Overcoming plantar fasciitis

[Dendev75]

Hi,

I just wanted to share my experience of suffering with plantar fasciitis this summer. I found it started late July and could feel pain in my heel (especially worse in the mornings) but weirdly fine when I ran.

It became worse when I went to Tenby in Wales and I was walking a lot but also squeezed two runs in - the day after my second run I was limping and hobbling around.

Unfortunately it got worse and I wasn’t able to walk normally for a while, I googled plantar as I knew other people who had it and it sounded similar. I was rolling my foot over frozen water bottles, tennis balls, wearing trainers most of the time, and doing lots of stretches. I even bought a funny looking boot to wear in bed which kept my foot and ankle at a 90 degree angle.

I eventually went to the GP as I was frustrated not being able to even go for a walk, he was rubbish, he said it is plantar and prescribed ibuprofen gel and pills (no thanks).

I am very lucky to have access to 6 physio sessions through my work and this was the turning point - I wish I had gone sooner, it would have saved weeks of pain and upset.

The physio said I had weak glutes and my left leg is much weaker than my right leg. I was given specific exercises to do daily. I was also given ultra sound treatment and another cold wrap with electric pulses treatment - these worked really well - I was in much less pain after these.

So 3 months after the initial pain I was told I could try a short run with frequent breaks, I tried a jeffing session with a group of lovely runners locally.

I have since been able to return to my running club (I felt I had missed out on so much and had to cancel a few races too). I’m in a slower group but I am smiling away as I’m just so happy to be out running and won’t take it for granted that I can.

I am continuing with my physio’s exercises and I am also doing strength and conditioning training as this is what will hopefully keep me injury free going forward.

If you are suffering with what you think is plantar, please see a physio as it could be something you can do something about and make your healing journey so much quicker.

Happy running! ☺️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Thanks for this... different experiences from our runners is so useful...hopefully, some of our newer runners may read this!

[MrsLydiaWickham Graduate]

Happy to hear your physio sorted you out, and that you are back running. PF is a right 'ole pain in every sense. Thanks for sharing the information about the treatments - very interesting.