-- vja4Him

We had a thread on this some time ago, where we went into all the exercises.

I found a photo which is similar to the model I still wear, link is below.

Sharon

Below is the link to the other thread. I encourage you to try as many things as you can to get the PF to go away. Stretching, exercises, massage. I don't think going barefoot helps at all. Stretch your feet before you get out of bed.

Sorry you have this. I finally got rid of it and always stretch my feet because I definitely don't want this again ever!

Best shoes around, and most spine docs will tell you the same thing about the New Balance shoes.

When I first developed plantar fasciitis, I went to a podiatrist and had some custom orthotics made. He also gave me some thick heel pads made out of orthotic felt. Problem solved within a very short time, and it hasn't returned.

When the custom orthotics eventually broke down, he had retired, and I tried a pair of orthotics from Archcrafters. (These are the ones where they send you a box to make a mold of your feet.) I've been using them for many many years now and I think they are just as good as the custom ones from the podiatrist.

I'm just a satisfied customer - no connection with the company :o)

FYI, if you are looking for brands with good arch support, try Zappos.com (even if you don't buy from them). They carry a lot of brands, and there is a lot of customer feedback on the site. One of the categories that people use to rate shoes is level of arch support. I've used that info to steer away from brands that probably are not even worth looking at for my needs.

Hope this helps.

Susan

I've used custom orthotics that worked very well, but have been using SuperFeet green orthotics for awhile now with very good results. They're $35 at REI, Onlineshoes.com and Footsmart.com.

My favorite running/walking shoes are ones by Brooks and New Balance. You just have to try them and see what works.

I'm with Sharon, too - I never wear flat shoes. I heard this recommendation from several doctors, too. Of course, if a bit of a heel makes something else on your body hurt, you have to do what works.

A couple more tips I've learned over the years from doctors and from experience:

1. Never walk barefoot, not even to the bathroom in the middle of the night. I use a pair of Earth Shoes sandals as slippers, others use Birkenstocks, Clarks, Dr. Scholl's - whatever supports your foot. A sports medicine doctor told me that when you walk barefoot with PF, you're just re-injuring the foot.

2. Before you ever get out of bed in the morning, spend a couple minutes stretching. Here's what I do, but anything that stretches the Achilles tendon helps -

Lie flat on bed. Point right toes, then lift right foot a couple inches and hold to a count of twenty. Repeat with left. Then do it again, but bend the foot as much as you can instead of pointing it. I do this five time through. This helps your knees as well as your feet.

This is in addition to ice massage and anti-noninflammatory medications.

For PF stand on a step, one leg at a time, slowly lower your heel, and concentrate on what you are doing. Do this one heel after the other for about 5 minutes a number of times a day. Think as you slowly lower that heel, and feel the stretch in your calf, then do the other one.

I was told that the problem is a leg problem, and the muscles tense and tighten, you have a domino effect until it goes down to the foot. The fix is in the leg, but the immediate repair is what I just mentioned.

According to the Podiatrist, I have a high arch, all hammer toes, and high instep. I need a heel on the shoe, and a shank in the center to keep my foot from pronating. I also need arch support. Asics are my best athletic shoe, and Ecco is my best day shoe.

Sammy

I personally HATE wearing sneakers/athletic shoes, I always feel stifled in them. But they are neccessary for excercise and are really the most supportive style we can get. Just not always appropriate for every occasion. I don't like unsupportive flipflops either, or anything else that's completely flat like those trendy ballet-style shoes you see everywhere. I have to have a little heel or I feel like I'm tilting backwards and the PF bugs me that much more. I can't wear really big heels, never could, but I do notice a sustaintial amount of relief when I'm wearing at least ~1/2 inch to an inch lift. And suprisingly on the rare occasions I do go out for a formal event, I'm actually quite comfortable in shoes with a 2-2 1/2 inch heel, and I actually walk like a normal person in them instead of limping and shuffling along... until I stand in them too long and my toes start killing me. That's why they're sit-down shoes!

Unfortunately, everyone's feet are different, so you'll have to try a few out to see which ones work best for you. Recommendations? New Balance, Clarks, Easy Spirit, Ecco and Birkenstocks always seem to make it on the top choices list, so they would be a good place to start. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg (hah) on your shoes, but don't go for the el cheapos, sometimes you really do get what you pay for! Find out which styles are working best for you, get a couple to start out with, then go bargain shopping. Check for sales, internet specials (on shoes you've already tested out or which have good return policies) and there's always the outlet mall! And remember the cushioning/support wears out! Fitness shoes should always be replaced every 6 months... not that you can't salvage the older ones for yard work and messy jobs.

If you have other symptoms of thyroid disease..weight gain, fatigue, etc. - you should see your doctor. PF often goes away once the thyroid has been treated.

IF you have a lot of thyroid symptoms, but have a normal TSH, insist that your doctor run a thyroid antibodies test.

Someone else mentioned that there's NO one answer for PF--everyone's feet are built differently, so it's impossible for anyone not familiar with your feet to be able to 'prescribe' the perfect shoe. Your podiatrist should be able to. But this is the one field of medicine where I truly believe it makes a difference whether you go to a man or woman. My pod. is a woman and she understands not only feet, but women's fashion issues, and her recommendations have been life (or foot-) savers for me.

I will say this--I know New Balance is often recommended for those who suffer PF. I bought 2 expensive pairs of them and cannot wear them for more than about an hour at a time. Another difference? I've seen a lot of PF sufferers recommend Birkenstocks--a shoe my pod. says NEVER to wear. So as you can see, your best bet is to follow your own dr's advice. HOpe you get relief soon. The excercises and meds your dr. will prescribe are probably the best thing you can do for the condition. Really helps me.