Does anyone know a good way to ease Plantar Faciitis?

[T3KAO]

I have been suffering from extremely painful foot pain for about 4 months, my doctor finally took a look and has told me I have Plantar Faciitis so am now trying regular doses of Ibuprofen but would be interested in hearing if anyone knows of anything else that helps.

[Dove]

Hi T3KAO, I too suffer terribly with this, I have been to the physio (last year) and she said to 3/4 fill a small drinks bottle with water, freeze it, then roll it backwards and forwards under my foot, I find it's best to cover it with something as it's too cold! But, doing that, rolling my ankles around, and stretching my toes up towards me and back down does help. I haven't been doing these things for a while and I am in agony again, so I must re-start. Give it a go and see how you get on, I do sympathise with you. Take care. x

[T3KAO in reply to Dove]

Hi Dove, thanks for reply will give all a go. Will try anything at mo!! kind regards x

[Sjink]

I agree with Dove. The exercise works. And doing foot stretches in the morning is important as my feet seem to tighten up in the night. Our local podiatry (foot) clinic gave me insoles that support the arch of my foot and they are very helpful. Thy don't fit in one pair of boots nod my fet re always more painful when I don't wear them.

[millyg]

I agree with the above the exercises are important , I also wear orthotic insoles in my shoes but they need to be custom made so they fit your feet correctly,They do work but take a bit of getting used to at first, ask your doctor about a referral for this to be done as they provide these on the NHS good luck xx

[T3KAO in reply to millyg]

Hi Millyg, thanks for this I am going to see my lupus nurse at end of the month so will speak to her about this. x

[Tich]

Hi there.

I have suffered this on and off for several years now. My GP and I almost came to a decision for a steroid injection several times but never actually got brave enough!!! Then my Rheumy saw me hobbling in to the room and decided there and then to do it!!! It was painful but within a few days it actually worked and I have been free of it for the best part of a year. So was the couple of minutes of pain worth it? I personally think so love. If it is making you walk with a limp and on the side of your foot then it's putting strain on everything else and causing pain elsewhere. So maybe it's something to discuss with your GP.

Take care and try and rest it as best you can x

[T3KAO in reply to Tich]

Hi Tich,

I have discussed steriod injection with GP and we decided to try medication first, however, do feel like this is going to be the only way to be pain free. kind regards

[Kath54]

My GPused acupuncture on me once a week for a month and it was painful but worked instantly after a month it was gone.

[grannyjogger]

The exercises described by Dove had a really good outcome for my hubby. I have suffered from heel pain too. As well as the exercises I have spent a small fortune on a range of inserts to put in footwear to cushion the heel. It eventually got a little better but never really went away. I had a course of physiotherapy recently for neck/shoulder/hip problems (brilliant physiotherapist can't fault the NHS on that one). He told me planter faciitis is frequently diagnosed by GPs and it is a common condition but he felt my heel pain was more to do with joints/tendons/ligament etc, took some measurements and my left leg was half an inch shorter that the right, which was causing the hip pain and he suspected was something to do with the heel pain too. Different exercises this time, but things are greatly improved. I don't know whether it was planter or not, sometimes I think every joint in my body is unstable!!! If the exercises described by Dove haven't worked in a couple of months I would ask for a referral to physiotherapy. Good luck

[Dove]

Hi everyone thanks for supporting my advice, it's good to have that confirmation. I do hope your P.F will improveT3KAO (& everyone else) it's so terribly painful All the best to you all xxxx

[Sallywoo]

Hello, my first post here. I suffered for a long time and pain killers did nothing. I then saw advertised, years ago on Boots the chemist website that Fitflop sandals (they don't sell them now) could help with this painful condition where the nerve that runs along the sole of the foot from the heel becomes inflamed. I have purchased 4 pairs in total over the past few years and never looked back. They themselves don't advertise this - I don't think they are allowed to, but within two weeks of wearing my first pair my pain decreased and I don't have it at all now. This a miserable pain that I found didn't respond to painkillers. I know you can have heel inserts from the NHS (a friend had these) but I found the Fitflop sandals with the micro Wobble Board soles are specially designed to support the foot. They are not cheap - get them in the sale which they currently have on at the minute ( have just purchased two pairs) and you must make sure you have the right size. I wear them instead of slippers and can be on my feet all day.

I do hope they work for you - good luck.