Plantar Fasciitis: How did you get rid of it?

Hi Molly, I moved your question to this discussion about plantar fasciitis. I did this so you can connect with other members like @loribmt @peggyn @cobweb @auntieoakley @helennicola and others. I, too, have had plantar fasciitis (twice) and posted my experience above. Each time it took months to resolve.

I discussed the problem with my primary care provider and with a physical therapist. Each offered exercises that helped. I think my issue originated from breaking in new running shoes. My PCP is also a runner and she suggested having 2 pairs of runners and alternating. That also seems to help.

How long have you had the sore arch and heel, Molly?

Hi Molly, I have had varying degrees of this for a couple years. My podiatrist said the hallmark is when it hurts after being off of it, then after about 5 minutes it kinda stops hurting. I am sorry to hear you might have this. Most of the people I know have gotten rid of it with stretching and rest. I do it all and sometimes it is better and sometimes it gets worse. This is probably due to the birth defect in my feet, and the resulting bone removals. I find taping, icing, and stretching it get better, but the peak gel inserts really help for daily barn chores. Have you seen a doctor yet? How long have you been hurting?

my inserts really helped, plus a tennis ball on the floor to roll on. Leaning against a wall and before long i was good. BUT i must keep up the exercise.

I've had a sore arch and heel ever since I was walking long distances and measuring my walks. I've had a sore foot and tried to ignore it, it had gone away during the day, very painful in the mornings. Now it hurts most of the day. Thank you for posting your remedies, I've tried the exercises, they are already working. I like the frozen water bottle idea, I'll try that. And I may look into those steroid injections.

I think mine started when I was walking long distances in inexpensive shoes. I won't post the brand name, they were athletic brand, but inexpensive, and my heel started hurting, and has hurt on and off ever since. That was several years ago. Recently, my orthopedic shoes are getting older, I wonder if I'm walking alot and my shoes are worn out? As a child I wore arch supports, I'm guessing I have flatter feet than other people. Perhaps a doctor visit is needed?

I had severe plantar fasciitis for years. Exercises and stretches helped, plus an orthotic. What did the most good were night splints - they keep the foot in the correct position during sleep. The one I purchased was Thermoskin Plantar FXT. I wore them for years, and just stopped recently, as I'm not bothered by that condition anymore. Good luck. PF really is a pain!

In reply to @Erinmfs and @jakedduck1…… crawl to that dark chocolate if you need to!!!!!! Btw, take it easy and get your foot checked would be my advise if it doesn’t settle down in a few days…..

I wanted to share than mine is going away! I've been stretching my calf especially. I've also been resting, not so much walking. And it's going away.

@Erinmfs i suffered with severe plantar fasciitis with no relief for many months. I tried physiotherapy for a long time with no help, and was eventually referred to a specialist who custom-made me a pair of orthotic insoles. They were a big expense for me at that time, but I was desperate for help. To my great joy, I finally found almost instant relief. Good luck in finding your miracle!

My Dad was a postman, back in the day when they walked miles on all kinds of hard surfaces. He knew he needed to protect his knees and feet at all costs, so most of his uniform allowance was spent on good shoes, and Mom patched his uniforms until they were disreputable.

He had a saying about shoes, which he faithfully applied to us 6 kids and my Mom too "After just so long, the goodness is gone!" I bet the largest expense after food in our household was keeping us all in shoes. When I met my husband, the only pair of shoes he ever had that weren't the cheapest available were his combat boots, and at 24 he was already having foot and back problems. We fixed that in a hurry!

Now, as a retiree and bare foot lover, I KNOW better and sometimes still get into trouble. Last summer with Covid, the only time I traded flip-flops for decent shoes was to take daily walks. Wasn't doing much so I got by. But this summer, resuming errands and activities, but still lazy & wearing flip-flops? Wow! Sore feet, angry knees, aching back, and ta-da! the beginnings of fasciitis, which I have avoided since I stopped wearing higher heels 15 years ago.

I switched to brand new, properly fitting athletic shoes for errands and yard work, put the orthotics back in my well-fitted, buckle on sandals, and started wearing "house shoes" (Skechers Memory Foam). I put the tennis ball under my computer chair to use every little while. 3 weeks later - fasciitis is gone, knees are happier.

Sue