plantar fasciitis help

[raeven]

Originally Posted by Cleda

seem to work well also.

Once I was diagnosed with PF, I could NEVER EVER EVER go barefoot again. And the fear of it flaring up again has kept me in shoes, slippers, etc. ( i was the barefoot gal for all my life so this was a huge change for me.)

While just sitting, Tracing the alphabet with your foot works well (to stretch it). (I think this tip came from Clare many, many years ago!)

I have orthotics to help. I did go to a podiatrist as well to make sure I was treating everything properly. Replacing sneakers/shoes when they are worn out (even though they don't look it) is key for me. I am overweight and have to replace them every few months. I just wear them down. Podiatrist told me didn't matter if I used a $10 shoe or a $1000 shoe, I would wear them down and need to replace them within 2 months or so.

Good luck!
Cleda

Yes, that too...though I never replace my shoes like I should. My biggest problem is being overweight as well. One day I will remedy that! I was like you though...I was so terrified to walk barefoot that I think I wore my birks 24/7 longer than I needed too. But I'll be a barefoot gal forever. Knowing I have the tools now, should it ever try to rear it's ugly head, I'll take my chances going barefoot all the time hehe!

[wishiwasinhawaii]

Originally Posted by gmac

I need recommendations on dealing with plantar fasciitis. I am a 46 year old male, slightly overweight, and have self diagnosed this issue starting back 3-4 weeks ago.

I run off and on and was running a few weeks ago when my left foot started hurting in the arch area. The next morning I could barely walk. Since then I have bought a couple different brands of inserts and have stayed away from running although I still walk a lot. The pain has lessened but still comes and goes. I know I should probably see a specialist but hoping to avoid a doctor visit if possible and looking for recommendations on home remedy and ideas if on how long this may take to go away if it will go away. Thanks

I've had both PF and another condition called PTTD. When I had PF I had pain in the heel and with PTTD I had pain in the arch, so when you said you're having arch pain that comes and goes, that made me think what you have could be PTTD because I had the same symptoms. If you don't know what that is, please look it up and see if you think you have the symptoms. The full name of it is posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. It is not something to ignore or take lightly so if symptoms persist or get worse, I hope you'll see a doctor or podiatrist. It tends to start in people in their 40's (I got it a year ago when I was 48).

[michl43]

Birkenstocks work for me, I can walk miles in them and not even get a twinge of pain. I've had a pair many years ago and didn't like them because they weren't the right size or width, so after getting the right size at a store, I love them. They actually do mold to your foot after a few weeks. I have five pairs now. It's all I wear unless it's raining.

before Birks, I used masking tape to bind my arches, insoles, etc.. But they didn't provide long lasting relief.

[wishiwasinhawaii]

Originally Posted by michl43

Birkenstocks work for me, I can walk miles in them and not even get a twinge of pain. I've had a pair many years ago and didn't like them because they weren't the right size or width, so after getting the right size at a store, I love them. They actually do mold to your foot after a few weeks. I have five pairs now. It's all I wear unless it's raining.

before Birks, I used masking tape to bind my arches, insoles, etc.. But they didn't provide long lasting relief.

Since you live in San Diego I guess you can wear them year-round, but I've never worn Birks because I live in the northeast and wearing sandals is only a summer thing and they are pricey. They look like they have good arch support. I might have to try these next summer. I actually went this whole summer without wearing sandals at all because I was too afraid to try.

[yogapam]

I have had PF twice and it took quite a long time to resolve both times. It was ongoing and then suddenly just got better after much persistence. For me, and we are all different, I had to strike a balance between stretching and working my bare feet and wearing good supportive shoes for walking and cardio. I did get custom orthotics and I still wear them in my sneakers for cardio and long walks. The only other shoes I can wear for walking are Vionic/Orthaheels. Icing helped & NSAIDs helped in the short term. I used these balance pods in bare feet every morning upon rising and found them helpful:
http://www.amazon.com/j-fit-Balance-...t+balance+pods

[BunnyHop]

I tried on a number of different styles of Birkenstocks, and they just don't work for my feet.

The bump under the toes is badly placed for me, so they're really not comfortable.

I really wanted these to work, but they really didn't.

The arch supports I wore for a while were the Birkenstock Birko® Natural Arch Support. Not cheap, but they seemed to help my feet heal.

[yogapam]

Anna - I have worn Birks in the past and really liked them. They are definitely an acquired taste and require a significant breaking in period. I love my Vionics, they have a higher arch support than my Birks which suits my pronating feet better.

[JackieB]

Birks didn't work for me at all. I do like Naots and Jambus for good support. I had custom orthotics for a while. Superfeet seem to be fine for me now.

[shoegoddess]

heelspurs.com
This site really helped me when I suffered with plantar fascists several years ago.

[sweatie]

I had plantar fasciitis in one foot a few years ago and it cleared up very quickly by stretching the foot and the calf muscles, using an arch support, and wearing a night splint to bed. Frankly, I think the night splint was the most helpful. Here is a short video by the 2 most famous physical therapists on the Internet (in their own opinion, of course) which explains why the night splint is so helpful.

I hope your foot gets better quickly.