Plantar Fasciitis

[nofearfactor]

mine is getting better. the stretching stuff helps. and staying off of it for a bit. no more sharp pain in the heel. just feels tight now. getting old sucks...

 

[Grendel]

I use the $50 Dr. Schols inserts that they sell at WalMart in the pharmacy section. Use the foot analyzer thing and figure out which ones you need. I buy a new set for every new pair of shoes I get. If I dont use them then I can barely walk.

 

[TedKennedy]

Well, I did 6 miles on rocks and hills yesterday before pushing a mower around. I can feel it, for sure, but I'm still upright. Not gonna quit.

 

[HiredHand]

Do you have a foam roller or lacrosse ball? Lots of videos on Youtube demonstrating self-myofascial release for the calf muscles.

 

[TedKennedy]

Do you have a foam roller or lacrosse ball? Lots of videos on Youtube demonstrating self-myofascial release for the calf muscles.

Yep. The ball has helped a lot, when I went to a specific calf stretch, it helped more.

My theory is this:
There are a gazillion methods for treating PF, and different runners get different results, after trial and error.

I believe the PF pain can be due to cracking anywhere along the bottom of the foot, and stretches/treatments target a specific area, you just keep trying until you hit the right one.

I'm taking NSAIDS a couple times a day, stretching many times, and the pain is MUCH better. I plan on running again tomorrow....

 

[HiredHand]

Yep. The ball has helped a lot, when I went to a specific calf stretch, it helped more.

My theory is this:
There are a gazillion methods for treating PF, and different runners get different results, after trial and error.

I believe the PF pain can be due to cracking anywhere along the bottom of the foot, and stretches/treatments target a specific area, you just keep trying until you hit the right one.

I'm taking NSAIDS a couple times a day, stretching many times, and the pain is MUCH better. I plan on running again tomorrow....

You've probably figured this out, most people don't realize that there are different stretches for the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. It's actually possible to over stretch while doing static stretching; you don't want to statically stretch the muscle beyond where you initially begin to feel the stretch, more is not better. My thinking is that its better to increase flexiblity and strengthen the soft tissue, rather than rely on insoles or orthotics to create support because of weak calf and foot muscles.

 

[TedKennedy]

You've probably figured this out, most people don't realize that there are different stretches for the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. It's actually possible to over stretch while doing static stretching; you don't want to statically stretch the muscle beyond where you initially begin to feel the stretch, more is not better. My thinking is that its better to increase flexiblity and strengthen the soft tissue, rather than rely on insoles or orthotics to create support because of weak calf and foot muscles.

We're on the same page. I find it hard to believe I have weak calf muscles, though. I think this started from too much hill running with poor arch supports. (I have VERY high arch on my right foot)

 

[HiredHand]

Couple more things to try.

http://www.ohio.edu/people/hoffmar1/Injury Prevention/footDrills.pdf

http://youtu.be/0Hbh3p0nFYQ