[Just Susan]

For those of us that suffer from these miseries...
I have recently come across treatments that have really worked for me, maybe they will work for you.
Plantar fasclitis. Try this simple excercise. Sit so that your right ankle is crossed over your left knee. Now grab your toes on your right foot and pull them back and hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat several times before switching legs. Try doing this 2 - 3 times a day...especially in the morning. This stretch has been shown to eliminate the pain in 75% of the patients of Dr. Giovanni of the U of Rochester.

For foot/leg cramps...bite your lower lip. It is a form of acupunture. It works almost instantly...well almost.

Regular yoga and stretching excercises also work to eliminate both of the above.

[Boomer]

S&T,

Thank you for sharing this information. Stretches can sure do amazing things. So many of us are paying the price of having walked around in those great looking high heels with the pointy toes for all those years. -- But it was worth it. (I still have a couple of pairs in the back of the closet. I can't wear them, but I can't seem to get over myself. I guess I will have to move them to TV with me, too.)

------

And for those of you who are reading this post because your feet hurt, there is more good information in the "Feminine Forum" under the thread "Heels to Die For."

If you look at just the thread title, you might not think that it has evolved into a discussion of how our feet hurt, where our feet hurt, and what to do about it. But that's what you will find there. The information is practical and sensible. Alas, just like most of our shoes are now.

[Just Susan]

Thanks Boomer I will have to check it out.

[Russ_Boston]

Plantar fasciitis can be a bear. I've had it twice.

Two tried and true methods to relieve are:

Keep the foot of your bed covers very loose. This stops your foot from too much Plantarflexion (angle increase). This is especially true if your first step out of bed is painful.

The other method is direct massage of the fascia using a rolling device. I have one that has little nubs all over it and provides blood flow to the affected area thus decreasing the healing time.

Once healed make sure that you perform Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion stretches (as S&T described) prior to vigorous exercise like running, pickleball, basketball etc.

More treatment options: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pla...508/DSECTION=8

[Mikitv]

My husband has used those suggested stretching exercises and they really do work. I have the foot and leg cramps, mainly caused by diuretic usage. Magnesium supplements really help this problem and sometimes I need to add calcium suuplements.

[SteveFromNY]

Heel lifts will work for plantar faciitis too. A few dollars in the local CVS and you should be good to go. Be sure you have good support in your shoes too. I've had it a few times too over the last 20 or so years.

[Russ_Boston]

I would actually caution against using a heel lift. The reasoning is that the injury (the PF part) is not a cushion deal. The heel lift alone will put the foot into a dorsiflexion mode and the opposite is usually the way out. But either way it is a long, long process.

I'm glad it worked for you Steve but just throwing in my limited knowledge of the subject.

[SteveFromNY]

Russ - I based this suggestion on a recommendation from a book called the "Injured Runner's repair manual". A podiatrist named Murray Weisenfeld wrote the book, and it was his suggestion. His logic was that stretching the plantar fascia exacerbates the condition. The reason those first 10 steps hurt so much in the morning is because the plantar fascia was stretched all day, and at night it tightens up again. Those first steps in the morning really hurt as a result. The lift will actually reduce the stretching, and allow the plantar fascia to heal.
I did a google and the first hit that came back also recommended lifts, although they call them "Heel seats" and they cost $25. You can get DR School heel lifts for about $10 in CVS. By the way, they say right on them "For treatment of plantar fasciaitis" . Here's a quote form that hit:

"Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis
The traditional remedies for plantar fasciitis include stretching the calf, massaging, decreasing one's training, losing weight, purchasing better-fitting shoes (with a raised heel and arch support), icing the sore heel, and taking ibuprofen.

Another treatment option, also known as one of the easiest, is using heel seats in your shoes. Heel seats pick up and re-stretch the plantar fascia, redistribute the heels natural fat pad, provide structural reinforcement to the foot, and apply acupressure to relieve the pain while your feet heal. "

As I said, it worked well for me, and apparently isn't too rare of a cure. I wouldn't suggest it if it were some home remedy.

[Russ_Boston]

I stand corrected. My apologizes.

Always happy to learn new medical treatments. I guess i was speaking more to my own remedies that worked for me and heel lifts actually seemed to make mine worse.

[marianne237]

Thank you to all of you for your ideas and suggestions. When your feet hurt, you are miserable and forget that other people are suffering the same way.