Plantar fasciitis- business casual semi dressy shoe

LuvOrlando

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Jun 8, 2006
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I did a search and I saw there are lots of suggestions for sneaker type shoes for in the parks but what about when we’re going out to eat at Epcot or something where there’s still a lot of walking and my feet still hurt?

Are there any suggestions for something a little more dressy & just a little cute? I can’t even tell you how much money I have spent looking for a reasonable shoe, I feel really lucky I found boots that work for the winter but that’s not gonna work this time of year. I tend to end up with loafers but what I have don’t really have enough cushioning for hitting the concrete and I really don’t want to end up in tears.

Spending is ok if I won’t regret it but I always end up regretful
 
my sympathies. i had it at one point and it was so painful (the 'tennis ball treatment' worked wonders for me-but i used the edge of my coffee table while i watched tv).

have you tried any of the specialty shoe stores for foot problems? the good feet store sells special arch supports for this issue (and they sell nice looking shoes that are built for this issue as well).
 
my sympathies. i had it at one point and it was so painful (the 'tennis ball treatment' worked wonders for me-but i used the edge of my coffee table while i watched tv).

have you tried any of the specialty shoe stores for foot problems? the good feet store sells special arch supports for this issue (and they sell nice looking shoes that are built for this issue as well).
my daughter is suffering from plantar fasciatis currently and we are leaving for WDW in 9 days. Can you explain the tennis ball treatment?
 
my daughter is suffering from plantar fasciatis currently and we are leaving for WDW in 9 days. Can you explain the tennis ball treatment?


google search it and videos will come up. basically it's taking a tennis ball or water bottle or other item (like the edge of a coffee table) and rolling it under the foot-back and forth. it loosens up the planter fascia so it becomes less prone to become irritated.
 

I don’t have plantar fasciitis, but have other foot issues (tendinitis and needing wide width) and am on my feet all day at work. I get my nicer shoes from Clark’s or The Walking Company (Abeo brand). They’re both a good mix of looking dressy but not hurting at all. Clark’s is less expensive, but for the Abeo shoes, The Walking Company can customize your insole.
 
I suffered with this for 1.5 years. The tennis ball felt good but did not help it to go away. What helped me was wearing a night splint to bed every night, one I bought at the drugstore. The one the podiatrist gave me did not help. Clarks are comfortable casual shoes I was able to wear without pain.
 
I suffered with this for 1.5 years. The tennis ball felt good but did not help it to go away. What helped me was wearing a night splint to bed every night, one I bought at the drugstore. The one the podiatrist gave me did not help. Clarks are comfortable casual shoes I was able to wear without pain.


Which night brace worked for you. My daughter is trying her second one, seems to work but it is uncomfortable she says.
 
I have this issue and I get terrible shin splints with it while in WDW. I actually where a pair of JCrew ballerina flats or loafers with my SuperFeet inserts and it helps SO MUCH! They're a pain in the neck to cut but well worth it!
 
I have this issue and I get terrible shin splints with it while in WDW. I actually where a pair of JCrew ballerina flats or loafers with my SuperFeet inserts and it helps SO MUCH! They're a pain in the neck to cut but well worth it!

What color superfeet inserts do you use?
 
I’ve tried some gel inserts but they move all over my shoes and cause more pain because my foot keeps trying to settle and I’m using all kinds of muscles - are there ones that glue down, am doing something wrong?

BTW, I picked up some Cloud steppers by Clark’s today that were on clearance at Macy’s and they felt soft. I figured why not I could add it to my collection of attempts if it didn’t work since they were only 40 bucks and you know what, such an improvement. I tried going to the walking Company but I think my feet already hurt so I couldn’t tell if it was the shoes not helping or my feet already hurting too much.

Nothing cute yet :( is a cute shoe really too much to ask. I have flat feet when I was a kid and I got stuck wearing really ugly navy blue orthopedic shoes because that went with my uniform at the time and I guess I just thought there would’ve been more variety and more comfortable options
 
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I had been suffering from this for about 1.5 years. There were times I literally could not walk for the pain. I also had tendonitis in the achilles and on the right side of my ankle due to pronation of my foot. I was doing a lot of different stretching exercises I found on the internet which would temporarily help but ended up having physical therapy twice a week and sleeping in a brace. The brace was very uncomfortable at first and I would remove it half way through the night. Eventually I got used to it. I am happy to say that I have been doing great since then. I have superfeet inserts in my Hoka running shoes that were recommended by the physical therapist. I am using Vionic sandals for when I want to wear a dressier shoe and they seem to be fine. I am planning on taking both to Disney. The PT also stressed the importance of stretching first thing in the morning while still in bed. I am constantly flexing and pointing my foot. I recently returned from a trip that included a lot of walking and didn't have any problems. Heading to Disney in 16 days so hoping for the best. Wishing you the best!!
 
my sympathies. i had it at one point and it was so painful (the 'tennis ball treatment' worked wonders for me-but i used the edge of my coffee table while i watched tv).

have you tried any of the specialty shoe stores for foot problems? the good feet store sells special arch supports for this issue (and they sell nice looking shoes that are built for this issue as well).

I haven’t, what’s the deal with inserts? I always seem to get it wrong and throw money away there must be some kind of secret to making them work? I actually have a couple of gel heels in my purses and every time I try to slide them into a shoe they slide all over my shoe, it’s like I’m ice-skating in my shoes lol
 
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I had p.f for years. Tried inserts, chiropractor, pt, podiatrist, etc. Finally, a foot surgeon told me that I needed to stretch the muscle in the back of my lower leg, the muscle that is right below where your knee bends. I don't know what it is called. You can stretch it with a lunge. I had been doing similar stretches but was stretching the muscle in the back of my leg down near my heel/ankle. Wrong muscle! Since I have been stretching the muscle just below the back of my knee, I rarely have pain in my feet. If I start to feel that pain in the bottom of my feet, I make sure the stretch that muscle. Just my experience. I am not a physician, but I sometimes pretend I am online. Good luck!
 
I resisted podiatrists inserts for years. Once I broke down and bought some, my PF finally went away. I would suggest an insert and then a nice shoe. I still ice my feet at night at WDW.
 
For sure, everyone is different. After having PF for two years, and really not getting much help from a podiatrist (even the $400. "custom" inserts didn't help). I'd already been wearing very supportive shoes (Saucony). What worked for me was actually stretching the hamstring (I did every other heel/foot stretch which didn't help). My son had a roller-type stick for sore muscles. It helped enough that I purchased a short version and carried it with me in the parks--using it about every hour. (I also got shin splints so used the stick up the front of my leg--just in case). Some Asics helped. Birkenstock was the ONLY shoe (sandal) I could wear. I bought Birkenstock inserts and still wear them in my shoes. It's been a year since the PF stopped. One company does seem to have a wide variety of shoes: KURU--lots of "cute" ones. They have an excellent return policy. I tried two different shoes from them (before Birks); however, my foot is narrow and thin so many shoes just don't fit correctly. Take a look at KURU (fwiw, I've noticed people wearing them in the parks). They are the same cost as any quality athletic shoe (cheaper than SAS which I wore for about 20 yrs, though) so not cheap. When I need a new pair of shoes, I'm going to try them again.
 
I’ll check out Kuru, I stumbled across a pair of Vionics in Marshall’s today -for 24 no less but they actually made my arch ache... raved about online but I guess every person is so different.

I was able to walk a good amount today with the cloud steppers and some Tylenol so that’s a plus but they are not dressy. Still on a quest for cute, I want that Cinderella moment

Do the inserts fit in most shoes
 
They’re not cute, but the beeeeest shoes for my PF are my Teva Tirras. I wear them all summer every summer, and they’re the only shoe I wear at WDW. I buy two pairs at a time now and rotate them daily, they last a couple of years and replacements are generally under $50.
 
I’ve tried some gel inserts but they move all over my shoes and cause more pain because my foot keeps trying to settle and I’m using all kinds of muscles - are there ones that glue down, am doing something wrong?

You may have cut them too small or gotten the wrong size. I'll usually pull the insole out of my sneakers and trace it to make sure I don't cut them too much. Make sure the insert is centered in the toe box and then use double sided carpet tape to adhere them and they won't budge.
 












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