Plantar Fasciitis: I'm thinking that's what this... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,414 members158,564 posts

Plantar Fasciitis

Sarahsnail profile image
16 Replies

I'm thinking that's what this horrid heal pain is. I've been told about using a ball to loosen up the ligament. Going to the GP on Tuesday. Limping but desperate to run. Any advice appreciated. Better trainers are needed and have brought padding for existing footwear. I am so so so frustrated.

Written by
Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
16 Replies
MrsSlacks profile image
MrsSlacks

Hi Sarah, huge advocate of the ball, mines a lacrosse one. I suffer with plantar fascitis and regular stretching and rolling really helps. I think there are some tips on YouTube. Trainers are definitely key too, esp with PF, in fact all shoes become important. Fitflops are my life save in the summer. Completely support my arch and keep me relatively pain free. Hope you get some relief.

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail in reply to MrsSlacks

Thankyou so much. Going to buy some heal support pads I think and a ball. 😂

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate

You are going to need a few weeks rest unfortunately!

Heel supports are a must and the best ones I have found are luckily also about the cheapest....pro 11 wellbeing....available on Amazon and eBay.

You need to do some rolling exercises....get on nhs online for great advice. I rolled everytime I sat down. I found an old ragu jar was perfect after much trial and error! (I know freezing a water bottle to roll is also very beneficial).

You have to make sure you have heel support ALL THE TIME! Avoid going bear foot and flat shoes.

Before you stand up/ get up in the morning (which is when it is worse) stretch your feet out pointing your toes back and forth, feel the stretch in your calves.

I really do sympathise with you, it is an awful pain!

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail in reply to cheryl_couch_tatty

That's the weird thing I don't get the intense pain in the mornings people talk of. It's as the day goes on. The more I am on my feet the worse it gets. It's painful in the morning but not any worse than normal. It must be PF though. Can I get diagnosed with it at the GP's do you know? It's at the very front of my heal, to the left. It's seems to fit with all the reading that I have done on PF. And if it was bruising I am quite sure it would be gone by now. Really appreciate your suggestions on the heal support. Was looking for some today. Don't think buying several good pairs of shoes will help. I need a good new pair of trainers though! But it's hard to get regular shoes with support. So gutted that I will probably now have to take time off from running. But if I don't it's surely only going to get worse. Xxxx

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate in reply to Sarahsnail

Yes the doctors will be able to tell you. It does sound like PF. Mine did get worse throughout the day but it is usually hard to put your footdown after rest so maybe the doctor will think differently.

Definitely get some very good trainers. I have asics and my PF has been totally fine. Could be worth getting a gait check if you can to stop future problems. Don't spend lots on new shoes, you just need the heel supports in all of your shoes. I don't need heel support in my asics though, they are perfect without.

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail in reply to cheryl_couch_tatty

Was it the gel heal pads you went for? There are so many on there! X

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate in reply to Sarahsnail

No the gel heel pads were awful for me. I suppose everyone is different and I made the mistake of thinking that if they cost more they must be better but after trying quite a few the ones that worked for me were the wellbeing pro 11

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate in reply to Sarahsnail

amazon.co.uk/Orthotic-suppo...

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail in reply to cheryl_couch_tatty

Just brought these. Thankyou so so much. X

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate in reply to Sarahsnail

How goes life with PF? All okay I hope x

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail in reply to cheryl_couch_tatty

Hello! I had my first run since yesterday and it really was ok. It's helped quite well. But think it was quite minor. X

cheryl_couch_tatty profile image
cheryl_couch_tattyGraduate in reply to Sarahsnail

You must have caught it in time. Great news x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessGraduate

Stretch your calves and use a foam roller on them. If you don't have a roller a tennis ball will do. And a golf ball is great for the feet. You really need a lot of balls for this running thing 😉

HelenAR profile image
HelenAR

If you are running in cheap trainers you may need your gait analysis done. My hubby suffered with severe calf pain and went and had his gait analysis done and had a pair of running trainers fitted to him with support where he needed it. This stopped that pain he was feeling. It's not cheap as trainers were over 70 quid. But they last about 300 - 800 miles !!!

Sarahsnail profile image
Sarahsnail in reply to HelenAR

I am getting this done VERY soon. Heard great things about it. X

Susietirzah78 profile image
Susietirzah78Graduate

Hi I suffered from this for months, someone recommended a foam roller and after a couple of days using it my pain had gone! It’s normally due to tight calves so rolling them over the roller helps so much. They had them cheap in Aldi not long ago so worth a look!

You may also like...

Plantar Fasciitis > Acupuncture update

nights to get used to it I'm finding that I don't get out of bed to be met by excruciating pain as...

Plantar fasciitis advice please

Walk/run? See a doctor? MY Husband had PF a couple of years ago, he just got an exercise sheet, I'm...

Coping with plantar fasciitis.

Has anybody found useful ways of dealing with this without having to stop running altogether? I am...

Plantar fasciitis

three runs a week if my foot lets me. So I’m wondering...1/ Do you think just doing the 2 runs a...

Plantar fasciitis

hardly walk yesterday, I'm doing the usual recommended treatments and no running. Any alternative...