Plantar fasciitus

[rbljack]

Ive been dealing with this crap in both feet since my solo backpack hunt back in November. Hurts like hell and have been trying all the treatments discussed above. Being that I do lawn care every day as a part time job, staying off my feet isn't exactly an option. Im wearing inserts and trying to avoid walking around barefoot and stretching regularly. Some days hurt more than others.....and damn I just want this crap to go away, but from reading, its a long term issue.

 

[PTArcher1]

Plantar fasciitis can be a very frustrating problem. It essentially comes on when the stress placed on the fascia exceeds its ability to handle said stress. This can be the result of tightness, weakness, and/or an excessive increase in activity.

Initial treatment needs to focus on reducing the stress on the fascia (such as arch supports, more supportive shoes, taping, activity modification, etc), and pain control ( ice, pain relievers, massage, needling, acupressure, etc).

The next phase (often can be done concurrent with the initial treatment depending on the severity of the pain) then involves addressing the causative factors such as flexibility and strength issues. Flexibility primarily involves calf stretching and plantar fascia stretching, and possibly the use of a night splint such as the previously mention Strassburg sock. Strengthening primarily involves the muscles of the foot (intrinsics). Toe curls, picking up marbles, and short foot exercises are all good here. Also, as long as it doesn't cause pain, going barefoot or walking in sand are great strengthening exercises for the foot.

Keep in mind, the more you support your foot, with orthotics, very supportive shoes, etc, the less stress you place on all structures of the foot-including the plantar fascia. While this is necessary in the acute, painful stage, it is counter productive in the long haul. Increased support means your own support structures are doing less and therefore getting weaker-or at least not stronger. This is easily seen in cultures that don't wear shoes, where the incidence of plantar fasciitis is near 0%.

That said, if you are going to be doing a lot of hiking on rugged terrain, wearing a good supportive boot and possibly a good insole/orthotic may be a good preventative move, but not something to use on a daily, year round basis.

Best of luck to all, been there myself.

 

[_Scooter_]

I started having really bad plantar fasciitis shorty after I started working 12 hour shifts as an RN 15 years ago. Tried everything. Then I simply changed the brand of shoes I was wearing. I had worn New Balance sneakers for years without a problem so I was thinking it was the shoes. Switched to a different brand and problem was solved.

Contrary to what many recommend as far as getting a shoe with more arch support, I went to a shoe that had NO arch support. A few years later figured I'd give the New Balance another shot and low and behold, a few days later starting having the same symptoms again.

Bottom line is you'll get a lot of suggestions from others sho have suffered with plantar fasciitis, but trial and error will most likely be the only way you figure out what works for you.

 

[John Henry1]

I had it bad for 3 years, one of my hunting partners in elk camp is a PT and he performed the Graston technique while in MT hunting and with in 10 days had me straight. Haven’t had it since.