[Help] Plantar Faciitis

[Scappa]

As with many hardy perennials, cut back hard in the Autumn. Mulch well over winter and expect vigorous growth by spring

 

[W3 BHA]

Having just seen the thread on Gout ....

... does anyone have experience of fixing Plantar Faciitis?

I've got it in both feet and it's ruining my golf, and general walking about and standing ....
any practical advice great fully received.

I have suffered from this for years and tried all sorts! (NOT Basetts!)

Properly made, but expensive, insoles DO help a lot.

I have been told by the consultant that when you sleep at night with your foot straight out any healing is in that position. That is why you get such pain when you first get out of bed - because you are now 'breaking' the repair by moving from a straight out position to a 90 degree position. I bought (sadly, in the U.S.) a 90 degree night splint which works wonders in eliminating that morning pain. However, 4/5 years ago I went private and was treated with a new electric machine. I can't remember what it was called. It seemed to fire electricty along the line of the plantar and was extremely painful while the 30 minute treatment was being carried out (by the same consultant I saw on the NHS - just that the NHS wouldn't cover it). I had six treatments at weekly intervals, each one costing about £120. It was expensive but...that day to this...no more PF! Worth EVERY penny! Good luck.

 

[Jam The Man]

I think it was probably me who started a thread about this in October last year.
The doc told me I’d be suffering for up to 18 months, worst case scenario.

I tried insoles and a special sock with limited success, but what started to help initially was a spikey ball about the size of a tennis ball, rolling along the underside of my feet.
However, the absolute game changer for me came after 6 months of pain, when I bought some Skechers Men's Go Walk Arch Fit shoes.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skechers-Mens-Walk-Arch-Iconic/dp/B08CZDX5S7/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=skechers%2Barch%2Bfit%2Bmens%2Bgo%2Bwalk&qid=1627725186&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1

Touch wood I’ve now been pain free for two months.

 

[Fiskmås]

Walking without shoes and slippers. No, don’t adjust your screen, you read that correctly. Being barefoot is really good for you and helps strengthen the muscles in your foot and lower legs. I transitioned into minimalist footwear a few years ago after suffering running injuries (shin splints and planter fasciitis) and haven’t had any issues since. Digressing slightly, but the book ‘Born to Run’ explores how the author, suffering from planter fasciitis himself, begins to transition away from all the unnecessary padding and confinement of modern shoes to a more natural way of running and walking. It may sound like a load of hippy nonsense but it worked for me!

I think the most important thing is to first figure out if you're over pronating or not. I can absolutely buy the benefits of walking barefoot or with minimalistic footwear, and I'd love to give it a go in the future.

But if it turns out the Plantar Faciitis is a result of over pronating (which is quite common, especially if you've put on a few pounds), then walking barefoot in my experience is the last thing you want to do. Then it's all about supporting the arches to stop the stress from "wrong angles" in your lower legs (which led to extreme shin splints as well in my case) while building up the strenght.

I'm very curious about the book you mentioned, might have to pick it up to see if it contradicts everything I've been taught over the years.

 

[Weststander]

Quality trainers simply with soft cushioning soles are a great help, a game changer.

(For PF, specialist trainers dealing with over pronation or supination are a far less important matter. Thank you to a great physio for guiding me on that).

 

[phoenix]

Having just seen the thread on Gout ....

... does anyone have experience of fixing Plantar Faciitis?

I've got it in both feet and it's ruining my golf, and general walking about and standing ....
any practical advice great fully received.

I had it for about 6 months and I tried the foot roller and the moulded support but when i bought these it was gone inside 2 weeks and you can use the amazon link at the top of the page. I can only say it definately worked for me and such a relief. I walk a lot of miles a week, due to various reasons.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AVIDDA-Fas...ords=plantar-fasciitis&qid=1627727623&sr=8-22
Edit

If you do decide to get these don't forget to tick the 20% off box.

Good luck with it. Its a real painful curse.

 

[Weststander]

I had this in both feet, from long distance running, about ten years ago. NHS would help me as their duty is to get you walking again and not to to aid long distance runners, so I went private. Link is below. It was money well invested.

http://www.brightonpodiatry.co.uk/

My physio highly recommended Helen Morrell about 3 years ago.

I telephoned, but her abrupt secretary said she was completely full with an existing client list and didn’t want a waiting list!

 

[Grassman]

Having just seen the thread on Gout ....

... does anyone have experience of fixing Plantar Faciitis?

I've got it in both feet and it's ruining my golf, and general walking about and standing ....
any practical advice great fully received.

Just come to the end of 2 months with it in my right foot. I ran for the first time last night - only for 10 mins though. It finally going was/is a massive relief, it was beginning to get me down (and yes I know I was probably lucky to only have it for 2 months).

For me the solution was 3 pronged. Firstly, have a decent, well supported shoe. I’m on my feet at work for 8-10 hours a day, so actually wearing a comfortable trainer was a god send.

Secondly, you need to get the inflammation down on the plantar, use ice at least twice a day on it. I also had shockwave treatment from a local chiropractor - it ain’t cheap, it hurts like hell, but has really sorted me out.

Lastly, the key to it is to understand that more often than not it’s tight calves which cause it in the first place. So stretch them out, again at least twice a day. Use a foam roller on them and get your fingers in to the tight spots! Also stretch out your toes and the tendon under the foot as it’s all connected! Remember the song, your right arm’s connected to your thigh bone, etc. (Or something like that!).

Good luck.

 

[Albion in the north]

Been suffering with it recently after a cycling accident. Vionic shoes sorted it for me. And next day delivery was a god send

 

[Templeton Peck]

Primarily, get the right footwear/inner soles and secondary, plenty of massage. They are the words of my wife who had PF a couple of years ago. From my memory it took a few months to resolve.

This. Almost word for word what the Physio said to me yesterday when diagnosing it!

 

[midnight_rendezvous]

I think the most important thing is to first figure out if you're over pronating or not. I can absolutely buy the benefits of walking barefoot or with minimalistic footwear, and I'd love to give it a go in the future.

But if it turns out the Plantar Faciitis is a result of over pronating (which is quite common, especially if you've put on a few pounds), then walking barefoot in my experience is the last thing you want to do. Then it's all about supporting the arches to stop the stress from "wrong angles" in your lower legs (which led to extreme shin splints as well in my case) while building up the strenght.

I'm very curious about the book you mentioned, might have to pick it up to see if it contradicts everything I've been taught over the years.

It’s well worth a read (the audiobook also available on audible if that appeals). It really makes you think about our feet, what they are capable of, and how modern footwear has almost become “too comfortable” to the extent where we’ve lost our connection to that part of the body.

This is also an interesting watch. Obviously taken with a pinch of salt as it’s from a company who are trying to flog you barefoot shoes but it’s still very interesting all the same. By the by, the bald guy at the start (Christopher McDougall) is the author of ‘Born to Run’

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Respect to Plantar Faciitis, was pretty impressive in his Men's 200M Semi-Final this morning

 

[Hampster Gull]

I had in both feet, lasted >1 year. Did physio, balls, shoes etc. The only thing that ultimately worked was cortisone steroid injections. Went within days. Would do in a flash if happens again.