Working through the pains of fitness

Christafilbeck
Christafilbeck Posts: 21 Member
edited November 19 in Fitness and Exercise
everytime I start loosing weight and looking good, I get hurt. Now , I'm dealing with plantar fasciitis. Getting shots in my feet
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Replies

  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Me too. Take it easier. When you heal, don't run, if that's what caused your PF. Find something lower impact.
  • PopeyeCT
    PopeyeCT Posts: 249 Member
    Find something that works for you. Cycling or Swimming come to mind.

    If you want to find excuses for not exercising...there are many. None of them really matter.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    It's part of the game. Learn to prehab/rehab and learn to work around injuries. It's just the nature of the beast.
  • Christafilbeck
    Christafilbeck Posts: 21 Member
    Just found out that I have elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Gee whiz. I have to work out more
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    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
  • discretekim
    discretekim Posts: 314 Member
    Ugh. It's the worst. I have that and a related condition. I've come to realize there are things I will never be able to do. Kind of sobering at 26. But after seeing a doctor for months I got orthotics. My pain is not bad day to day and although I'll never run again short walks are fine and so is Zumba usually. Still things like theme parks and zoos suck.
  • Christafilbeck
    Christafilbeck Posts: 21 Member
    I hear ya. I work at a hospital. The doctor who shot my feet up came to see me personally. I was so surprised.
  • Christafilbeck
    Christafilbeck Posts: 21 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    Me too. Take it easier. When you heal, don't run, if that's what caused your PF. Find something lower impact.

  • Christafilbeck
    Christafilbeck Posts: 21 Member
    Thank you. I just want to feel better
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    Me too. Take it easier. When you heal, don't run, if that's what caused your PF. Find something lower impact.

    This is terrible advice.

    PF is a resolvable and preventable issue for many runners who contract the problem. She should seek knowledgeable help not random advice from those who would have them drop an activity without the details.
  • Christafilbeck
    Christafilbeck Posts: 21 Member
    I'm seeing a doctor who has shot up my feet twice now.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    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
  • Wiseandcurious
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    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
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    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.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    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.
  • loulamb7
    loulamb7 Posts: 801 Member
    everytime I start loosing weight and looking good, I get hurt.

    I purposefully loss most of my weight with minimal exercise because I wanted to know that if I stopped exercising I could still maintain. Exercise for health and fitness benefits, eat less to lose weight. Hope you feel better soon.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    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.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited June 2015
    mwyvr 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.

    Can you imagine not being able to walk for longer than ten minutes without pain, and ruining your chances of doing any kind of activity?

    And you're right. Lots of doctors don't know what they're doing when it comes to tendon issues. There are also lots of bad or ineffective physiotherapists. It takes luck and money to get good care on a timeline that will prevent things going chronic. The odds of successfully managing that PF to the degree that running will be a-ok in the future aren't amazing.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    OP also said,
    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?
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Given the paucity of information coming from the OP, this thread is unlikely to result in a breakthrough.

    Meanwhile I'll continue to agitate in this or any similar thread against simply giving up, which is where a lot of the advice in this thread is pointing to.

    PS, in case anyone is wondering, I consider 46 young. @Christafilbeck should have a lot of life left in her. If I were her, I'd be pursuing every avenue to make sure I had the best possible chance of getting full use out of my feet for the balance of my life whether I'm 46 or 16. It's a shame to simply accept with resignation that restricting activities is Plan A.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    mwyvr wrote: »
    Given the paucity of information coming from the OP, this thread is unlikely to result in a breakthrough.

    Meanwhile I'll continue to agitate in this or any similar thread against simply giving up, which is where a lot of the advice in this thread is pointing to.

    PS, in case anyone is wondering, I consider 46 young. @Christafilbeck should have a lot of life left in her. If I were her, I'd be pursuing every avenue to make sure I had the best possible chance of getting full use out of my feet for the balance of my life whether I'm 46 or 16. It's a shame to simply accept with resignation that restricting activities is Plan A.

    Rehab costs money. Even bad rehab. And even if you have a lot of money, acquiring enough knowledge to even formulate the appropriate questions to ask to find appropriate care takes precious time. It's an access issue, as far as I'm concerned, and as someone who's been there, done that, has 20 T-shirts, I am going to continue to suggest being smart instead of bold when it comes to soft tissue issues.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    Call it giving up in more words?

    Don't live in a place with universal health care? Don't have oodles to spend? Are self reliant? The driven person can probably improve their lot in life on their own with some effort. @Wiseandcurious sets a good example.

    Let's not forget my comment about the dearth of information from the OP. She hasn't even yet indicated what type of workouts she does. Her PF issues may stem from her work environment. Should she give up working too?

    46 is too young to give up.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    No. The point is stopping risky activity before your body forces you to give up less risky activities.
  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    No. The point is stopping risky activity before your body forces you to give up less risky activities.

    Again, the OP hasn't even yet indicated what type of workouts she does. Her PF issues may in fact stem from her work environment. Being overweight and being on your feet all day (as occurs in many health care related occupations) are both risk factors for PF on their own.

    Does someone suffering from weight and work triggered PF give up working?

    Or would it not be better to treat the issue?
  • Wiseandcurious
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    OP also said,
    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.

    I don't think anyone is saying that OP should push herself to train trough her injury, especially not activities that may be inherently risky if she has health issues. But improving her general physical condition by losing weight by eating less food (if she needs to lose weight) and doing some form of gentle and well-targeted exercise to strengthen her weak points is definitely better than not doing anything at all. Her joint/tendons/muscles won't get stronger on their own.

    Provided the lack of information, Occam's razor would suggest that most beginners in fitness injure themselves through doing too much too soon rather than through some previously unknown medical condition. And the cure for doing too much, too soon, isn't not doing anything at all, but having a very gently and gradually increasing physical activity. Of course pain and injuries should be a red flag, no arguing with that.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    you certainly do not have to give up whatever you were doing. not forever, maybe for a bit.
    I suggest stretching the feet before and after. also consider rolling the foot with a foam roller or tennis ball. someone suggested freezing a water bottle and rolling your foot on that.
    PF is treatable and preventable. and should be done so because it's uncomfortable and can infringe upon regular not exercising life too.

    imho
  • PatsyFitzpatrick
    PatsyFitzpatrick Posts: 335 Member
    Christa sorry you are suffering with PF. I know the shots work. I have had them myself 3x. I also went to a podiatrist and have inserts for my running shoes. Check youtube there is an athlete gold medalist who has a deep water running program that helps during the healing time you are off. If you have access to a pool. Also take advantage of working at the hospital. Ask around or look at the doctors and you will recognize a runner. Ask them who they see for their sports injuries. I agree most MD are not sport medicine or PT trained. Medicine has evolved for the athlete so take advantage. Hope you are back running when fully HEEL. :)
    Patsy
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    OP also said,
    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.

    I don't think anyone is saying that OP should push herself to train trough her injury, especially not activities that may be inherently risky if she has health issues. But improving her general physical condition by losing weight by eating less food (if she needs to lose weight) and doing some form of gentle and well-targeted exercise to strengthen her weak points is definitely better than not doing anything at all. Her joint/tendons/muscles won't get stronger on their own.

    Provided the lack of information, Occam's razor would suggest that most beginners in fitness injure themselves through doing too much too soon rather than through some previously unknown medical condition. And the cure for doing too much, too soon, isn't not doing anything at all, but having a very gently and gradually increasing physical activity. Of course pain and injuries should be a red flag, no arguing with that.

    There is some information available, to wit, the risk factors for PF, which include the things I mentioned. Weight loss on its own, together with appropriate therapy may indeed help. But OP hasn't said anything about not losing weight and running is not required to lose weight, either.

    And as you know, once fascia and tendons have been compromised, for whatever reason, they have to be watched in perpetuity.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    mwyvr wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    No. The point is stopping risky activity before your body forces you to give up less risky activities.

    Again, the OP hasn't even yet indicated what type of workouts she does. Her PF issues may in fact stem from her work environment. Being overweight and being on your feet all day (as occurs in many health care related occupations) are both risk factors for PF on their own.

    Does someone suffering from weight and work triggered PF give up working?

    Or would it not be better to treat the issue?

    Of course treat the issue. That doesn't mean "run"
  • Wiseandcurious
    Wiseandcurious Posts: 730 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    mwyvr wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    No. The point is stopping risky activity before your body forces you to give up less risky activities.

    Again, the OP hasn't even yet indicated what type of workouts she does. Her PF issues may in fact stem from her work environment. Being overweight and being on your feet all day (as occurs in many health care related occupations) are both risk factors for PF on their own.

    Does someone suffering from weight and work triggered PF give up working?

    Or would it not be better to treat the issue?

    Of course treat the issue. That doesn't mean "run"

    I really don't understand how you read the posts. i don't think anyone *ever* said just "run". I do think people said "take care of it so that you can run *one day* if you still want to".

    I think we're probably interpreting the posts very differently. Just to be safe - OP (if you're there a all), don't run through the pain of PF, that's not what anyone is suggesting you do.
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