Hey, gang. So I’ve picked up a case of Plantar Fasciitis and it’s seriously pissing in my cheerios. This has been confirmed by X-Ray and I’m waiting on some insurance stuff so that I can get a podiatrist referral. It was caused by a combination of me being overweight, having extremely flat feet, and having started doing a lot more physical activity.
Last weekend I had a friend help me tape my arch so that I could rejoin a casual Ultimate Frisbee game that I’ve been a part of (and that gave me the PF in the first place). The tape worked very well at keeping me from further hurting my foot, but also gave me a huge blister and some abrasions - no doubt because neither of us really knew what we were doing with the taping.
Anyway, I’ve been looking online at compression socks, arch braces, etc., and am having a lot of trouble sussing out effective products. I know we have a lot of runners and athletes here - can anybody recommend a product they know to be effective at providing legitimate arch support for a flat-footed fat guy like me?
If possible, I kind of want to avoid pricey orthopedic insoles until after I get into a podiatrist.
Get motion-control running shoes. You may not need further support. I would try the shoes first particularly since you’ve increased activity, you’ll need better shoes anyway. Stretch your calves and foot exercises.
I’ve had plantar fasciitis, and you have my sympathies. I am not a podiatrist nor a doctor, so what I was told to do may not be appropriate for you:
Wear shoes inside.
With your shoes off, roll your feet over balls or tubes. This is the dynamic stretching in running coach’s link.
With your shoes off, stand on the stairs with the balls of your feet - so the heels are hanging in the air, and flex your feet up and down. This is the stair stretching above.
I had plantar fasciitis starting in March of this year and it felt like someone stabbing me on the heel of my foot with an ice pick. My GP didn’t even bother with the podiatrist referral, simply advised that I get more supportive shoes and stretch out my foot in bed before going to sleep at night and in the morning before standing up. It took some time but after a few months the pain went away completely.
My feet were killing me a few years ago and I was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis. I went to a podiatrist they took a mold of my feet and I had custom arch supports made, night and day!
They cost about $400 CAN, but they were covered by my medical plan. I’m eligible for a new set every year, so I take full advantage of that. This way I can have sets for different shoes, I also wore a couple of sets out.
Even if you have to pay out of pocket, I can’t stress how much of a difference they made in my life.
As for when I’m not wearing shoes (when I’m inside), if I know i’ll be on my feet for hours doing stuff (cleaning, puttering around, etc.) I make sure to wear a comfy pair of flip-flops. If I don’t, my feet are quite sore at the end of the day.