Sunday, June 13, 2010

Do you have plantar fasciits? Let me suggest...


What is plantar fasciitis?


Plantar fasciitis (say “PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus”) is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.

Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:

Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (excessive pronation ).

You have high arches or flat feet.

You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.

You are overweight.

You wear shoes that don't fit well or are worn out.

You have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles.

What are the symptoms?

Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps, but your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.







Here's my story:   Three years ago, I was visiting my parents, barely able to walk due to this condition. I asked my father where I could find some decent shoes to wear to help me get through this very painful condition. He drove me to our old shoe store that he would take us to when we were children. If anyone knew about shoes, the owners of this place would. Indeed they did! I told the woman what my problem was and she directed me right over to Dansko shoes. The back row, clodhoppers  shoes she showed me were probably the ugliest shoes I've ever seen. Obediently I tried them on. I could not believe how I felt some immediate relief. The woman told me that if I would wear these shoes every day for six months, I would likely be cured. Wow! I could have cared less how much they cost. They are pricey... I paid $120 for this pair. Thank goodness it was winter time and the shoes looked fine with my jeans and jean-type pants that I love to wear in cold weather. In no way did it take six months... by the end of the week I was feeling so much better. I did wear them as recommended.
Here is my current collection of Dansko shoes... the brown and the black sandles are most recent. I can wear the shoes from morning until night.
This is a long posting.. but if you have this condtion I encourage
you to give them a try!

15 comments:

Suz said...

What great information! I've been looking for something that would explain it in layman terms. I think I may be heading that way myself. Its great that you found relief!!! :)

Joyce said...

Good to know since I wore that stupid boot all night long form the ortho Dr. years ago. It took me months to feel better. I wore a pair of flat Keds that summer which I think caused the problem. I even went out and had a pair of orthos made to put into my shoes. Every so often I feel it coming back when I wear flat flip flop sandels for most of the summer to the beach. I try not to wear a shoe with a little lift/heel in the back. Thanks for the heads up on these shoes as I am always looking for comfortable in a shoe and long gone are the days of high heels. Practical is better then pain!
Joyce
Joyce

Lori E said...

Before you lay out the dough for the shoes you may want to try what is called Calcaneal taping.
You need to have your toes pointing as much as you can towards your head to stretch out the foot and ankle. Have someone tape around the back of your heel really tightly.
Then run a few strips of tape from left to right going under your foot, again pulling tightly. it may hurt slightly when you first stand up but this will make such a difference in plantar faciitis and heel spurs which often accompany this problem.
EMAIL ME IF YOU WANT A LINK TO A PICTURE OF THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THIS. I WAS TAUGHT THIS BY MY PHYSIOTHERAPIST.

Laura said...

What a great recommendation Karen.
Any shoe that can heal pain is worth the money-period!

Laura

Lisa said...

Hi Karen,
Oh, girl my sister has that same condition! Painful. I will tell her about the shoes, wonder if they have white. She is a nurse & is on her feet all the time.
I loved your WW post about Ruby, beautiful. I just love family history. Lisa

Theresa said...

I don't have this condition but have bunions... ugh! They don't hurt so bad, but are UGLY! I had surgery many years ago but they just corrected it temporarily:( Enjoy your day dear Karen with your comfy shoes! HUGS!

From the Kitchen said...

I have a friend with plantar fasciitis and I'm referring her to those shoes. I'm sure she'll be very grateful.

Re your trying out the "new" blogger--I've been trying to find time to do that. Now I won't! I was "disconnected" from blogging last weekend. Boy, did I have withdrawal symptoms. Later found I wasn't the only one.

And, lastly, Julius Meinl does sell those cups. However, if I bring one more thing in this house, the foundation just might buckle!!

Best,
Bonnie

★Carol★ said...

I don't have this particular problem, but if I don't wear shoes with good support, I am walking around like a hunchback when I first get up in the morning! Sore feet definitely affect your whole body.
I hope you're going to post pictures of that street full of flags that you commented about on my blog. I love seeing things like that!
Happy Monday!
Carol

Sue said...

I've had that before several years ago. Because I own a store, I'm always on my feet. And when the weather gets warmer, I'm always in cheap flip flops. You gotta be careful of those flip flops! I have to admit, after a shot which REALLY hurt, and watching the shoes I wore, my foot was better. I'm back to flip flops, running, etc and happy to report, "no" pain! Thanks for stopping by my blog, it was nice to hear from you!

Take care, Sue

Unknown said...

Good shoes are very important. I had foot surgery when I was 13 due to bad genetics and walking funny. I had to wear "old lady" shoes during my teenage years.

My favorite shoes are wide, clunky shoes...no pointed, high heeled shoes for me. I much rather go bare-footed anyway.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting...it's always nice to see your sweet face.

When your feet hurt..you hurt all over and I would be like you and not care how much I paid or what the shoes looked like if they were comfy and helped me get through the day in comfort! I think the shoes that you chose are cute as heck! I have sandals much like them...because of comfort.
I'm glad your problem has been helped..

Kelly said...

Thanks for the info. My mom is going to be fitted for a boot next week, actually, for the same condition. I'll pass along the shoe tip, plus some other useful information others posted.

Anonymous said...

Glad you got your problem solved! I recently paid a visit to a podiatrist and found out I have a neuroma which I know I got by wearing too tight shoes!!! And I've tried to be so careful. I love Dansko and also Wolky & Ecco shoes. The main thing is don't wear flat shoes is what the Doc said, the heel should be up some. I also wear Ascis gel for walking. This is what the Army recruits use and they are always comfortable.

Sarah said...

A helpful website for comfortable shoes is to Google "American Podiatry Association Recommended Shoes" and then scroll to "Footwear". Karen's comfy shoes are listed and have their seal of approval! I can attest to their recommended Wolky, Ecco, Dansko and Asics as being truly great for walking or standing all day!

Dawn Marie said...

i will have to check this out. last sept I was out of commission for a week due to this. My pain went away after 3 days of not walking. I did visit the foot doctor and he gave me some pads for my shoes, exercises etc. The pain was horrid, absolutely horrid. He told me it was due to my wearing flat shoes all summer...and guess what, did I learn NO! I'm wearing flip flops so I expect this to return.