Plantar Fasciitis strikes again

I first got plantar fasciitis back when I was working in biology research, because I’d spend long hours standing and walking around my workbench while doing assays. I had sneakers on, but standing for four hours at a stretch, twice a day, and no opportunity to sit because of the nature of the assays, was tough on my feet.

Well, it’s back again although not as bad as before, because I’m breaking into my new Vibram FiveFinger shoes and with my flat feet and old plantar fasciitis injury, I should have eased into the shoes even slower than what they recommend. Ah well, hindsight and all that.

Luckily it’s not bad, and I have a book, Fixing Your Feet by John Vonhof (Ignore the hideous cover of the foot sticking out at you.) It’s a really awesome book and it gives good advice and stretches and exercises for plantar fasciitis (assuming it’s not too severe).

So I’ve been doing the stretches, icing my feet, doing a combo ice/heat, and also eliminate (for now) the running in my Vibram’s, although I did go for a short walk today. I’m also doing the exercises, although MAN they’re boring and tough and just blech. (Whine, whine, whine.) I’m also rolling a golf ball under my foot in a massage which actually feels quite nice.

Any of you had plantar fasciitis?

Comments

Anonymous said…

I'm suffering from it right now. Been going on most of a year, although it is finally showing signs of improving. Sometimes the sharp pain almost takes your breath away!

Fri May 11, 10:27:00 AM 2012

Gwynne said…

Ouch! Hope it goes away soon.

Fri May 11, 10:30:00 AM 2012

Victoria Bylin said…

Hey, Camy! You have my heartfelt sympathy. I went down that road about eight years ago and right now the PF is trying to come back. The first time, I let it go way too long and ended up in physical therapy, which frankly, didn't do much. A doctor told me it was self-limiting and would go away in about a year. That's about what it took. But oh my. It hurt terribly. Mine started with Christmas shopping . . . blech!

Hope you feel better soon.

Fri May 11, 11:13:00 AM 2012

Mimi said…

Camy - I feel your pain - literally. I have had PF for 12 years. I did PT about 11 years ago for 3 months and it went into remission for 9 years. Well, it's been back for the last 2 years and it's no fun. I found that my Vibrams actually helped the pain. And rolling an iced water bottle under my feet helps a lot too. And the exercises. I can walk now but can't run. May never be able to run again. I hope yours starts feeling better soon.

Fri May 11, 05:31:00 PM 2012

Camy Tang said…

Thanks for the encouragement and tips, guys! I have been trying the stretching exercises recommended in the book, and I also ordered one of those Strassburg socks (recommended in the book) which is supposed to help heal the PF faster. Here's the one I got in case anyone's interested: http://is.gd/N7ty0l

The reviews of the sock have been pretty positive, most of them. One person was pain free after 2 months. I think it helps quicken the healing if the plantar isn't relaxed at night or something like that. When I get mine I'll blog about it!

Fri May 11, 10:24:00 PM 2012

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