Plantar Fasciitis

[sarahengledow]

Hi Everyone,
I've read the archived threads about this but I guess what I really need is some encouragement. I've had this going on for about 2 months now. A month ago I went to the doctor and he gave me a splint to sleep in and said it should be better in about a month. Well, I've really been laying it low, but the problem I've had is when I feel better, I workout. I probably should just not do anything for a hwile. It's gotten now to hte point where taking out the trash or getting the mail or walking to class makes me cry it hurts so bad.
Does any one have any "success stories" for dealing with this? What did you do to heal yourself? How long did it take? Did you feel like you were going nuts, like I do?
Thanks ,Sarah

 

[Aimee]

Sarah, I have a ? 4 U

and unfortunately no encouragement. When I wear tennis shoes my feet don't hurt. But if I'm in sandals or barefoot and I walk the back of my heel is really tender. I haven't been to a doctor but, is this what the symptoms are?

 

[sarahengledow]

Hi Aimee!

Well, I first noticed a problem, it was when I first woke up in the morning, my arches felt a little tight. But it went away after walking for a while. It started to become more frequent, like during the day after sitting when I stood up it felt tight. It started to get really bad about 2 months ago, when it started hurting all the time. Now it has spread to the heel. I hope that answers your question- I sure hope you don't have this! I hate it!
One thing is I wish early on I had taken a few more rest days and stretched alot more before and after any activity. So if you have any of these symptoms, do that, okay?
Best wishes! Sarah

 

[Aimee]

I will take your advice to heart

I do feel it most in the morning,but the tenderness in the heel is there pretty much all day long. I'll rest more and stretch more for a few weeks and see if that helps. Thank you Sarah!!

 

[kimlav]

Going nuts

Hey Sarah

I can certainly relate to that feeling as I have been nursing a pulled hamstring for a few months now. It is healing but it does take some time.
Not being able to work out is enough to drive a very active person into a sort of depression.

Continue to do what you can in the weight lifting department. Do the upper body PS tapes, do yoga, do stretches, ride a bike, etc. In essence, continue to do what you can without pain so that you can still feel like you are getting a workout in.

Also, I have a friend who went to a podiatrist and got orthotics and they really seemed to help the situation, in fact, it helped immensely.

Further, don't worry too much about getting out of shape or getting fat. I did and I found I was pleasantly surprised in the last month or so. Lowering my cardio and upping my weight lifting has seen me lose 5 lbs. and get leaner and more defined. (It probably did not hurt that I separated from my husband and my appetite was a little off but I doubt that was all of it). The cardio capacity comes back really fast too.

I can relate to how you feel but hang in there, we are pulling for you!

Kim

 

[sarahengledow]

Thanks Kim!

It sure helps to hear that others have successfully recovered from injury! I'm going on vacation for two weeks and it was supposed to be a hiking trip, but I guess now it will just be a camping trip, and I think after that, I may be better. Until I leave, though, I'm going to focus on weights like you did, and see how my results change.
Thanks so much!
Sarah

 

[LisaG]

Two weeks off really helped me!

I too, struggled with plantar fascitis a couple of years ago and it was VERY hard for me to cut back on my exercise program...but it was doctor's orders. So, I was given access to a stationary bike for a couple of weeks and this (along with weight training) is all I did (I used the bike about 3-4 x/week) for the first two weeks. Then, Christmas vacation rolled around and I had two weeks off from my job to spend at my parent's...so, I did very little for exercise other than everyday activities and two sessions of using the weight machines at my brother's gym.
(Whew sorry for the long story).

Anyway, the fact that I was supposed to be on vacation is what probably finally forced me to truly rest my foot but it did the trick...I've been "fascitis free" (knock on wood) ever since!

Just keep in mind that your payoff for the rest will to hopefully finally be free of that awful pain...hope your vacation gives you the rest you need to recover!

Take care,
Lisa