Plantar Fasciitis again

I saw a podiatrist who strapped up my heel/foot with a sort of felt 'wedge' that made a huge difference. My heel is much better recently (I had been using a stick), but if it gets worse I've been advised to buy a special insole (or have one made for me, which I can't afford to do).

It is painful Rowantree and can last a long time. I'm not sure if there is any treatment which has proved successful so far. I used a compression sock and heel wedges inside my shoes. The pain has gone now but I still keep the wedges inside my shoes. Being overweight is a factor but it's a vicious circle as it's too painful to exercise much unless sitting or laying down. As mine seems to have cleared up for now I am trying to lose some weight to prevent a recurrence, it does make you feel miserable I know.

You have my sympathy Rowantree. I had Plantar for eight months last year. It became so painful I bought a wheelchair, as it was the only way I could get out with O.H. It became excrutiating.
Eventually a friend of a friend sent me details of an American Chiro who practises in North East of England. He manipulated my foot (saw him 3 times). It was amazing how quickly the pain decreased. While I am well aware it might not work for everyone I would be happy to give you his details. I dont think I am allowed to (advertise) on here I could give you details if you PM me.
Brenda

When mine was bad I wore Fitflop sandals and still have Crocs slippers, as advised by my GP. I also have gel heel supports in my normal shoes. I saw an NHS podiatrist who made some insoles for my shoes but they were useless!

I did foot exercises when I had it. Every time I sat down I rotated my foot clockwise and anticlockwise, then up and down. I was still doing the exercises well after I no longer had heel pain. ?

Thanks to all - exercises would be a good idea and I seem to recall that stretching exercises were recommended last time but I'll have to look up online which they were. I dread getting as bad as I was on a previous 'attack' when I was almost constantly popping strong painkillers and NSAIds. I'll try doing hildajenniJ's rotating ones in the meantime!
Never heard of Fitflop sandals - will look those up, also Croc slippers, but presumably sandals in the summer, not for now!
Kupari45 thanks for the suggestion but I live in the South East, so it wouldn't be feasible for me to make the journey to the North East for treatment, however good the Chiro is. I am hoping I can find someone good locally.

I don't understand why my foot feels so bruised all the time underneath the heel. Highly unpleasant, isn't it? :-(

I have this problem too, Rowantree, it is so annoying as I have little patience! I am doing exercises from You Tube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV0FDZThwDQ. I can recommend Skechers Go Walk memory foam shoes, they are so light and soft! I have slip-ons, trainers and boots, but it is very difficult to find them with non-fabric uppers, making outdoor walking a damp affair! I have also spent a fortune on numerous different gel and foam shoe inserts, none of which help much.
I hope you will improve soon

Forgot to mention that I get a bit of relief from doing the rolling exercise using a small bottle of frozen water. If you can't stand the cold, try a rolling pin or ball.

I was advised to roll a golf ball under my foot it did help I always have insoles in my footwear hope yours eases soon rowantree glad you had a good holiday bet your feet took some stick though ??

Friends son was told to sit in the evening rolling a tin of soup/ beans any tinned food and it worked. My H used the Scholls orthotics and that also worked for him.

I suffered with this a couple of years ago. Like others on here I tried everything. I even had dry needling but all to no avail. I was advised never to walk bare foot and a sturdy shoe with a low heel would be best. I bought a new pair of winter boots with a low heel and wore them most days for work. Suddenly one day I realised my foot no longer hurt. Not sure if it was the boots or just a case of time. Luckily I have not had any mor problems.

Yes the bottle of frozen water helps, I also bought some vionic sandals which though expensive seemed to support my foot well.

I sympathise with you rowantree I had this a couple of years ago it seemed to last forever then suddenly disappeared. I bought wedges from boots chemist and they did help though rather expensive. Fitflops really helped though they too are costly. They are good for your legs too apparently and I wear them a lot in summer and find them comfortable. I would recommend them. I hope yours clears up soon