EEEEK!! I have Plantar Fasciitis

[phoenixphantom]

I too suffered from PF due to a structural deformity of my foot. I tried every therapy short of surgery. The thing that finally helped was going to a chiropractor who did massage of the arch and the heel. Other therapists had done this but it was more like a gental foot rub and did not work. The chiropractor dug into the facsia and into the area around the heel and it hurt like _ell!!! but it worked!

Now I use walking shoes with over counter heel cushions and arch support. If I will be walking/standing a lot or at the beach or water park, I tape my foot. This could work with your beloved flip flops, they even have tape in lots of cool colors if you are hip or in flesh tone if you want to be less noticable.

Do not do the cortizone injections they hurt a lot and they are not good for your foot!!

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[aubriee]

I have pf and wear FitFlop shoes. That is one of the claims of the company, that they help with PF, and they do. I have the flop version as well as the mules (so I can wear them to work). Crocs no longer work for me, but I would not trade my FitFlops for ANYTHING! People that have not tried them think they are just a flip flop and will try to tell you they are bad for your feet. They are incorrect!

I have PF, as well and have been suffering for about 18 months. I also hate tennis shoes and "granny sandals" - I must have flip flops for the summer. Finally, after searching and searching, I found a pair with a hard sole and high arch (which is what I needed) - seriously it's -20 deg here and I wear these all over the house. I found them at The Walking Company in the Mall of America. It has to be this brand though and this style (the other styles don't have the hard supportive sole) - a little spendy, but worth their weight in GOLD!

Here's the link - and they do ship. This is the exact pair I have:
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/br...uctID=8995&pagetag=women_zealand&source=Brand

And here are the links to a few others, same sole different strap...
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/br...uctID=8997&pagetag=women_zealand&source=Brand
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/br...uctID=5666&pagetag=women_zealand&source=Brand

HTH!

D~

Has your doctor recommended physical therapy? That also helps. Merrels are comfortable for me .[/QUOTE]

-not going barefoot is another big thing, even walking to the bathroom when getting out of bed. I have some merrill flip flop type sandals which took awhile to find that have a nice arch in them.

Kae

OK, I ordered two pair of Fitflops, a pair of Zealands from the Walking Store (the ones shown in the last link in DMGeurts post), and a pair of Merrell slides. I got the Fitflops yesterday and they feel a little snug between the sole and top of the shoe. I also bought my mom a pair and hers fit right up against her arch, whereas with mine I can get a couple of fingers between the sole and my arch (but again the top of my foot is rubbing against the little circle thingy). Maybe my arches are just too high? I should get the Zealands and Merrells in a few days. Can't wait to try them! I went to a shoe store, but none of the New Balance worked. They were all way too loose in the heel and rubbed. I seem to have a high arch, fairly thick foot, and a narrow heel. I know: deformed. lol I tried on almost every style of tennis shoes they had (NB, Asics, Reebok, Nike, K Swiss, etc) and they were all too loose in the heel and rubbed the top of my foot. The people working there did not have any suggestions. I finally did find two pair of K Swiss that weren't too bad and when I put my orthodontic in them, they felt pretty good. I could still feel the heel pain, but it was MUCH less. Tennis shoes are just too hot for May though.

I'm trying to remember not to go barefoot in the house, but keep forgetting. I really hate to wear shoes of any kind. lol If the new shoes and exercises don't work, I guess an chiropractor or PT is next. Cortisone shots would be the absolute last resort. I don't do pain very well. Thanks everyone for your tips!

 

[MSMomTJ]

The weather should be fine in mid-March. I wore my Fit Flops the last week of December. They were GREAT shoes for the parks!

Wish I could wear mine year-round at home, but there's snow on the ground here.

Thanks! I'm kinda weird about wearing sandals before Easter, but I figure that since it's in Florida....

I'm also wondering if I should visit the chiropractor before I go. The PF isn't bothering me a lot these days, but maybe it would keep it from flaring up from all the walking on vacation.

 

[Minniemama350]

The weather should be fine in mid-March. I wore my Fit Flops the last week of December. They were GREAT shoes for the parks!

Wish I could wear mine year-round at home, but there's snow on the ground here.

They do have mule and boot versions of the FitFlop and they are great too.I wear my mules to school(teacher). Very thankful for them. They are keeping the inflamation and pain down!