I don't good have a shoe suggestion. I wore running shoes and crocs (at home) when I had a bad bout of PF. Shoes with cork soles feel good, but breaking them in isn't easy. Having my heel scraped by a physical therapist was the only thing that worked for me. He used Astym techniques and tools. The exercises (even those recommended by the PT), icing, rolling, etc didn't do a thing for me. Good luck and I hope it gets better soon.

I've never experienced PF, but dh has. He gets relief using New Balance inserts in all his shoes.

Maybe it's time to see a doctor and get a professional opinion.

I think I recall someone suggesting rolling your foot around on top of a tennis ball...supposed to provide some gentle stretching.

I developed PF back when I was playing tennis several times a week. I went to my podiatrist who made a mold of the bottom of my foot and ordered custom inserts that I could wear with my athletic shoes. That worked and I haven't been bothered since.

In 2013, I had a painful PF experience. I was heading to Chicago, with plans for walking and museum touring, so the podiatrist gave me a cortisone shot. Youch did that hurt but it allowed me to enjoy Chicago.

I hardly use it any more but back then I was using a thing called Icy Feet, that I bought at a running store. It's like a hard ice pack the straps to your foot while you're resting.

Since the first flare-up, I only buy shoes with arch support or that fit an over the counter insert, and I haven't had any more PF troubles. I've read the OTC inserts are just as effective as the $$$ custom made ones.

I've had luck with Avia sneakers. I wear Naot sandals 98% of the time during sandal weather. For closed shoes, I have a pair of Clarks, that are very close to the border of ugly (the beauty of boot cut jeans is not much of the shoe is visible), but they are so comfy I can walk forever in them. I use the OTC inserts in all my other shoes. I wear Vionic sandals and clogs as my inhouse slippers.

I usually avoid seeing a doctor as much as possible but I don't regret seeing the podiatrist and getting that shot.

You might try this blog, barkingdogshoes.com. The woman there regularly reviews shoes and the subject of PF comes up frequently. You can look under the tab "Shoes by Condition" to find links to comfortable shoes and sandals for PF.Barking Dog Shoes

I feel for ya. I have had a similar problem due to a broken ankle last year along with Achilles surgery to help increase my range of motion after the broken ankle healed. All I can wear these days is an athletic shoe or very low heel. I can't find any cute or stylish shoes that are also comfortable, which is stressing me out, considering I have a fairly swanky holiday party to attend in a few weeks and I don't want to wear frumpy shoes.

Maybe you don't have to buy new shoes and can use an insert instead. We just went through this with my husband and after x-raying his feet, the Podiatrist gave him inserts for his shoes. There are places where you can buy them, but they come in a variety of sizes and support levels so it's probably better to see a Podiatrist first. Here's a pic of my husbands and a link to at least one such store online.

shoe inserts

Since I don't work outside the home, I bought some Vionic houseshoes last summer when my PF flared up after 15 years. At first I hated them, and the doctors who designed the shoes said to wear them for only a little while each day. I did and now they are extremely comfy and the PF went away.

I'm not sure if they make other shoe styles, but I do recommend Vionics.

My husband has PF, but rarely has flare-ups. I would suggest seeing a podiatrist. His doc did a series of the cortisone shots, gave him exercises and strongly emphasized icing. He was also put on a prescription anti-imflammatory med (short-term). He is on his feet much of the day. He is one who is always on the go. He gets inserts from the doctor - not custom but I suspect better quality/fit than you would get over the counter. He can wear the inserts in any shoes (other than flip-flops LOL) and he is religious about wearing them. If his foot starts to bother him, he starts the icing again. He has never had to do a shot again. The PT place I went to (back/hip) had a guy who specialized in feet and had many PF patients. He does something called "cupping" which many people raved about.

DH and I each developed PF within a few weeks of each other, about a year after moving into a new home with all tile and wood floors. His was totally relieved with OTC insoles. I tried OTC insoles/arch supports, semi-custom and custom arch supports. in addition to all the exercises known to man, and all new shoes (Clark's and the like). What eliminated my PF completely was Good Feet inserts. I've had 100% relief with them. Good luck! It can be a long and difficult journey.

I suffered with PF for years. I've had success with wearing good shoes with good arches. I pronate,and have found Brooks Running shoes to be really great. The last time I was really suffering I was seeing an acupuncturist for another condition. She had just taken a course in treating PF. I think I had three weeks of treatment before it got better. Here is an Xray of the heel spur I had at the time. Stretching and good shoes have kept it at bay.

I'm just getting over a bad bout of bilateral PF. Ugh.

I tried Dansko clogs and they were awful- like standing on concrete with absolutely no give. My feet felt worse.

I went back to Merrells, which my feet love.

Deep massage, stretching and use of heat/cold will help, along with time.

Feel better soon!

I've never had it, but several friends do. They all do something one of them learned from a podiatrist. You fill a small plastic water bottle about 3/4 full, freeze it, and then use the arch of your foot to roll it back and forth, using as much pressure as you can. You get ice, massage, and stretch all at the same time.

I had a problem for a while with what I think was PF. I hope it doesn't return because what saveed me was Crocs and I wore a couple of pair of their sandals most of the time -- and they no longer make anything but the ugly clog in my size. I have done the tennis ball on my arch too -- just for tired feet after being on them all day. I haven't been bothered in years now, but have a friend who has a lot of trouble with it. I noticed that a catalog I got called Footsmart has a lot of things for PF and other foot issues, They have a website and you might get some other ideas from them, but if self help doesn't work, I'd make an appointment with a doctor. That will either scare it away or get you some additional help.

A series of shots from the podiatrist worked for me years ago. No problems since.

Cortisone shot(s) and arch supports.

I would say skip the cortisone. Cortisone can do real damage to joints, like hips.

What helped me, a lot, when I had it was, when I was in the shower, I would press my toes in the curved corner and press the ball of my foot down to really stretch the toes. Hold it for 15 seconds, let up, do it again.

Keep that tendon stretched.

A couple cortisone injections into the plantar fascia isn't going to damage any other synovial joints, like the hips. There are other medical considerations, such as if you have diabetes, but this should not concern anyone if they wish to try cortisone injections.

It is not repeated intra-articular injections, like so many football players had, which destroyed their joints. Nor is it systemic oral steroids.

Just want to put minds at ease.

(I'm an ortho PT who's treated it and had it)

Thanks to all of you who are trying to help me. I have read each and every comment - several times.What I have learned ---

1 - This is a very common problem, and one that does not easily retreat.

2 - I need to be more diligent about doing the exercises. I need to do them several times a day - and I think stretching less aggressively than I have been. Gentle stretching and a lot of ice.

3 - Before buying more inserts, shoes and such, I need to see if exercising will help. I admit to not doing the exercises faithfully, especially before getting out of bed in the morning, which I have read is most important. I am going to give it about another week and if I am not seeing any improvement, the next step is to see a good podiatrist.

4 - I have spent the morning putting up the tree and Christmas decorating. I have been wearing tennis shoes with the insoles I bought. I have been up and down to the basement countless times retrieving things. I am also stopping about every hour or so to stretch a bit and ice. I am still in pain, but not nearly as much as I was in yesterday when I literally had to leave the mall as I could no longer walk. I barely made it to the car. So maybe there is hope --- but I know it is going to take a long, long time.

Thanks again to all of you for your help and advice.

Also, plantar fasciitis takes a long time to heal. Even if left alone, it will eventually, but sometimes not for a long time.

I wouldn't go near cortisone.

I only needed one shot and I have no regrets. The doc said normally they have a patient go through weeks of icing and exercises and then try the shot if there isn't an improvement but I only had days before my trip. I did ice and exercise it then and for weeks, maybe months, after so that it wouldn't flare up again. At the least twinge, I'm back to babying the foot. I don't want to repeat the painful experience or the shot.

There is a you tube video you should look at called 'Spread your toes Series - Plantar Fasciosis (fasciitis)) conservative care va conventional care'. Sorry, I tried to link it but couldn't. As a runner, I started having symptoms several years ago, went to my running store, where the guys there immediately told me what was going on. I started using 'Super Feet' inserts in all my running shoes (you replace the original inserts) and I haven't had any issues since. I do stretch my feet and toes fairly regularly and use Foot Wakers (they hurt so good!). Getting the right support for your feet is important. No flip flops, no barefoot, and replace the inserts regularly.

edited to add...there is a brand of show, Bernie Mev, that is very comfortable. Has a memory foam footbed. You might try those. The uppers are a woven mesh. My DD found some for half price this weekend.

I meant to add to my comment above that the Good Feet arch supports allow me to wear any brand of shoes now and I actually find some of the "cheaper" shoes more comfortable than my well constructed leather shoes (Clark's, etc.). Last spring I strayed from the latter and purchased some Tom's and Sketcher's. I took them on a four week trip to Europe where we walked for hours every day on cobblestone streets and hiking trails. In the past, even before PF, I would take an extra pair of shoes with me in my back pack and switch out at some point during the day, but not so with the Tom's and Sketcher's which absolutely astounded me. My feet have never been so comfortable. Would not have been possible w/out the GF arch supports though.

Mimi, iontophoresis is an interesting approach. Outside, I did watch the video. I don't know if that is the problem, as my toes are perfectly straight. I am sure, though, that exercising them would be a good thing. dsg, I did look up Good Feet. The nearest store to me is 150 miles away. I do agree about the Sketcher's. In fact, I had worn out two pair of Sketcher Shape-ups. My sister then recommended a style of NB (this was before this problem) - and I tried them. I don't think they have near the support of Sketcher's. I just ordered another pair. I think the way they seem to roll from the heel to the front may be a good thing.

My new best friend is ice. I am trying to ice every chance I get as well as gentle stretching. I found myself stretching in Church this morning. My friend gave me one of the splint boots to try. No way could I sleep in that all night. I also think it is much bigger than what I would need as he is a 6' male, but I can fell the gentle stretch when I put it on. I am going to try using it whenever I am sitting. I am going to try stretching, resting, babying this foot and see what happens. I know it will take months and months and I may have to walk the mall in less than fashionable shoes, but I surely need to do something.

I have shoe inserts and always use those. I am giving it my all for a week and then will see a doc if no improvement. I looked at Beth's x-ray. Yikes, if it is a bone spur, I will need medical attention.

Thanks again to all for your kindness and time in responding to my cry for help!

I had iontophoresis for a knee problem along with needling by a PT and miracles were performed:).

NGT, if all else fails make the 150 mile trip!:) Do that before cortisone shots. My dr. had suggested the possibility of cortisone if nothing else worked but, gosh, I just didn't want to go there. Once you get it under control, I hope you'll let us know what worked for you. Just know that you don't have to live with it and keep looking until you find a solution.

I've gotten PF flare ups on occasion over the years, doing a few ultrasound sessions at a chiropractor and some extra stretching/pf exercises with a towel for a couple weeks has always taken care of it.

Ultrasound can be used for deep heating (for pain relief, stimulation of healing and stretching) and for phonophoresis for the delivery of corticosteroid.

Finn Comfort shoes cured it for me. I still wear them as my house shoes/slippers, all the time. Berks are too flat for me, they made my PF worse. So did the orthotics my podiatrist made for me. Finn comforts are expensive, but worked/work for me.

I walk about 5-6 miles a day. Six years ago I was diagnosed with PF and probably suffered 6 months or so before going for the shot. Like Hhireno one shot was all it took.

Sochi, those Finn Comfort shoes look great, but boy, they ARE expensive! Do feel, though, that shoes are SO important.

I was looking at their Web site. If you see this, can you explain for me the "Foot bed options" part? Do you have to buy separate footbeds for their shoes, or are these an additional accessory, so to speak? How are the shoes w/o these optional footbeds? $55 on top of the price of these shoes really seems over the top.

I have been icing and doing exercises. A friend gave me a "boot" he had with PF. I cannot wear this thing to bed - it is huge! - but I have been wearing it at home when I am sitting. It is still extremely painful, but not as bad as it was a week ago. I am going to just keep up with what I am doing - and see what happens. I have not ruled out seeing a podiatrist or a cortisone shot if needed. I am awaiting the Sketchers Shape-ups I ordered. I have a pair now, but they are shot. They seem to take pressure off the heel as you rock more toward the ball of your foot. They may help as well. I just came in, having been gone a good part of the day, and while painful, I can still walk!!

Tib, from what I read on that website, the insole is something you can buy to replace one in the shoes. If the one you have wears out, you can remove it and buy a replacement. I did not get the idea that you could buy the insoles and use in other shoes - but I might be wrong.

Thanks Mimi for your input! My husband and I are ones that prefer not to do meds if possible, but he had such a terrible time with the foot - doc said it was horribly inflamed. The cortisone will quickly help that (at least in his case). He's very healthy, doesn't havediabetes, etc. so we weren't concerned about the injection. That was 2-3 years ago and he has (so far) never had to repeat the injections. He is religious about wearing his inserts, at least in his work shoes.

My favorites, love these, cured PF.

Mdln,

Those are surely worth a try. Reviews are very positive - I wear a regular size shoe - guess that is medium width. Sometimes I have a really hard time as my feet are narrower, but finding narrow shoes is near to impossible. But when I order Birkenstocks, I always order narrow. If you have an opinion on whether to order the regular width or the narrow width, please let me know.

Also, can you wear these in dress shoes??? I read there is another style of these insoles, but have been unable to find them.

Thank you.

Have only worn the medium width. Initially, maybe 1st week, they seemed really firm (compared to other brands I tried). At first, I thought I would not like them. So glad I stuck with them.

Yes, I wear them in dress shoes, even in a fairly low profile shoe I wore to a wedding. I wear them in all shoes.

To get through an acute exacerbation, I even wore them while sleeping overnight - inside a sock; was quite surprised that it worked. Was great to be able to get up in the AM and walk without pain.

Have not tried any of the other Birkenstock styles, since these work so well.

Bought first pair from Amazon and have also bought them (for less $) on ebay.

Good luck!

BTW - Learned about this brand reading podiatry research where they compared commercially available inserts to custom made.

Thank you. I found them on Ebay for $40, Amazon is $60. I sent the vendor an email asking about size. But since they will take returns, I think I will just give it a shot and see what happens.

What walking shoes do you wear? I am an avid walker (well, not right now) and have worn Sketcher Shapeups with success. I just received a pair I ordered online and they are too short -- same size as the last two pairs. Hate when that happens. I might hit the brick and mortar places - but it is quite difficult now. I really have to pick and choose my shopping route as I can't stand too long.

But, I will say it is not quite as bad as it was a week ago. At least now I can walk!

For walking, Keen Briggs, and Merrell Moab. Buy most of my shoes from Zappos because of the huge selection and free returns.

MBTs were the only shoes I could wear during my PF flare-ups and other foot problems. They are expensive, but oh my, what a difference they make!