Easing the pain of Plantar Fasciitis

Now, if you get to go through life without having to feel the pain that is Plantar Fasciitis, just know I'm truly jealous. After I started to walk, jog, and just get more active on my weight loss journey I began to feel shooting pains up through the arch of my foot and up my leg. It wasn't long before the pain became unbearable and I needed to see a professional. But before I finally gave in and saw my doctor I ran across a few things that worked to help alleviate my pain.

1.) Insoles

I tried a few of those Dr. Sholl's inserts but they were just too thin to even make a dent in my pain. I started looking around and I stumbled across these bad boys at a random Marshall's in town.

What I noticed first was how thick and cushy they were. The arch was much higher and the edges were raised so it looked like it would really hug my foot. As soon as I put these on I could tell they were really working and almost all the of the pressure felt relieved! Unfortunately, like anything you're constantly standing on it began to wear down. The lining came off and it just felt sticky to step on. After about a week of feeling like my foot stank like hell I decided to look for something better.

2.) The Foot Angel

So of course after using the traditional method I turned to the INTERNET. That's where I stumbled upon the Foot Angel. It was black, ridiculous looking, and from the AS SEEN ON TV section. I had to have it. Plus it came with this weird plastic spiky massage ball, so I figured I was getting a bargain. After putting it on I felt some relief mostly from the heel portion but it wasn't as good as the insole. I wore this for about a month until eventually like socks you put into the dryer it ended up going missing. This of course pissed me off and I ended up buying about 3 of these before I decided I should probably try something else.

**Also I should add you SHOULD NOT use these while running or walking for long distances. It caused my feet to cramp up really bad and I had to stop and rip it off in the middle of the park. If that doesn't scream class, I don't know what does.

3.) Rolling my foot over a frozen bottle of water

(this is not my foot)

I realize how dumb this looks, really I do. But I have to tell you this felt amazing. The massage ball I received with the foot angel helped but something about the intense cold really made the difference for me. I did this every day when I came home from work and it made the evenings much more manageable for me. This of course also did not provide permanent relief but it did help a sister out after a long day.

4.) I finally saw a damn doctor

So of course after trying to tough it out for about 3 months I just could not bear the pain anymore. I gave in and actually paid to see my doctor for him to confirm what I already knew and write me a script for something stronger. He told me I needed to a) wear tennis shoes until the pain stopped and probably after also. b) take the prescription pain meds as directed and c) not wait so long to come in to see him in the future. Eh. Whatever.

The meds ended up helping quite a bit. They really helped me get to feeling normal again. I wore my tennis shoes for about 3 weeks until I just could not stand looking like a PE teacher anymore and had to switch bad to regular dress shoes.

Now that I have lost weight the pain is MUCH better. It mostly flares up when I've done an insane amount of walking or have been wearing the cheap flats I love so much. I know as the weight continues to come off it will only get better so that is just one more reason to keep pushing!