Anyone out there with plantar fasciitis? Has anything worked for you?

I have done the stretches. I have rolled my foot on a frozen bottle of water. I have dunked my foot in an ice bath. And, I have now had my 3rd cortisone shot. Nothing is keeping the pain away.

My doc is now saying he needs to have a scan done of my foot and will more than likely immobilize my foot for a period of time. I am guessing 4 to 6 weeks.

This definitely will kill my cardio and some of my lower body exercises.

I will continue to transform one way or the other.

My Uncle had that and this is what worked for him
He wore shoes with good shock absorption and the right arch support for your foot. Athletic shoes or shoes with a well-cushioned sole are usually good choices.
Try heel cups or shoe inserts (orthotics) to help cushion your heel. You can buy these at many athletic shoe stores and drugstores.
Put on your shoes as soon as you get out of bed. Going barefoot or wearing slippers may make your pain worse.
Do simple exercises such as calf stretches and towel stretches several times a day, especially when you first get up in the morning. These can help your ligament become more flexible and strengthen the muscles that support your arch.
My Uncle was told by the doctor that swimming should help him continue with his weightloss. Or you can ask your doctor questions about exercising during plantar fasciitis treatment, such as whether physical therapy or referral to a sports medicine specialist, podiatrist, or orthopedist is appropriate. He still has pain but he's learning to deal with it.

I'll be praying for you if that's okay?

God bless
Jerome

Jerome,

Thanks! I have thought about swimming. I used to swim a lot when I was younger. I had PF about 12 years ago. I did the stretches and had 2 cortisone shots back then. Nothing worked. Then, one day, it was just gone. I do have flat feet so my arches roll inward. That makes me prone to getting PF.

I was on the golf course this past Saturday. Later that afternoon, I could barely walk on my left foot. The podiatrist thinks the bone could actually be "stressed" and that is why he thinks I may need to immobilize it for a while.

I think I will bite the bullet in hopes this doesn't linger for another 6 months.

I was blessed with a bad case of plantar fasciitis 10 years ago.
I had to get special made orthotics that i wore in my shoes for about 9 months.
I never took cortisone - just prescription anti inflammatories and losts of icing and stretching after any activity.
It eventually went away and has not come back - although I am careful to always wear good shoes and replace my tennis shoes often.
Patience is all I can say :<)

I've had it as well.
At one point I was over stretching which allowed me to experience the pain for an additional 6 months. Mine took time and patience as well.

I agree with Paul that good shoes help.

I am saddened to hear of your struggles. Keep up hope.

~ Pete

Suggestion: rest for 30 days, completely, and I mean completely, stay off of it.

If you can have it put in a cast, all the better. It amazing what rest can do! Stretch only lightly.

Those are my two cents, for what its worth! I had the beginnings of this, but dialed it back in time to save myself from the hardships I've read about above.

I've found, that if you can identify an issue when its first happens and back off, you can save yourself a lot of pain and suffering.....this was only learned in the past 5 years or so and I am 38!

Dr Scholl's inserts have done wonders for me! is that how you spell that :-)

Dude

To keep doing cardio, you can use an Airdyne by Schwinn. Some clubs have them. You just rest your feet on the stationary poles and pull with your upper body. Wear a heart rate monitor so you can watch your heart rate and push yourself.

Sorry to hear you are a fellow sufferer!! Ugh, it would almost be less painful to walk on broken glass... That being said, though I had an extreme case, it is all gone now! I have orthodics and that didn't work. Tried icing, stretching, stopped training (running) and so forth. What got rid of mine were 2 brand new shoes from a shop that specializes in running. One pair of Brooks and one pair of Saucony's latest technology, alternating them every other run and within a few weeks, pain free. Thank God!!! Good luck, heal up and let us know what ends up working for you!
Bon

Thanks everyone! I actually wear Ecco shoes for working out, walking and at work. The last time this happened, I was running instead of my usual biking. At a marathon I was at, I found a doctor that had this shoe insert for PF. I bought them back then and after a few months, the PF went away. I found this doctor again and bought the same inserts. So far, they haven't worked either. It looks like some sort of air cast and rest are what I will be facing starting next week.

I don't have it, but did once when I was running. My husband has it really bad (although he does not exercise). He has done everything including the shots and even surgery on one foot. The surgery helped for a while, but it is back again. It comes and goes for him. It is incredibly painful. You could exercise in the pool........

Training calves caused mine last fall. I bought myself a pair of Birkenstocks and wore whenever I was on my feet. Pain free today. Still wear Birks.

Tonia

Quote:

Originally Posted by dahmooser Suggestion: rest for 30 days, completely, and I mean completely, stay off of it. If you can have it put in a cast, all the better. It amazing what rest can do! Stretch only lightly. Those are my two cents, for what its worth! I had the beginnings of this, but dialed it back in time to save myself from the hardships I've read about above. I've found, that if you can identify an issue when its first happens and back off, you can save yourself a lot of pain and suffering.....this was only learned in the past 5 years or so and I am 38!

This worked for me also. The stretching was just a temporary fix, but the morning after a run, it was back again. You lose a little bit of conditioning but it comes back and it was worth it to get rid of the pain. Good luck, I'll be praying for a speedy recovery for you also.

-Larry

I will agree my feet never felt better than when I used to wear the birkies

PF is no fun to be sure!

Does cycling (either upright or recumbent) aggravate the condition? I know several folks with PF who are fine using the recumbent bike. Failing that, does your gym have a hand bike available?

Tdx27,

I too had PF some 7 years ago. In all it took me about a year to recover from it. During that period I was advised to start with the toe/foot exercises stretches etc which didn't work. After that I also had a total of 3 cortisone injectios which as you well know are a very painfull experience. I had given up hope of ever recovering but after the 3rd shot the pain began to slowly fade away. Most PF's heal after 6-18 months so I can assure you that you have an almost 100% chance of recovery. Some therapies not mentioned here are ultrasound and shock wave therapy. My advice would be to wait a while before starting anything new.

And most of all, keep the faith!!

Once again, thank you to everyone who has responded! Your thoughts, prayers and advice are greatly appreciated!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdx27 Anyone out there with plantar fasciitis? Has anything worked for you? I have done the stretches. I have rolled my foot on a frozen bottle of water. I have dunked my foot in an ice bath. And, I have now had my 3rd cortisone shot. Nothing is keeping the pain away. My doc is now saying he needs to have a scan done of my foot and will more than likely immobilize my foot for a period of time. I am guessing 4 to 6 weeks. This definitely will kill my cardio and some of my lower body exercises. I will continue to transform one way or the other.

Have had good resullts with a magnetic insole made by a company called Nikken. Can give you more info and details if your interested

It is a comfort to know that I am not the only one suffering from P.F., even though I would like no one to know this pain. It is not stopping me from the Challenge. I do what I can. I know the best advise is to stay off it but this is the real world and everyone has something to do and somewhere to go. Knowing that others care is the best help so far. Hang in there - we will all make it together. Aloha

GK,

Thanks! I will check it out.

Islandgirl,

I hear ya. I am a Facilities Manager for Lockheed Martin. I have over 2 million square feet and countless acres of land that I must keep a pulse on. We do have golf carts to help get around but I must be on my feet a good bit everyday. I have been putting off imobliizing my foot but the pain is still there. I may have to bit the bullet. And, it definitely hasn't stopped me from Transforming. I can still ride my bike and get in the pool for my cardio.

Tom