plantar fasciitis heel pain help?

I ordered heel seats from this site:
www.heelthatpain.com and it's been the difference between being able to run and not being able to run. I used to have pain during runs, even, and now if I get anything, it's mild and in the morning. No more feeling like I've got a heel full of broken glass.

I have no idea if the heel seats are responsible (could be the strength training, too) but I also no longer overpronate(?) I used to walk with my feet splayed out with my toes pointing way off to the sides and now I'm walking like a normal person. I run with my feet straight forward now, too. Which is great.

I wear a pair in my day shoes (and old pair of running shoes) and in my current pair of running shoes. Totally worth the loot, IMO.

My 14 yr old son struggled through this last summer. He ran on softer surfaces, iced the foot, and stretches. It did finally get better but his running really wasn't the same he was a lot slower this year in track cause it started to act up again. He's been doing cross country now with the high school team since early July and thankfully has had no troubles, but they are also running dirt roads/trails and not the pavement like he was last summer.

good luck
tracy

I'm conditioning my feet/calves with a pair of vibram five fingers cause I like barefoot running so much better than running with shoes. I am convinced that barefoot running does a lot for the muscles in the foot, ankle and lower calf. It is supposed to lead to better form also.

Although most Doctors usually recommend to not walk barefoot, my Sport Doctor made me jog barefoot in the grass 15 minutes at the time and twice a week (as conditioning in between my regular - short - runs) in order to strenghen that muscles that keeps the Plantar high.

I was told that PF is caused by that muscle weakening oven years of wearing high supporting shoes, and at some point ones would need more and more arch support to remain pain free.

I struggled with PF for months but I have been Plantar pain free since I started barefoot conditioning! :-)

Good luck! PF is no fun...

Edited by: TRICOTINE at: 8/18/2009 (11:29)

I have run through PF, although in my case, I did not have any pain while running with my heel supports in my shoes.

You may want to look into a night brace if you are waking up with a lot of pain.

Not,

While I cannot address your particular situation, I can say that I have been battling PF for almost 5 months now. Some days are better than others, but not to the point that I cannot ice and stretch my calves. I have continued running as I do not have any pain or discomfort when running (generally only in the morning). The PF has not worsened and my doc gave me the green light to continue as long as it doesn't lead to pain. I wish you well!

Nancy

Have any of you continued to run while nursing your heel back to health? I saw a foot doctor who told me I have plantar fasciitis. My heel feels very bruised in the morning and after I sit for long periods of time. It generally is really achey by the end of the day. I told my doctor I could run slowly on my treadmill and the pain goes away while I'm running as along as I don't run hard. She is a runner herself and told me to continue as long as it does not hurt during the run. I also have to wear arch supports and do my stretches and ice after my work outs. Well I have not worked out in over a week now. I'm trying to break my arches in slowly.
Just needing some support or encouragement from someone who has suffered through heel pain and can now run pain free. My doctor said it could be a good 4 weeks before the pain goes away. I'm planning to just run between 2 to 3 miles at a slow 5mph pace. Does this sound reasonable? How many of you have been through this?