Krista
I developed Plantar Fasciitis a year and a half ago, and I was really scared about trying to get through the rest of my life like this. It's now gone. Once in awhile, I feel it coming back and I'm able to ward it off. The doctor told me cortizone shots are commonly given but she didn't recommend it. I tried the following: Naproxen, Ibuprofen, heel cups, spenco inserts, Birkenstocks, and a stretching exercise all with no relief. I then tried sleeping with a night splint. This helped some. Finally, I went to a chiropractor for a few months (for this and other things). What finally worked was deep massage every night, and rolling my feet on one of those wooden foot massagers every night before bed. Do 5 minutes or so per foot. This was very painful at first, but I persisted at the urging of the chiroprator. He told me I wouldn't get better till I did this regularly. (Can also use golf balls, but I had trouble keeping them from rolling away! Or can freeze a bottle of water and roll your foot on that...I never tried this) Finally, I had the icing, where they made me sit with my feet in ice filled water for a certain period of time. This was excruciating, and I can't say if it contributed to my recovery or not. I also ordered specially made orthotics and was told to always wear these. My pain is now gone! If I get a glimmer of pain after walking long distances now, I rub my feet on the wooden foot massager. And the pain dissipates. I don't wear the orthotics anymore, so I don't know how much I needed those. I really think the key was the foot massager (this needs to be done deeply, if it hurts tell yourself that's because it's working! As you start to recover, it hurts less and less) Also, it was cheap! Be patient, it takes awhile. And while you're recovering, limit your amount of walking. It also helps to do ankle and calf stretches and exercises...why, I don't know, but it does help.