Plantar Fasci itis

[Jonno34]

I have been excersising since December and have lost a stone, come off my BP meds and have good BP at mo. Still overweight but working on it. Normally do 20 mins on x trainer free weights and machines then finish with 20 mins on treadmill. I have brought the c25k into the treadmill part of my regime with everything else the same. Means I am almost doubling on cardio but gives me structure and a goal.

I have an issue with plantar fasciitis and wonder how others cope? Just ordered new shoes to see if that helps. Asics gel.

[thegirlfrommarz Graduate]

I have had plantar fasciitis too - it's a real bummer, isn't it? In my case, it's probably related to an old ankle injury that has never healed right.

The most useful advice was from my personal trainer: she recommended rolling a tennis ball under the affected foot when I was sitting down, and that really, really helped (although the tennis ball kept shooting off under the sofa when I pressed my foot on it too hard!). Make sure the tennis ball is firm - I started with an old one, but it was too squishy to help much.

The physio recommended some calf-strengthening exercises, and also suggested 3/4 orthotic insoles that I wear inside my everyday shoes. You can get them at Shuropody or equivalent - they'll help you pick the right ones.

Calf stretches and hamstring stretches post-exercise also seemed helpful.

[thegirlfrommarz Graduate]

P.S. Congrats on improving your health - it must feel great to be off the BP meds!

[Jonno34 Graduate in reply to thegirlfrommarz]

And here is me, laptop on lap and my tennis ball has just shot under the sofa! Guess I had that one covered already but thanks for the insole advice.