Anyone suffer from Plantar Fasciitis?

[dancingirl21]

I've had it off and on for the last several years. It comes and goes, usually for a couple weeks at a time then just magically goes (almost) away. I can always feel a slight twinge of pain in my heel but not enough to be really bothersome.

I'm going through a very bad bout right now for the last couple of weeks. I've stretched a lot and can tell my calf muscles are tight. Getting up in the morning is the absolute worst. I limp around cringing in pain until everything loosens up, which can take awhile.

Does anyone have home treatments that have worked, or have you seen a doctor about it? I'm willing to try pretty much anything at this point.

[Deleted]

I bought orthopedic slippers to wear at home. That made a huge difference--bare feet are the worst for it:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0044GAOYI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1432642008&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=orthaheel+slippers


And switched almost all of my shoes to orthopedic versions. I also switch to water aerobics from dance classes and walking.

[Marmee]

I do off & on. My sister is a PT & suggested wearing Danskos & some stretches. Maybe a coincidence but I rarely get it anymore.

[osulori]

When mine was really bad, I started rolling the bottom of my foot on a golf ball and it really helped in a "hurts so good" way. And I got inserts for my shoes-the green ones from Superfeet. They were supposed to be in my running shoes but I wore them in all my shoes for about a month until my foot felt better consistently, then went to just wearing them in my running shoes. Those helped a TON.

[cep1976]

Get a Strassburg sock and sleep in it: www.amazon.com/Strassburg-Sock-Regular-Size-Around/dp/B00JB2UDTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432644693&sr=8-1&keywords=strassburg+sock. It looks like a torture device, but works really, really well.

Also, freeze a water bottle and use it to roll your foot.

[pizzanight]

I do - mostly from running (half marathons may 2011 and October 2012). I abandoned training for an October 2013 half I had registered for because it was so bad. I treated it with these weird support straps - they look like nothing but I swear they help so much.

FlexaMed Plantar Fasciitis Arch Supports. www.amazon.com/dp/B0088IGVG8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Phhzvb06NEQG6

Since I stopped running I haven't had a bad flare up, but I'd really like to get back to it. I'm skeered though.

[justjen]

I'm in the same boat, but never do the stretches (by the time I have time to stretch each day, I just want to go to bed!)

I also wear Orthoheel (now called Vionic) shoes most days, as well as their slippers around the house. But I still get flare ups. I've been meaning to try the technique described here:

mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2014/09/15/heel-pain-treatment/?referrer=

[leonard131]

I do and running this weekend has flared it up a bit. When I am running long distances it gets really really bad. I use a boot thingy when I sleep. I can't remember which one but I found it does help.

Also, my doctor mentioned tight hamstrings can play a role.

[Deleted]

Stretching helps but you have to do it daily. Never wear flats/flip flops. You could see a PT and they could give you some recommendations/stretching exercises to help.

[lilles]

I've had it on and off for the past four years. I wear hideous Crocs around the house and never go barefoot.

If it is really bad you can see a PT and they have this little machine that they put some stickers on your foot and you get mild electric shocks and it is supposed to make it better.

I haven't needed that yet and mostly do the ball rolling and stretches.

[nextbigthing]

Agree on the never go barefoot. I've had it since I was a teenager, I wish I could wear my running shoes all day every day.

I would go see a podiatrist, custom orthodics can make a world of difference. Also, they can tell you the right stretches, etc or give you a night brace. Wear good shoes, even if they're ugly. I rarely wear sandals, and when I do, they're fitflops or Vionic. For work shoes I like Aravon or Munro (less ugly than many)

Don't ignore the pain, I admit I ignored mine while I was pregnant and it had extended to my heel, now I'm in a soft cast and boot for the next month with a partial achilles tear and heel spur.

Good luck!!

[dancingirl21]

Thanks, all. I have ordered a few of the shoes/supports suggested here and will start there. We have all hardwoods in our house and I never go barefoot but do just wear a pair of flip flops, which certainly can't be helping. I also ordered a lacrosse ball to roll out my foot. Amazon Prime has it all in my house by Thursday. Hoping for some relief soon!

[longtimenopost]

I get it in the first trimester with every pregnancy for a couple weeks. Awful! I'm sorry you are dealing with it. Custom orthotics worked for me.

[polarbearfans]

I used to get it really bad until I kept up on he home stretches and started wearing orthotics/supportive shoes most of the time. Because of some nerve damage (years of high heels to work standing 8+ hours), I cannot use the sleep boot. My podiatrist said never go barefoot or wear flip flops. Vary your heel height throughout the day if possible, heels under 2 inches. I cannot say I follow all the advice all the time, but I am more mindful of my choices.

[schrodinger]

I get it off and on. Ditto all the recommendations about not going barefoot or wearing flip flops/unsupportive shoes. I used to have custom orthotics, but found that Superfeet insoles work just as well for me. The lacrosse ball worked well for immediate relief, but long term I have to stretch or roll out my calves. I used The Stick (running stores have them) to work out knots.

[jssymom14]

I have just started with a flare-up in the last month or so. Thanks to all the suggestions! I will definitely be following some of the advice on here.

[granthamite]

My mom suffered from it for years. About a year ago she had OssaTron shock wave treatment (done at her podiatrist's office) and she's virtually pain free now. I would suggest seeing a podiatrist and talking to him/her about your options.

[jorja]

The key for me has been shoes with good arch support. I'm almost never barefoot...even at home, I have flip flops with arch support on (Reefs actually work really well for my feet) It's made a huge difference.

[rugbywife]

I get it on and off. I get it a lot when I run. I had it during pregnancy because of my weight gain.

I wear a pair of Nike padded flip flops around the house now. That helps.

[swimmette]

take a little bit of water out of a plastic water bottle and put it in the freezer. After it is frozen put it on the floor and rub your foot back and forth on it. It will help rub and massage the plantar fascia band. That should help after a couple of days. If not, I would contact your local podiatrist to get a oral steroid or steroid injection.