Last year, I posted about having plantar fasciitis.

[raccoon]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8929405

Here’s an update.

I saw a podiatrist and got some orthotics (custom-made insoles you put into your shoes). I wear them all the time. (Oh, not in the shower, but most of the time.)

I do this exercise twice a day: I sit on the couch and put an exercise band around the part of my foot just north of the toes. I hold my leg straight and pull back until I feel a stretch in the back of my legs. I do this twice a day (morning & evening.)

I tie my shoes much looser now. I never thought they were too tight until I got my orthotics. Then I started having pain in the top of my foot. So I now tie them much looser.

Wow, what a relief….now I can take walks again. :-) :woohoo:

Maybe the things that helped me will help someone else out there in DU-land.

[LiberalLoner]

1. Thank you so much, glad your pain is gone now! I also have problems with that

and have found that arch support insoles in my shoes make all the difference in the world - that and not going barefoot for any length of time, even around the house. Now that I'm older and heavier, my arches just need more support or they start to hurt and it turns into plantar fasciitis.

I have a feeling it's a pretty common disorder among those of us of a certain age. Sigh. Oh, the joys of growing old, LOL.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Hmm.....you have just enlightened me.

I was wondering why going barefoot/ flat foot in slippers caused foot pain last year.
And why using the arch supports is crucial. Had not realized it could lead to more serous problems.

Thanks !!

[LiberalLoner]

5. Glad I could help! :) It's good to share information...now if only I could find someone with a

magic cure for my stupid rosacea bumps, LOL. Looks like I have acne around my nose and it's just the dumb rosacea. Meds help but not completely. Sigh.

[Hepburn]

7. Arch supports...

...exact opposite for me: If I wear them, I have incredible pains in my feet. Bare footed, flat sandals, etc ~~ no pain.

:shrug:

[tanyev]

3. Good for you.

Somewhere along the line I realized that my feet do better when I wear Haflingers for my around the house shoes. They're kind of like Birkenstocks with that cork/latex sole that eventually molds to your foot but is still really supportive. I keep a lookout for shoes that are more attractive but still supportive for wearing out in public, but they're not easy to find. I always have a little "Aaah" moment when I come home, kick off my work shoes and slide into the Haflingers.

[raccoon]

4. I just checked those shoes out. They aren't very attractive but they must be real comfortable. nt

[dgibby]

6. Another good stretching exercise you can do:

Stand on a step with you heels hanging off the step, slowly lower your heels until you feel the stretch, rinse and repeat until pain is relieved. Just be sure you're hanging onto something sturdy. This is very helpful and can be done without an exercise band.

[roody]

8. My plantar does well with Earth Shoes.

[Snarkoleptic]

9. My wife and I each had it about a year apart.

She went with the orthotics and I with stretching and no orthotics.
It lasted just over a year for both of us and in both cases it just sort of faded away over the course of 2-3 days.

Be well!