The Agony of DaFEET

Pain on the bottoms of your feet.  You know what I speak of instantly.  After sitting for awhile or even getting out of bed, those first couple of steps are NASTY!  Can’t run, can’t jump, and hard to walk barefoot without looking like you’re in need of a bathroom break.

Plantar Fasciitis (or inflammation of the plantar fascia on the bottom of your foot).

• If you just try and tough it out without help — that could lead to your foot developing arthritic spurs on your heel (AKA Heel Spurs).
• Buying more cushioned inserts for your shoes will help, but for a short time.

Why?  Because you’re not addressing the real problem.

And the real problem could be simpler than you think.  It typically comes down to three things.

1.  Identify WHY you have this.

• Is it abuse on your feet?  Working on them too much, standing on a hard surface?
• It can also be because of tightened calf muscles from sitting too much as well.
• Or poor shoes – too tight, too loose, or wearing high heels.

Basically talk to a professional to make sure that you properly identify this and remove that stressor.

2.  Breaking Free

• So it hurts, now we need to give you some relief but also help the tissue return to normal
  • I like using a golf ball to massage the bottom of your feet, it’s small and can get into those nooks and crannies.
  • Stretch those calves!
  • Strengthen the muscles of your feet.
• Now, which one (or all) depends on WHY your feet hurt in the first place!  So get a consult with me or another professional.

3.  Support

• The main question being: how are you going to make sure this doesn’t come back?
• Also, are orthotics a good thing for you or a bad thing?
  • Even though orthotics can help, some are corrective and some are supportive.
    • Supportive: feel good orthotics that support your arch
    • Corrective: don’t feel good right away, but remold your arch for balance.
• That being said, even if you get corrective or supportive arches, is there a plan to get you off of them through exercise and/or stretching?

All good things to answer for the sake of your “sole”.