Plantar fasciitis

[MarshallNole]

Anyone ever suffered from this (heel pain from that tendon getting inflamed)? Mine started about 9 months ago from running but I still haven't gotten rid of it even with treatment. Unfortunately, standing up while practicing bass doesn't seem to help it at all.

My question is this.. I like to practice like I'd play if I gigged so I prefer standing, however I am forced to practice while sitting down now. Anyone ever had this happen to them? Any tips on getting rid of it? Any suggestions for my practice sessions would also be appreciated. The angles are so different sitting vs standing that it takes awhile to get used to when I switch.

 

[Sav'nBass]

My daughter has this.. very painful at times.

 

[bobdabilder]

what are you doing to treat your pf? I am a distance runner and have it in my left heel. I stretch twice a day and dip my foot in an ice bucket for ten minutes at a time when it really bothers me. Occasionally I'll take ibuprofen but only when it's bad. When I play or practice bass, I stand and put the ball of my foot on a 2x4 block (laying flat) to help keep stretching my achilles.
for me, treatment is key.

Anyone ever suffered from this (heel pain from that tendon getting inflamed)? Mine started about 9 months ago from running but I still haven't gotten rid of it even with treatment. Unfortunately, standing up while practicing bass doesn't seem to help it at all.

My question is this.. I like to practice like I'd play if I gigged so I prefer standing, however I am forced to practice while sitting down now. Anyone ever had this happen to them? Any tips on getting rid of it? Any suggestions for my practice sessions would also be appreciated. The angles are so different sitting vs standing that it takes awhile to get used to when I switch.

 

[I am Soma]

had it since my HS days. if you dont treat it the pain will get to the point where you cant walk. the good thing is its super easy to treat - just have to break up the scar tissue and get some orthodics (at least in my experience). make a PT apt to make sure thats what it is and they'll show you how to break up the tissue which will be some of the most intense pain youve ever felt. after that you have to decide whether to get custom orthodics which are spendy but last a long time, or over the counter orthodics that are cheaper but dont last as long. ive had both and just prefer the over the counter orthodics as they tend to run about 50 bucks and last about 6 months plus you can buy multiples to keep in all your shoes so you arent taking them in and out. runnning was out of the question for me until i got the pain/scar tissue under control but i was able to use the eliptical machine during that time. im now back to running about 6 days a week but will have a flare up about once a year. i just take a week off running, break up the tissue, and then i bounce right back also during a flare up i use a chair at practice to give my feet a break. i'm a little over 30 y/o if that helps.

here are the orthodics i use. any running store should have them: https://www.powersteps.com/product-pages/pinnacle-maxx

let me know if you have any other questions as i have about 15 years experience with the issue lol

 

[hover]

If you take a small bottled water (the standard, 12-16oz size bottle) and fill it and put it in the freezer, then twice a day, in a seated position, roll that under your foot from the arch to the end of the heel and back to help ease the inflammation. There's no surefire cure to this, but what I've described helps, and that comes from a chiropractor. If there's no bone spurr on the heel that is. I hope there is not in your case.

 

[I am Soma]

If you take a small bottled water (the standard, 12-16oz size bottle) and fill it and put it in the freezer, then twice a day, in a seated position, roll that under your foot from the arch to the end of the heel and back to help ease the inflammation. There's no surefire cure to this, but what I've described helps, and that comes from a chiropractor. If there's no bone spurr on the heel that is. I hope there is not in your case.

+1 to this or a frozen golf ball. also stretch your calf

 

[dalkowski]

I have had PF on and off over the last three years. No fun.

Never pass up an opportunity to stretch the Achilles, calf, and hamstring (which will also support back health -- everything's connected to the hammies).

Also, massage really can help. If you're watching TV or working at your desk, take off your shoe and roll your foot around on a tennis or lacrosse ball (edit: or the water bottle or the golf ball). It feels great and will augment your stretching.

Finally, check your weight and try to lose any overage (I know, this is hard when you can't run!).

Finally finally, be patient. PF takes LOTS of time to heal.

Good luck and good health!

 

[I am Soma]

some good replies on here but you should at least make one apt to see a doctor or PT to make sure something else isnt wrong (i.e. spurs)

 

[I am Soma]

maybe we need a PF club lol

 

[dalkowski]

some good replies on here but you should at least make one apt to see a doctor or PT to make sure something else isnt wrong (i.e. spurs)

Very good point. Getting medical or legal advice off the interwebs is playing with fire. (Unless you're into that sort of thing...)

 

[I am Soma]

Very good point. Getting medical or legal advice off the interwebs is playing with fire. (Unless you're into that sort of thing...)

could always just cut off the offending limb

 

[Stealth Fighter]

I've had it a couple of times. Each time it lasted for several weeks, until it went away on its own. Due to the pain, I did stay off my feet more than usual. Good luck with yours; it can be very painful.

 

[MarshallNole]

Thanks for the replies all.

I've actually got to see a pediatrist 3 times. I'v;e had 3 injections into the tendon and it didn't cure it but did get rid of most of the pain. I have done and am doing the water bottle thing. I need to be more diligent about stretching it through. The 2x4 thing is a great idea! That way it can stay stretched while I practice.

I also have a night splint my doctor gave me to wear at night. I wear it as often as I can lately. I need to schedule another appt with the doctor but at $40 a pop I hate having to go back over and over.

 

[I am Soma]

Thanks for the replies all.

I've actually got to see a pediatrist 3 times. I'v;e had 3 injections into the tendon and it didn't cure it but did get rid of most of the pain. I have done and am doing the water bottle thing. I need to be more diligent about stretching it through. The 2x4 thing is a great idea! That way it can stay stretched while I practice.

I also have a night splint my doctor gave me to wear at night. I wear it as often as I can lately. I need to schedule another appt with the doctor but at $40 a pop I hate having to go back over and over.

geesh ive never had an injection. that many visits and no apt to PT seems kind of odd but i guess im not a doctor.

 

[bobdabilder]

I also have a brace that keeps my achiles aligned and acts as a wedge under my heal. I don't wear it a lot as the only way to make pf go away is stretching and inflammation reduction. The brace does the opposite. I would suggest googling stretches for pf and religiously doing those stretches. I've kept it in check for years by stretching and icing. I even put a coke can in an ice bucket so I can stretch while icing at the same time.
stretch, stretch, stretch is what works for me.
Good luck with it.

edit: i heard those night splints are the stuff.

Thanks for the replies all.

I've actually got to see a pediatrist 3 times. I'v;e had 3 injections into the tendon and it didn't cure it but did get rid of most of the pain. I have done and am doing the water bottle thing. I need to be more diligent about stretching it through. The 2x4 thing is a great idea! That way it can stay stretched while I practice.

I also have a night splint my doctor gave me to wear at night. I wear it as often as I can lately. I need to schedule another appt with the doctor but at $40 a pop I hate having to go back over and over.

 

[BuckeyeMike]

If you take a small bottled water (the standard, 12-16oz size bottle) and fill it and put it in the freezer, then twice a day, in a seated position, roll that under your foot from the arch to the end of the heel and back to help ease the inflammation.

This sounds like a good idea. I'll try it next time mine flares up.

Thanks, Hover

 

[bobdabilder]

that does seem odd. first thing they did with me was push me over to the pt next door.

geesh ive never had an injection. that many visits and no apt to PT seems kind of odd but i guess im not a doctor.

 

[hover]

You're very welcome...my p.f. flares up occasionally too...it's awful. Surely many have if worse, but still...this has helped me a lot of times in conjunction with anti inflammatory meds...I've also used that special sock that flexes your foot upward to stretch out the structure but it sometimes was awful to try to sleep with....but that's an option too.

 

[dalkowski]

I also have a night splint my doctor gave me to wear at night. I wear it as often as I can lately. I need to schedule another appt with the doctor but at $40 a pop I hate having to go back over and over.

I forgot to mention the night splint—HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I used one on the advice of my massage therapist, if I remember correctly, and now that you mention it, I believe it contributed significantly to my healing. Does take some getting used to at night. I would also wear it at home during the day (I work from home, so I could.)

(The night splint, for the uninitiated, holds the foot/tendon in a way that gently stretches the achilles/plantar while you sleep. At rest, the foot extends and goes pointy, which actually works against the healing process.)

 

[devinp17]

I used to have this. I wouldn't notice it very much until I started walking long distances and running. I couldn't go for hikes or play soccer or anything like that, without my heel hurting for the next 4-5 days. It was very painful. Long story short, a friend of mine told me what he thought I had, and suggested this sock to wear at night:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Since the sock was too expensive for me at the time, I decided to get better running shoes, which helped, but not completely. For some reason my Plantar Fasciitis is now gone... I'm not sure how, but with no therapy, it's gone now. I can buy crappy running shoes again!