Plantar fasciitis

[dalkowski]

I decided to get better running shoes

Good shoes matter with PF. Don't expect your PF to ever improve if you're going around in cheap drug-store flip-flops, or even Chuck Taylors. Gotta have support. Merrells are excellent and even kinda style. Orthotics also help. I went in for the Dr. Scholls "custom" orthotics, around 50 bucks.

 

[I am Soma]

Good shoes matter with PF. Don't expect your PF to ever improve if you're going around in cheap drug-store flip-flops, or even Chuck Taylors. Gotta have support. Merrells are excellent and even kinda style. Orthotics also help. I went in for the Dr. Scholls "custom" orthotics, around 50 bucks.

if i wear flip-flops or crap shoes without my orthotics my feet instantly flare up. for running i recomend mizuno wave inspires. when i was in pt they gave me a list of recmd running shoes for pf and these have worked the best for me

 

[dalkowski]

if i wear flip-flops or crap shoes without my orthotics my feet instantly flare up. for running i recomend mizuno wave inspires. when i was in pt they gave me a list of recmd running shoes for pf and these have worked the best for me

New Balance or Saucony here, but I'm kinda big, with wide feet. Whatever works, is what works.

I was thrilled this summer when my sons (13 and 15) let me buy them proper running shoes instead of the shite Nikes or Vans that they've insisted on for so long because all the kids wear 'em. My oldest, a soccer player who needs good trainers, couldn't believe the difference and won't go back. For their health, it's so worth the money.

 

[I am Soma]

New Balance or Saucony here, but I'm kinda big, with wide feet. Whatever works, is what works.

I was thrilled this summer when my sons (13 and 15) let me buy them proper running shoes instead of the shite Nikes or Vans that they've insisted on for so long because all the kids wear 'em. My oldest, a soccer player who needs good trainers, couldn't believe the difference and won't go back. For their health, it's so worth the money.

saucony also rules

 

[bobdabilder]

brooks glycerin here.

 

[hennessybass]

I had it so bad I could barley walk to the bathroom in the morning!! It was horrible. I got it over the winter from wearing the same old pair of worn out boots every day. By the time spring hit, I had it bad. Real pain. I have pretty much gotten rid of it at this point, and I did it without the doctor, and without any medication, just by wearing better shoes. It's all about the shoes! Especially if you are a big guy (I'm 6'2' and 200+ lbs). That's a lot of weight on your feet. And if you are on your feet a bunch, it's even worse.

I pretty much got rid of all my old shoes. Running shoes that were 6 years old, sneakers that looked cool, but had no support, my work boots that were super old, cheap flip flops, etc... I got a nice pair of new running shoes, a good pair of "out door" shoes for hiking and yard work, a nice pair of work shoes, etc. It's a lot of money, but it was worth every penny to not feel that pain.

I know there are not the most stylish shoes, but look into a pair of Birkenstocks. I got a pair of the sandals, and always wear them around the house (Never go barfoot is a big rule for improving PF). Keep them right by the bead, and just slip them on. They are a little weird for the first few days since they are not really like normal shoes, but they WILL help fix your feet. After you break them in for a few days, they are the best shoes ever. There is absolutely no padding or cushion at all, but they feel great, and are totally comfortable. I can stand in them for hours. I also got a pair of Birkenstock desart boots that are great and I wear to work.

 

[dalkowski]

Birks are great. Love mine. Great thing about being a man of a certain age, you stop caring about fashion.

 

[marmadaddy]

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.

Sorry to hear it. I've been there recently myself. I went from running 20-30 miles per week to zilch. Tried everything: the sock above, podiatrists, cortisone shots, not running for months at a time, pool running, elliptical machines anything and everything. I'd feel like it was getting better and then standing for over 40 minutes at a gig would put me right back where I was. I hear you on the practicing sitting down. Hated it.
So frustrating.

This lasted for over two years. What finally got me back to walking pain-free and running was finding the right podiatrist. He made me an insert for the affected foot that has a piece of what looks like cork right in the spot where the pain is. You know the spot: you're running and it starts to feel like you're stepping on a golf ball. This thing is magical. I wore it for a couple of days, there was no pain. I went out for a run, did 3 very easy miles with no pain. This was over a year ago and I'm still running. I do get some pain and tightness now and again. When that happens I just back off. But I ran a 3 mile tempo run on Saturday and an easy 6 yesterday and it feels fine today. I can send you a picture of it if you'd like.

He also recommended Birkenstocks for the summer and around the house which definitely have helped. We have hardwood floors and a few minutes on those in bare feet can be a killer.

 

[MarshallNole]

Some great responses in this thread. I will try some of the suggestions but if I don't see much improvement I will go back to the podiatrist.

 

[Phalex]

It's all about support. Arch support, and heel support.

I had it really bad. And my doctor sent me to the shoe store with a prescription. That was last spring, and with a nice pair of tennis shoes. and expensive insoles, it got better..... Not great, but better.

Then last winter I got expensive insoles in my boots. By spring, it was pretty well gone.

Then, I started wearing sandals again....... Not much arch support in a pair of sandals, and it got worse. So, I got a God awful expensive pair of sandals.

It's pretty well gone now, but once in a while it flares up. Nothing like it used to be though.

 

[dalkowski]

FWIW, here's a link to the night splint I used and found effective:

http://www.healthyfeetstore.com/dar...ize Fits All&gclid=CLSo56qsn8ACFVQV7AodqToA7Q

 

[Zooberwerx]

It's all about support. Arch support, and heel support.

I had it really bad. And my doctor sent me to the shoe store with a prescription. That was last spring, and with a nice pair of tennis shoes. and expensive insoles, it got better..... Not great, but better.

Then last winter I got expensive insoles in my boots. By spring, it was pretty well gone.

Then, I started wearing sandals again....... Not much arch support in a pair of sandals, and it got worse. So, I got a God awful expensive pair of sandals.

It's pretty well gone now, but once in a while it flares up. Nothing like it used to be though.

+++. I had bilateral PF a few years back. Felt like I was walking on broken glass as I headed from the parking lot into the office. It would eventually let up but return with a vengeance. Visited my local orthopod who offered an injection in the sole of each foot with the disclaimer that it would (a) hurt like hell (b) may not help. As an alternative, we placed some not-cheap orthotic supports in my shoes and the pain disappeared within two weeks. To this day, I only wear Rockport products as they consistently provide adequate room for the addt'l arch supports. My fav's are the ProWalkers but they may have been discontinued.

Riis

 

[lefty007]

I use Pure Stride insoles and they are the best. Pair this with a comfortable shoe (I wear a lot of New Balance) and it helps a lot.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HXQ3R9U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Doctors love to inject people with steroids (so they can make more money) but they just help with the pain and do not improve the actual problem at all, and actually there are side effect long-term if used repeatedly. Some people go pain-free after the injection for months, some people don't feel any effects.

I was in acute pain when I went to the doctor last time and was really tempted to do the injection, but then did some Google reading and decided against it.

So far the Pure Stride insoles have been my solution.