I never found Birkenstocks were a good fit for me; Clarks always were better. I wonder if you should have worn them just a few hours each day to let your body get used to them. Sorry about this.

I tried them once but they definitely didn't do it for me, especially with pf. Anything with a really good arch and a bit of a heel, so that that area of your foot is higher than the toe bed is good. Yes, I agree that you should wear them only for a bit at first, unless your back is still hurting. What a shame they've made your back hurt.

When PF acts up with me, I switch to Crocs, only real Crocs. The sole is padded and the heel is roomy and they have good arch support.

I LOVE my birks. Have them in all colors and either two, or three straps, and I am down to only 7 pairs. The second most loved footwear for me right now is a pair (actually I got two of the same) of hushpuppies sandals.

Yes, you should never wear new foot wear for HOURS on end. Try again, but only about two hours... slowly increasing the time over a couple of weeks.

Moni

I agree only wear them for short periods in the house at first. I used them and have a high arch and the straps for me were a problem and had to get a hole put in to make them fit. I loved mine, I had bought for years another kind that I fell in love and they stopped selling them or making them not sure and so I went to birkenstock.

Yes, again to wearing them in. The cork footbed will mold to your feet. BUT, these are the real "Birkenstocks", right? Not Birki's? The latter have manmade materials, and some have a squishy layer of foam and though they look like Birkenstocks, they're a whole different experience.

I don't know a lot about plantar fasciitis. I believe gentle stretching might be in order? Birkenstocks also require gripping with the toes. Is that good or bad for the fascia? I know there are some conditions where they recommend against it. Did you ask why about the recommendation? Perhaps it was because the footbed doesn't have give the way Crocs do, even though they mold to your foot over time?

Are you used to wearing heels? Even small ones? If so, your back could hurt from wearing the Birkenstocks because your posture needs to readjust to totally flat. They call them "footprints" for a reason. While your foot is supported, once the footbed molds to your feet, and before it is broken down by age and wear, it's the closest you can get to barefoot with a shoe on (which is why I always have a pair!). If you regularly wear a shoe with a heel, or even some kinds of athletic shoes which balance forward onto the ball of your feet, your pelvis and spine realign to fit the slope. Over time, your ligaments even shorten to the configuration.

If the backache feels muscular, it's probably just that you're using different muscles in unfamiliar ways, and it's actually good for you. Once the pain subsides, you can go back to wearing the Birkenstocks for short periods that won't stress your back until the muscles learn the differences.

I bought some Birkenstocks for the first time last year, so many styles now. I laugh because as a teenager I would never have worn them. Mine are a little more feminine than what I remember them to be. I love them and find them so comfortable. I couldn't wait for sandal weather to start wearing them again.

dil and her mom both swear by them and I do know dil has a bad back...

Can not wear them....they caused shin splints! I stick to SAS and Clarks.

Mayo Clinic: Shin splints are caused by repetitive stress on the shinbone and the connective tissues that attach your muscles to the bone.

Phoggie, It's likely that the gripping with the toes that you have to do when walking in Birkenstocks was too unfamiliar. Another good reason for easing into it. If you have tight ligaments, stretching your ankles and calves prior might also be helpful.

I didn't like the fit either. I do have a pair SoftMac though but when I had PF years ago I liked the Walmart brand. I wore them for probably three months straight since nothing else worked. Not bad for $7.

I wear them properly, like good Germans do, with socks in the winter. :)

Moni

I bought a pair and paid close attention to the whole break in directions. I still ended up with huge bleeding blisters all along my arches. Most painful shoes I ever put on my feet. I happily gave them away immediately. Never again.

Youch!!! Raven, that's awful!! I often wear Birkenstocks in all their clunky glory because they're about the only shoes not lined with sheepskin that do not give me blisters.

Had great success treating PF with these in my regular shoes. During acute phase slept wearing them layered between thin socks and snug slippers.