Plantar Fasciitis - what helped you? Advice really welcomed.

Any ideas? Bump x

I wear supportive lace up shoes all the time, indoors as well as out and still do, though I have recovered.
I did not find the tennis ball helpful but did stretches 2 or 3 times daily which were essential for me.
I wore an ankle support at night but did not find any suitable insoles.
It did take a long time to recover.

I had it some years ago - could hardly walk.
Having self diagnosed via google, I bought some arch support insoles from Boots, about £25, which helped a lot. I wore them continuously for several weeks. That cured it and I’ve never had it since.
Maybe I was just lucky.

Husband has suffered with this a few times. He found standing on bottom stair with heels hanging over edge did help as did buying expensive formed insoles. He also lost weight which helped. I think though that which helps some people doesn’t help others. Good luck with finding something which helps.

I find wearing a compression sock helps. These are the ones I have ?

The shoes inserts worked wonders for me.

I changed to Skechers memory foam shoes, couldn't wear anything else.

I also bought a Heelease. The condition soon improved, but I had been suffering for some months so it may have been already healing itself anyway! The product has a money back guarantee so you would lose nothing by trying it.
heelease.co.uk/

I hope you find comfort soon, I remember how painful the condition was!

Mr Barmey has the same problem, apparently it lasts about 18 months and do the exercises with the ball and stretches every day. You also need to rest it if possible, no running or long walks. Mr B is a runner and this is the 2nd time in his life he has had it. Its painful but it does get better in time
He also also trying a special suppro, boot like thing that he bought and he wears it to bed at night, it would seem it helps keep the foot stretched and is less painful in the morning.

I couldn’t walk properly for months because of it. Then hobbled into a Scholl shop, bought some insoles and walked out a new woman. Since then I’ve lived in Crocs and trainers with fitsoles. I did find that exercises helped but not a tennis ball. I think that aggravates it.

Whilst having some acupuncture for an ongoing kidney problem, I mentioned this to my acupuncturist.
She said oh that’s easy I’ll do it now! Few needles in the foot and I have never had an attack since.

Sympathies, Mumski - it's so painful. Maybe you are hoping for a fast recovery? You need to be patient, it can take some time.

I tried all sorts of things, including massage, Physio, resting, elevation and ice packs - it used to throb even when I was resting. Drove me crazy.

I do think - from earlier threads on this topic - that rolling the foot over a bottle whilst sitting can help to stretch the foot and make everything less tense, doing this first thing in the morning before walking about. No long walks - forbidden - and maybe not many walks at all. Rest is important. And don't wear flat shoes, you need the support under the instep and not be bashing your sole against a hard surface in flat sandals for example. Support inside a well padded shoe may help.

Eventually for me the thing that worked was Acupuncture. Just two sessions. I've not had the problem for years and years after that. Hope you feel better soon.

Definitely not walking around barefoot. I bought some Scechers and they are great.
Also last Spring when it was really bad I purchased a night splint online, wore that in bed (very uncomfortable to start with), also used to wear it in the evening.
And if you get a tennis ball and practice rolling it with your foot when watching TV, that should help as well.

I rolled a golf ball around had some insoles made via physio and advised to not wear flat shoes but supportive shoes are important .

I had it too for what seemed like ages. I had treatment from the local physio - (paid for by me!), did the tennis/golf ball massaging at home, gently massage it when I was watching tv and bought Skechers shoes hitch changed my life - I’ve even got their slippers. My feet have been fine for ages now, but I am very careful about what I wear on my feet and only wear non Skechers footwear for short periods of time and def not if I’m walking far. Good luck. Hope you’re soon feeling more comfortable.

Sympathies mumski. I started this a few years ago and like you saw a specialist, who strapped my foot several times and even had a ultrasound scanning machine. In desperation I had shockwave therapy at the hospital but it was excruciating and I think the operator actually did further damage to the foot although the hospital wouldn't admit it. I do not recommend shockwave therapy!

I now have plantar fasciosis which is much more long term. You can Google it for details. Note: The term fasciitis means inflammation of the fascia, but plantar fasciosis is a disorder where the fascia is repeatedly stressed rather than inflamed.

I think everyone's experience and cure is different. Just try everything and I hope you get better soon.

Thank you everyone who has replied. It's ridiculously painful isn't it. I've ordered some Dr Scholls heel inserts as many of you have said this will help.
I hadn't thought about Acupuncture, but this is something to consider.

I really appreciate the time you have all taken to reply x

The only thing that worked for me was a steroid injection. Very painful for a few seconds and you have to rest it for 48 hours. But it worked instantly!

Insoles is the only real answer to this problem. Apparently, plantar fasciitis doesn’t respond well to any other treatments. I’ve never had any more problems since wearing the insoles. A small heel on your shoes can also help.
Hope it helps.

I had it on and off for a few years, I put it down to giving up work and no longer wearing high heels, flat walking shoes and wellies. I put heel raisers in my wellies which helped and also bought hotters walking trainers, also vionic beach shoes recently. It’s just about gone, I’ve heard the stretching over a step helps. Best of luck xx

Mine was caused by being on my feet a lot at work and wearing completely flat shoes. And walking sandals that were very hard. and flat. The insoles I bought were half insoles but I don’t think they make them now.

For ages my husband suffered badly from this, but an osteopath sorted him out in one session.

I've just managed to get rid of my plantar fasciitis. Took about six weeks.

I bought a good pair of insoles (get recommended ones), and wore them continuously, in the house and outside. I normally go barefoot at home but wore flat shoes with the insoles. It gradually got better. I usually walk about 4 or 5 miles a day, but stopped doing that and just walked as much as I needed to for daily life, shopping etc.

I'm not sure whether to keep wearing the insoles as a preventative measure? Anyone know?

I had a steroid injection after months of pain. It was not pleasant - but did the trick. I now always wear shoes with some sort of heel even my slippers.

I've had Plantar Fasciitis a couple of times. I tried various exercises from the Physiotherapist, different anti-inflammatories and painkillers, special insoles from the Podiatrist......nothing worked. Then, I had a steroid injection, and it worked like magic after a couple of days.

What infection would you be at risk of??? I'd insist on having the injection.