Plantar fasciitis

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Guest

Nov 13, 2007 8:41 AM

Plantar fasciitis

Hello all!
Okay, so I am 100% certain I have fasciitis, quite painful, in my left foot, and have read the very helpful stuff on this website. But I want some anecdotal evidence. Has anyone kept running through PF, and if so, how did it go? I'm working between 3 and 5 mi., at about 11.2 min. mi, and have been running for about 5 weeks (with a base of biking and jogging to start from). When I run every day I get some sore joints pretty quickly, when take days in between, feel great. How bad is it to ignore the twinge of the arch during workouts?
I'm off to the drugstore to get arch supports and heel lifts, then stretch. Really don't want to stop the running as this doesn't feel too serious and the running feels SOOO good! But I want to know what I'm dealing with here, and any advice is much appreciated.
Mandi

Kegan36604005

169 posts since
Jun 1, 2006

1. Nov 13, 2007 8:47 AM

in response to: Guest

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mandimoon:
...... But I want some anecdotal evidence. Has anyone kept running through PF, and if so, how did it go? ...<HR>

I tried a few home remedies, i.e. rolling a frozen water bottle under my feet a few times a day. Stretching during the day, etc. They helped.

Here is what really did the trick for me. From the moment you wake up in the morning, Do not walk barefoot . Not a step. Use some well padded slippers, etc. I used a pair of Croc's. Not only did I get out of bed nearly pain free, it kept the PF at bay for the most part. It was nice not having to hop to the bathroom in the morning.

FWIW, I had ignored the no bare feet advice for the first few weeks figuring that wouldn't really make a difference. Once again, I was proven wrong. Try it. Hope it works.

------------------
Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.

Visit: RunKevinRun[/URL" target="_blank">

Cole Studstill

57 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. Nov 13, 2007 8:53 AM

in response to: Guest

NSAIDs (aleve, advil) are what did the trick for me. I was battling this for months, and it was getting worse despite ice, despite stretching, despite nighttime splints, and, like a lot of us, I was afraid of NSAIDs because I didn't want to "mask the pain," and the possible side effects. But when I was forced to take NSAIDs regularly (every 4-6 hours for a week or two)to relieve a sinus infection, it really helped my PF.

I am told the NSAIDs help relieve the inflammation, so i guess that's what i needed. I am also told that if you don't attack the problem causing the PF, you can take off as long as you want, but it will still be there when you come back.

dg12002

622 posts since
Aug 26, 2003

3. Nov 13, 2007 9:31 AM

in response to: Guest

You mentioned a twinge on your arch. I use a product from the running stores called Sof Sole Arch Plus insoles.

wayneheff

40 posts since
May 24, 2006

4. Nov 13, 2007 9:36 AM

in response to: Guest

Orange Super Feet really helped me. And, I will concur with the "no barefoot" advice.

One other thing: you should make sure you have PF and not a heel spur.

brandyk051

121 posts since
Oct 31, 2006

5. Nov 13, 2007 10:37 AM

in response to: Guest

I have had PF for well over a year and have continued to run. I was x-rayed for heel spurs and cleared by the doc. I take advil at night during flair ups. I have a night splint. It still hurts but it is manageable.

ldennis

41 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Nov 13, 2007 12:33 PM

in response to: Guest

I've had this for about six weeks. At first I didn't run at all, I was having a hard enough time walking. Slowly, slowly I've been running the past two weeks. I did the stretching religiously and the ice water bottle, it was just nagging with no pain, and then I stopped stretching and it came back immediately. I started doing the stretches and ice again, and still do it. Knock on wood, today I can barely feel it.
No orthodics, no socks or splints.
Everyone is different, though!

Guest

7. Nov 13, 2007 12:46 PM

in response to: Guest

My PF pain was too severe to ignore. I just stopped running for about 10 days, did the no-barefoot-walking-right-out-of-bed routine, and used a couple of ice packs at night in front of the idiot box. And some Advil for the first 7 days. It worked. I haven't had a re-occurrence in about 2 years.

The best advice though is to NOT try to run through it. I know that is the toughest medicine to take, but I've learned the hard way that leads to a more prolonged recovery.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

dg12002

622 posts since
Aug 26, 2003

8. Nov 13, 2007 1:59 PM

in response to: Guest

All the talk about NSAIDS, this is not nutritional nor safe for your body. It's better to not run at all than to take chemicals which will tax your kidneys and liver. These drugs mask the pain and are counterproductive to how they diminish the inflammation. You need to ice the area which aids in the delivery of blood to the swelling, promoting healing. Please do research on the chemicals you're taking into your body.

http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?q=nsaids[/URL" target="_blank">

BugsMom073

25 posts since
Dec 15, 2007

9. Nov 13, 2007 2:13 PM

in response to: Guest

I've been running w/PF for quite a while (6 months?) around 100 mi per month ---The funny thing is my feet (yes, I have it in both feet) don't hurt when I run, but first thing in the morning & after sitting for any length of time. I've found that before I even get out of bed in the morning I flex my feet -- I hold the toes & flex for a count of 10 & do this on both feet 5 times --- & get out of bed pain free! While sitting at my desk @ work I roll my foot on a ball (it's a doggie toy, with nubs on it --- I'm doing it right now!) & it helps if I do this off & on through the day & I also flex my feet .

That's my 2 cents worth -- not very scientific...but I've found it to be manageable without taking time off from running.

biketm

454 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

10. Nov 13, 2007 3:02 PM

in response to: Guest

quote:<HR>Originally posted by BugsMom:
I've been running w/PF for quite a while (6 months?) around 100 mi per month ---The funny thing is my feet (yes, I have it in both feet) don't hurt when I run, but first thing in the morning & after sitting for any length of time. I've found that before I even get out of bed in the morning I flex my feet -- I hold the toes & flex for a count of 10 & do this on both feet 5 times --- & get out of bed pain free! While sitting at my desk @ work I roll my foot on a ball (it's a doggie toy, with nubs on it --- I'm doing it right now!) & it helps if I do this off & on through the day & I also flex my feet .

That's my 2 cents worth -- not very scientific...but I've found it to be manageable without taking time off from running.<HR>

Boy, that's the exact same story of my bout of PF, I never stopped running either.

Tim

biketm

454 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

11. Nov 13, 2007 3:07 PM

in response to: Guest

Mandi, you got good suggestions here, but I will add that heel lifts made my PF hurt worse..but not telling you to not try it, but be careful. Stretching my arches and calves helped me the most to keep me running, along with GOOD running shoes.

Good luck,

Tim

runbill

51 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

12. Nov 13, 2007 3:55 PM

in response to: Guest

I read that it could be caused by different leg lenths. I went to a chiropractor, he said I was out of balance. One adjustment and the problem went away. It took about a week for the pain to subside, but immediately after adjustment, I could run without things getting worse.

Guest

13. Nov 13, 2007 8:29 PM

in response to: Guest

Thanks everyone so much for the advice! The main thing I wanted to be sure of is that I wouldn't do major damage by continuing running, and it seems that's true within reason. I did a nice 5 mi. today and felt better at the end than the start. The stretches and ice feel really good. One leg is longer than the other on me, so it might be back to the chiropractor. Happy running!

Nov 13, 2007 8:41 AM

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