Anonymous wrote:Haven't read the whole thread but OP and PPs you guys are going to love my story - I hope this helps someone.
TL;DR = Crocs and strength training/whole body conditioning fixed my nasty PF:
I was a runner who got plantar fasciitis about a year ago. It started off mild and I immediately stopped running. But then, even with no running at all, over a period of weeks, it started getting bad - like, limping around all day bad. Like, can't put weight on my foot bad.
I consulted my physicians Dr. DCUM and Dr. Google and tried (in order):
rest - no working out, just walking (when I could) (this period of resting ended up lasting 8 months...)
2 minute long wall stretches
writing the alphabet every morning with my sore foot before getting out of bed
compression socks
the boot you sleep in at night
special plantar fasciitis slippers - Vionic brand
a bunch of Iboprofin to try to knock it down and out with antiinflammatories
hot soaks
those balls you rub on your foot
walking barefoot
wearing sneakers more (but just wearing sneakers hurt...sigh...)
going to a special sports podiatrist (Dr. wanted to do electromagnetic therapy which I declined, b/c of $$ and results not proven, a little too woo-woo for me)
ice soaks
THEN in desperation I finally tried:
1) Crocs and 2) saying screw it, I love working out and all this sitting around certainly hasn't worked, I'm just going to strength train through the pain.
I made a trek to the Crocs store. Instant relief.
And after 1 month of strength training (whole body - planks, chest presses, bicep curls, squats, rows, lunges, leg lifts, sit ups, etc.) my foot felt waaaay better. After 2 months foot pain was gone.
First time I ran again - 1/2 mile - I held my breath. No pain! That was 2 months ago. I kept up the Croc-wearing and strength training religiously. I only do light stretches (35 seconds each pose) after runs.
Fast forward to today - I've been running 3 to 5 miles 3x a week for the past few weeks. With nary a twinge in my foot before, during, or after the runs. YAY!
I wear my ugly Crocs EVERYWHERE. Previously I mostly wore Keds.
To conclude: THERE IS HOPE FELLOW PLANTAR FASCIITIS SUFFERERS! Good luck cracking the code. What worked for others didn't work for me, and what worked for me might not work for you. But keep trying!
That’s funny. I can’t wear my crocs long because they aren’t very supportive.