Frustrating heel pain

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Permalink Reply by cherelynn hegarty on April 8, 2010 at 12:35pm

my pf started like yours, and i have had it now since september 2009, i,ve had pain on a daily basis, as my job involved, like yours ,standing for long periods of time. i wish know that when it first started to hurt, that i took my weight of my feet, it might not then have turned cronic, and i,d have been able to have reversed the process. try to, when it starts hurting, tapeing it up, this may help any splitting that may accur, from getting any worse..good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Devaney on April 28, 2010 at 9:32am

Many times plantar fasciitis is caused by tight muscles in the calves. The muscles in your calves attach to the heel via the achilles tendon. If the muscles are tight they pull excessively on the heel which can result in achilles tendinitis as well as the type of heel pain that you are experiencing. I regularly massage my calves using a lacrosse ball to seek out any sore spots commonly known as trigger points. When you find them you'll know because it is likely that they are quite painful. The amazing thing about trigger points is you don't know you have them unless you go looking. My approach is to sit on a hard surface table like a laminate table. Place the ball mid calf and place your arms behind you. Raise yourself up a bit and roll your calf over the ball slowly. When you find the sore spots pause at that site for 30 sec to a minute until the soreness eases. Proceed in small increments searching out other sore spots and pause on them as well. I then basically roll the whole length of the lower leg from the achilles up to the knee. If a lacrosse ball is too painful try a tennis ball to start out with. Over time the soreness should dissipate as the health of the tissue improves. I would be very careful about stretching at this point because stretching a tight muscle is counterproductive. Step 1 is to improve the tissue and then stretch. As the tisssue improves the pull that is occuring at you heel should dissipate and thus the symptoms should dissipate as well. I think if you go to youtube and search for trigger points calves you might find some further guidance on this treatment. Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by Bari Bell on April 28, 2010 at 11:18am

I purchased arch trainers, which raise my fallen arches, from Ideal Feet and now the plantar fascitis has been gone for months now. I am a chef and a culinary student, so I stand 8-12 hours almost every day. I HIGHLY recommend Ideal Feet arch trainers, which cost about $300, but WELL WORTH IT!! Before them, I thought I would have to change careers. Also, I had already tried an orthopedic therapist and exercises for about 8 months. I also went to a physical therapist. I also tried other arch supports. I wasted a ton of money!! Nothing worked, except the arch trainers.


Michael Devaney said:

Many times plantar fasciitis is caused by tight muscles in the calves. The muscles in your calves attach to the heel via the achilles tendon. If the muscles are tight they pull excessively on the heel which can result in achilles tendinitis as well as the type of heel pain that you are experiencing. I regularly massage my calves using a lacrosse ball to seek out any sore spots commonly known as trigger points. When you find them you'll know because it is likely that they are quite painful. The amazing thing about trigger points is you don't know you have them unless you go looking. My approach is to sit on a hard surface table like a laminate table. Place the ball mid calf and place your arms behind you. Raise yourself up a bit and roll your calf over the ball slowly. When you find the sore spots pause at that site for 30 sec to a minute until the soreness eases. Proceed in small increments searching out other sore spots and pause on them as well. I then basically roll the whole length of the lower leg from the achilles up to the knee. If a lacrosse ball is too painful try a tennis ball to start out with. Over time the soreness should dissipate as the health of the tissue improves. I would be very careful about stretching at this point because stretching a tight muscle is counterproductive. Step 1 is to improve the tissue and then stretch. As the tisssue improves the pull that is occuring at you heel should dissipate and thus the symptoms should dissipate as well. I think if you go to youtube and search for trigger points calves you might find some further guidance on this treatment. Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Romeo on May 1, 2010 at 5:47am

I have found a cure. Now this will seem strange because I started with a wood working tool in my garage. So---First you will need to buy a standard shop tool at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware. Irwin is a trusted name the Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps are unique in their flexibility and quick operation. The have little rubber pads that are important because you will apply them to your heel.

So, buy a set you will use them later or if you own one this next part is easy. I used a IRWIN Quick-Grip 512QC 12" Clamp/Spreader. On your heel and in different spots clamp your foot at night and in the morning for a few minutes longer if you can. Have the clamp squeeze high and low and spend some time finding different spots on your heel. First you will notice that the pain goes away and you will have a short relief. Next a good mechanical foot massager with a squeezing mechanism in the center Reflex Roller Massager is what I use. Massage your foot place it under your desk at work. Do it frequently.

My pain was gone in a week. My foot was healed and I started walking miles again! By the way I use Echo shoes as they give me the best support. You will be healed! Joe Romeo

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on May 3, 2010 at 8:57pm

my pain started in the mornings when i got up and then after i had been sitting and try and get up but now it hurts all the time a nite splint helped me forawhile I got my splint at a running store eventually i had to get cortizone shots but they have only lasted a few weeks my advice to you is stretch stretch all the time all day long so it doesnt get as bad as mine i feel your pain good luck

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Permalink Reply by Joe Romeo on May 4, 2010 at 5:48am

Kelly I have found a cure. Now this will seem strange because I started with a wood working tool in my garage. So---First you will need to buy a standard shop tool at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware. Irwin is a trusted name the Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps are unique in their flexibility and quick operation. The have little rubber pads that are important because you will apply them to your heel.

So, buy a set you will use them later or if you own one this next part is easy. I used a IRWIN Quick-Grip 512QC 12" Clamp/Spreader. On your heel and in different spots clamp your foot at night and in the morning for a few minutes longer if you can. Have the clamp squeeze high and low and spend some time finding different spots on your heel. First you will notice that the pain goes away and you will have a short relief. Next a good mechanical foot massager with a squeezing mechanism in the center Reflex Roller Massager is what I use. Massage your foot place it under your desk at work. Do it frequently.

My pain was gone in a week. My foot was healed and I started walking miles again yesterday a 5 mile walk! By the way I use Echo shoes as they give me the best support. You will be healed! Joe Romeo

Kelly said:

my pain started in the mornings when i got up and then after i had been sitting and try and get up but now it hurts all the time a nite splint helped me forawhile I got my splint at a running store eventually i had to get cortizone shots but they have only lasted a few weeks my advice to you is stretch stretch all the time all day long so it doesnt get as bad as mine i feel your pain good luck

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Permalink Reply by Joe Romeo on May 4, 2010 at 6:53am

I have found a cure....well a cure for me. Now this will seem strange because I started with a wood working tool in my garage. So---First you will need to buy a standard shop tool at Home Depot, Lowes or Ace Hardware. Irwin is a trusted name the Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps are unique in their flexibility and quick operation. The have little rubber pads that are important because you will apply them to your heel.

So, buy a set you will use them later or if you own one this next part is easy. I used a IRWIN Quick-Grip 512QC 12" Clamp/Spreader. On your heel and in different spots clamp your foot at night and in the morning for a few minutes longer if you can. Have the clamp squeeze high and low and spend some time finding different spots on your heel. Squeeze it as much as you can bare the pressure.

First you will notice that the pain goes away and you will have a short relief. Next a good mechanical foot massager with a squeezing mechanism in the center Reflex Roller Massager is what I use. Massage your foot place it under your desk at work. Do it frequently.

My pain was gone in a week. My foot was healed and I started walking miles again yesterday a 5 mile walk! By the way I use Echo shoes as they give me the best support. You will be healed! Joe Romeo

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Permalink Reply by Lee Yaeger on May 5, 2010 at 10:34pm

I have had PF for about 10 years. What really worked for me was the night splints. If I wear them every night, I don't have heel pain. The only time I get pain is if I stand on hard ground for more than a few hours. I also wear Superfeet insoles in my shoes & they are great.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Sundberg on May 6, 2010 at 11:41am

I teach too and experienced the same thing. It started in one foot in the arch and was there for about a year. Hard to work out and I teach and workout everyday! Then when it finally left that foot, it showed up in the heal of the other. I find it feels better if I wear high heals once or twice a week to stretch it out. But, hate to say it - it hurts pretty much all the time even though I wear custom inserts. I ice it and have my husband rub it out and it seems to help a little bit.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Romeo on May 6, 2010 at 12:54pm

Andrea,

I have found a cure. Now this will seem strange because I started with a wood working tool in my garage. So---First you will need to buy a standard shop tool at Home Depot, Lowe's or Ace Hardware. Irwin is a trusted name the Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps are unique in their flexibility and quick operation. The have little rubber pads that are important because you will apply them to your heel.

So, buy a set you will use them later or if you own one this next part is easy. I used a IRWIN Quick-Grip 512QC 12" Clamp/Spreader. On your heel and in different spots clamp your foot at night and in the morning for a few minutes longer if you can. Have the clamp squeeze high and low and spend some time finding different spots on your heel. First you will notice that the pain goes away and you will have a short relief. Next a good mechanical foot massager with a squeezing mechanism in the center Reflex Roller Massager is what I use. Massage your foot place it under your desk at work. Do it frequently.

My pain was gone in a week. My foot was healed and I started walking miles again! I did a six mile walk just yesterday. When I came home at night I clamped my heel again. Even though I was experiencing no pain i did it as a precautionary measure. I think the problem is that my heel started to harden as I got older and the clamping softens the tissue. Just a thought. Try the clamp and get a massager that squeezes your heel. By the way I use Echo shoes as they give me the best support.

You will be healed!

Joe Romeo

Andrea Sundberg said:

I teach too and experienced the same thing. It started in one foot in the arch and was there for about a year. Hard to work out and I teach and workout everyday! Then when it finally left that foot, it showed up in the heal of the other. I find it feels better if I wear high heals once or twice a week to stretch it out. But, hate to say it - it hurts pretty much all the time even though I wear custom inserts. I ice it and have my husband rub it out and it seems to help a little bit.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea Sundberg on May 6, 2010 at 3:12pm

I will try that. I did notice that when I have someone message it really hard it hurts,then burns and then the pain is gone. Clamps is worth trying, thanks

Joe Romeo said:

Andrea,

I have found a cure. Now this will seem strange because I started with a wood working tool in my garage. So---First you will need to buy a standard shop tool at Home Depot, Lowe's or Ace Hardware. Irwin is a trusted name the Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps are unique in their flexibility and quick operation. The have little rubber pads that are important because you will apply them to your heel.

So, buy a set you will use them later or if you own one this next part is easy. I used a IRWIN Quick-Grip 512QC 12" Clamp/Spreader. On your heel and in different spots clamp your foot at night and in the morning for a few minutes longer if you can. Have the clamp squeeze high and low and spend some time finding different spots on your heel. First you will notice that the pain goes away and you will have a short relief. Next a good mechanical foot massager with a squeezing mechanism in the center Reflex Roller Massager is what I use. Massage your foot place it under your desk at work. Do it frequently.

My pain was gone in a week. My foot was healed and I started walking miles again! I did a six mile walk just yesterday. When I came home at night I clamped my heel again. Even though I was experiencing no pain i did it as a precautionary measure. I think the problem is that my heel started to harden as I got older and the clamping softens the tissue. Just a thought. Try the clamp and get a massager that squeezes your heel. By the way I use Echo shoes as they give me the best support.

You will be healed!

Joe Romeo

Andrea Sundberg said:

I teach too and experienced the same thing. It started in one foot in the arch and was there for about a year. Hard to work out and I teach and workout everyday! Then when it finally left that foot, it showed up in the heal of the other. I find it feels better if I wear high heals once or twice a week to stretch it out. But, hate to say it - it hurts pretty much all the time even though I wear custom inserts. I ice it and have my husband rub it out and it seems to help a little bit.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Romeo on May 6, 2010 at 4:44pm

you will experience some pain at first but the clamp followed by a roller massage will do the trick. I was up in walking in a week.

Joe Romeo said:

Andrea,

I have found a cure. Now this will seem strange because I started with a wood working tool in my garage. So---First you will need to buy a standard shop tool at Home Depot, Lowe's or Ace Hardware. Irwin is a trusted name the Irwin Quick-Grip Clamps are unique in their flexibility and quick operation. The have little rubber pads that are important because you will apply them to your heel.

So, buy a set you will use them later or if you own one this next part is easy. I used a IRWIN Quick-Grip 512QC 12" Clamp/Spreader. On your heel and in different spots clamp your foot at night and in the morning for a few minutes longer if you can. Have the clamp squeeze high and low and spend some time finding different spots on your heel. First you will notice that the pain goes away and you will have a short relief. Next a good mechanical foot massager with a squeezing mechanism in the center Reflex Roller Massager is what I use. Massage your foot place it under your desk at work. Do it frequently.

My pain was gone in a week. My foot was healed and I started walking miles again! I did a six mile walk just yesterday. When I came home at night I clamped my heel again. Even though I was experiencing no pain i did it as a precautionary measure. I think the problem is that my heel started to harden as I got older and the clamping softens the tissue. Just a thought. Try the clamp and get a massager that squeezes your heel. By the way I use Echo shoes as they give me the best support.

You will be healed!

Joe Romeo

Andrea Sundberg said:

I teach too and experienced the same thing. It started in one foot in the arch and was there for about a year. Hard to work out and I teach and workout everyday! Then when it finally left that foot, it showed up in the heal of the other. I find it feels better if I wear high heals once or twice a week to stretch it out. But, hate to say it - it hurts pretty much all the time even though I wear custom inserts. I ice it and have my husband rub it out and it seems to help a little bit.

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