plantar fasci-ouch

[Zoe Girl]

I think I have an answer to another part of my aging body, I don't like it. My heels have been painful lately, at waking up and after a long day of walking at summer camp it is very difficult at the end of the day. Today I could barely walk and I wanted to start running again, but not gonna happen. I finally looked up that plantar fasc-whatchi-callit I hear about in runners magazines and I have a match! Good new is that regular stretching and some simple things can help, but also there is not a cure.

I think I can improve by stretching before I get out of bed, wear good shoes with inserts, and maybe I can run again!

[Tiam]

Plantar fascitis or however you spell it HURTS. But it seems easy to rememdy with the right techniques and shoes. Knee problems don't seem to respond as well. Or upper foot pain. The small bones on the top of your feet? They really hurt sometimes as I rub them out.

[Greg44]

I have suffered from this - my foot doctor altered an orthodtic I use to wear running. He also recommended I never go barefoot. As soon as my feet hit the floor in the a.m. - put shoes on. He also said - NO running until I was pain free for at least 6 weeks. The recovery is slow...

[mtnlaurel]

The recovery is slow...

SUUUUUUUPER slow for me. It felt like I gestated my kids quicker than getting over a few foot issues a few years ago.
I got a lot of relief from putting a small water bottle in the freezer and rolling my feet on top of it morning and night and sometimes throughout the day.

Also - water aerobics, swimming laps was a real friend during this time, much easier on my feet

[Aqua Blue]

Mine for all practical purposes never got better.:( It started in my mid 40's and now 15years later I wear orthoditics all the time, I too never walk any distance(I don't even walk to the bathroom at night) without shoes and orthoditics , I wear a night splint, I used to love taking walks, but now getting groceries is an ordeal. I've seen many podiatrists without much help. Now I have gained weight and I think that most certainly adds to the problem. One thing I would do if I had a do over is really work hard at keeping any extra weight of at the beginiingf, it might help your recovery and it is really hard if you can't exercise anymore to get much weight off.

[Valley]

After years of pain, shots, exercises, and custom made orthotics, I finally had surgery (about 14 years ago) on one of my feet (done in the doctor's office with an anesthetic) and the shock wave therapy (about 8 years ago and also done in the doctor's office). It was the best thing that I ever did. I no longer suffer pain on a regular basis. If I have a flare up (rarely) one steroid injection takes care of it. When I wear shoes that my orthotics will fit in, then I wear my orthotics. When I wear a well supported sandle, I don't need to worry about wearing the orthotics. It has changed my life...for the good!