plantar fasciitis / knee, hip and back pain

[FertilityFairy]

Have developed plantar fasciitis after joining gym 2 months ago (seems v unfair having finally decided to get fit!) Was advised to get insoles for shoes which have done (got from specialist running shop)but since wearing them for last 2/3 weeks have developed knee, hip and major back pain on same side as affected foot. Rang a bowen technique practitioner yesterday to make an appointment (she seems to have lots of experience) and she says insoles may not help and could be exactly the wrong thing to do. Aargh - spent £50 on them! Anyway going to see her next week but in the meantime anyone got any experience?

I had very bad plantar fascitis a few years ago that went on for ages and was very painful. I also developed hip/back pain, which I think was from overcompensation on one side or the other due to foot pain. I eventually saw a consultant at the local hospital and also a chiroprator, and along with their advise and my own tricks that seemed to help, I eventually managed to manage the pain and it seemed to wear off until it was gone altogether.

This is my advice -
NEVER GO BAREFOOT - always wear a soft padded shoe/flip flop.
BUY SOME FIT FLOPS - I promise they will help.
STRETCH STRECH STRECH - the sole of your foot at every opportunity. If you do this contstantly day and night it will make a massive difference.
ROLL A CAN / USE A SCARF - roll your foot over a tin can, or put a scarf around the bottom of your foot and pull the ends EVERY TIME YOU SIT DOWN.
TAKE AND ANTI INFLAMMATORY

When I started doing these things every day, the pain was gone within 6 weeks. This was after about 18 months of pain.

Ooh thanks so much for taking the time, Paula - indeed cannot go barefoot as is too painful and had noticed stretching in the morning before getting out of bed helps so will do more of that. And already have fit flops so will get them out (even tho its peeing down in Scotland!). Many thanks again.

No probs - it soooo bloody painful isn't it? My BIL has been suffering for a while and I gave him my fitflops. He scoffed, but has not taken them off since! He said he wore to the pub last week.

My mum has this she rolls her feet over bottles of water that have been frozen, she says it helps.

Agree with posters above. I had pf very badly one summer. Chiropodist advice was
Never walk barefoot
Wear soft sole shoes ie fitflop birkenstops or crocs
Take anti inflammertary for at least two weeks
And apply ice pack for 20mins a day

Mine went within
2 weeks

Had this for about 1 year 10 years ago.
Hurt like hell when I got out of bed in the mornings or got up after sitting down on the sofa in the evenings.
It did disappear totally eventually, but once felt that walking on my tiled, cold kitchen floor was bringing back those familiar symptoms, so always try to wear slippers or something on my feet when walking on cold, unforgiving surfaces.
Just want to send a positive message that it might go away of its own accord!

Great thanks all - yes did have it once before years ago just after pregnancy and it cleared up itself after a few months. But don't remember it being so bad or the associated back pain. Will do all these things and stay calm!

I had this after weight gain in pregnancy - it has gone now after doing things like those mentioned above. I had an xray on my ankle for a different reason and could see the little bone horns in my feet - I seem to remember that they are related to it. I had heard that I would have them, but it was most odd to see them. Anyway , no problems now - even thought the little horns must still be there!! Maybe they are my devil horns (grin)

I had it for a little while too. I found it settled after doing daily and regular calf stretches and standing on the stairs resting on the step with the ball of my foot and gently dropping my heel down to stretch out my calves and the plantar fascia muscle/tendon in my foot.

Most of the above advice is good but go and see an HPC (Health Professions Council) Registered Podiatrist, preferably one experienced in Sports Injuries/Biomechanics or get a GP referral to Podiatry. I'm a Podiatrist but this is not my area, except I get PF/Heel Pain from time to time, too.

I had this for eighteen weeks before I succumbed to acupuncture, brilliant went in five weeks never to return.