

I dealt with it with preventive exercises in bed every morning before getting up (that was extremely helpful), lots of rest to the foot, change of shoes, orthotics, all the while using the elliptical for exercise as it's very low-impact. I did strength training exercises, for my whole body so all the muscles would work properly when I walk/run and not leave the feet take all the stress, and special exercises to strengthen my feet and shins in addition to that (got all of the exercises online online after lots of research, but that's something you do at your own risk, if you can consult a professional that would of course be better). Only when I had been pain-free for a while and felt stronger, did I begin running, and I've (so far) never overdone it.

But, the single biggest factor that helped my PF was losing weight through eating less. Even the first 10 lbs helped, actually, the first 10 lbs helped the most.

I do not mean to underestimate your condition or say what worked for me must work the same way for you; obviously if it's bad enough to need shots than it's worse than I had it, so I am not saying you can do it all yourself like magic. But you will have to do it eventually, the shots are a temporary solution - PF is a recurrent condition if you don't deal with all the factors that caused it the first time. If you have access to one, I would consult a sports medicine physician (whatever they are called in English?). Good luck!

Wiseandcurious wrote: »

Azdak wrote: »

I haven't tried this with anyone, but I thought this was interesting FYI:
http://running.competitor.com/2014/06/photos/new-techniques-treating-plantar-fasciitis_96398

That was a very interesting article. I also read about night braces, but never had one. In lighter cases, or if you can't get a night brace (no access to doctor, i.e.) stretching the foot in bed (with a scarf or stretching band) before you ever step on the foot does a similar, but less effective job. You stretch the fascia gently and prepare it for the stress of walking so it doesn't get new micro-tears before the old one healed. I'll try to find the sources I used but I read so much I don't even remember what came from where.

There are Strasdburg sock ie night braces available on line and at most running stores.

Wiseandcurious wrote: »

Christafilbeck wrote: »

I'm seeing a doctor who has shot up my feet twice now.

I think he/she meant knowledgeable about running and preventing/dealing with injury. The doctor may know how to give you a shot but not necessarily what advice to give you to prevent this in the future.

Exactly my point. Many physicians don't possess the experience to deal with PF effectively, where effectively doesn't mean condemning a person to giving up all sorts of activities for the rest of their lives.

The OP is young. Can you imagine giving up on future potential without giving up a fight, meaning exploring all options and the best advice possible?

I sure can't.

OP also said,

Christafilbeck wrote: »

everytime I start loosing weight and looking good, I get hurt.

This to me suggests unlucky biomechanics and/or a connective tissue vulnerability, especially in someone young. These are assumptions, yeah. If they're right (and you're correct that I can't know that, but I will bet money on it) it's better to be careful than not. Especially if there isn't timely, top-notch rehab available.

OP: what other issues have you had so far?