to wonder how people cope with plantar fascilitis?

[shewhowines]

On the back of another thread, just wondering how people have cured plantar fascilitis. Will be looking at mbt shoes.

Fit flops did the trick for me and then wearing proper shoes afterwards and avoiding prolonged use of flip flops or birkenstocks.

I bought some good quality shoes with a slight heel/wedge and lots of support, that seemed to be the only thing that got rid of it in the end. I still find i can't comfortably wear unsupported flatties for long periods of time without it causing pain. I got some "hotter" ones that were very good- worth paying a bit more!

Insoles from podiatrist worked for me.

I have it (I think, that or Mortons Neuroma) it is starting to get to the point where it hurts everyday, not just when its flared up post heels/exercise.

I looked at heel arch inserts but they are really expensive, think I will book an appointment to see somebody at work (work in a private hospital) good physio team etc.

oooh I have some MBTs, will have to dig them out.

I bought arch inserts which I wear in shoes that don't have an arch support in them, and birkenstocks.

OK I was in pain for over a year and what did it for me was MBT (i was told not to use fit flops because they don't have enough support, and nothing at the back of the foot and you have to 'clasp' your toes when you walk which is apparently not good at all. Anything flip flop is bad.). Secondly, I kept a cold can of coke in the fridge and roll it under foot a few times a day to reduce the inflammation. It really really helped manage the pain. Third, exercises from physio including stretches: standing with toes on a step and stretch calf muscle down and also I think yoga helped (positions such as down dog really stretch back of the leg). I do ballet once a week now and I think that it has helped make the muscle in my feet stronger and more flexible and the pain has not come back. I've stopped running and playing tennis. And also swimming for some reason makes it hurt.

I only buy clarks shoes, and I have one pair of sandals from Ecco with a good strap at the back. If I wear heals for one night I have to do stretches the next day.

I bought arch support insoles. They were hideously expensive but I was working 12 1/2 hour night shifts at the time and it was agony, so well worth it.

I have it and second BlueberryPancake's advice above. Changing shoes works for me (i.e. alternating two good pairs of supportive shoes) and wiggling my feet (technical term covering all sorts of stretches, ankle rotations etc) with no shoes on whenever I can.

V interested in people's ideas as I have PF and it's bloody agony! I've got an appointment with a podiatrist in a few weeks but have been doing exercises, wearing shoes with a bit of a heel when I can & have bought heel & arch supports of course, they didn't work until I realised that the agony I was in was partly due to the fact that I was wearing the supports on the wrong feet! What an utter twit!

I have been using Arnica gel most nights and this seems to be working a little.

I tried arch supports but they did nothing at all.

In desperation I went to the fashionable bit of Hotter (oxymoron I know). Some of the shoes are bearable in the fashiony bit.They were the most comfortable shoes I have had, and I am on my feet 9 hours a day. Whenever I wear ballet pumps my feet hurt. Sadly my doctorwas right about supportive shoes.

The damage to my style self perception has sadly never recovered, but oh......the comfort

I have had this to varying degrees for over 10 yrs. Insoles from the hospital worked but you need lots for different shoes & of course they are not suitable for anything other than "enclosed" shoes. I am now very careful which shoes I buy, making sure they have the correct support. I can't go barefoot. I also use "secret support" slippers from M&S and have them next to the bed ready to wear immediately!

I use super feet insoles and good quality walking shoes, never had a problem since using them.

Birkinstock/Birki insoles.

Ugh have just looked on thier website. The only thing I would even consider on there is the wedge heeled sandals. The rest are unspeakable

OK professional free advice here
Calf stretches every day without fail
No going barefoot
Use of NSAIDS (like ibuprofen)
Arch massage using cold can of something
Acupuncture
Orthotics
Night splints
No flip flops
Temporarily reduce exercise levels if high and avoid uphill walking until on the mend.
Go see a good podiatrist.

Ps, if the arch supports arnt working they are probably not right for your foot type. Get the correct ones for you and they can make an enormous difference.

Thanks guys. Will try some of your ideas.

I didn't realise there were so many of us around. It is very painful isn't it and summer seems to be worse with all the sandals. Mine doesn't seem to be so bad in winter with a slight heel and enclosed boots.

I lost a stone and it went away!

I have been tolfd by my gp that I have PF but you all seem to be talking about heel pain and mine is on the ball of my foot. Is it the same thing. I get a burning pain on the ball and just under myntoes.

Mine in right under the foot in the middle. Not the heel or the toes.

I have heard steroid injections work. Anyone any experience?

I have this and nothing seems to work. I could hardly walk today, I used to run 5 miles 4 times a week and now can barely hobble. Very depressing.

It's odd isn't it that people with this condition are divided about whether it's wearing shoes that are too flat (Birkenstocks in particular) or too high that makes it flare up.

Mine seems to have gone away for the time being - not sure why