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I walk for exercise 4 to 6 times per week. Some walks are up to 5 miles and some are just for 2 or 3 miles. I want to walk a half marathon in fall. In order to treat this plantar fasciitis you refer to resting the foot as part of the treatment for the condition. My question is HOW Long do you rest it?

Red,
I also am a walker. I tried not walking for 3 months, it did help, but as soon as I started again, the pain started! I do believe it helps for some people. I finally resorted to surgery. I think if you catch it right away you have better luck. Have you tried icing????
Lynn

I run and after i developed PF my doctor told me to stop running and it should heal up. A year later and I still have PF, although I am seeing massive improvement lately. Ironically, I started running again 3 weeks ago. After speaking with a sports doctor, rest can also refer to a lessening of your activity not a full stop like I did. So I would definitely keep walking but maybe at a lesser distance until you see definite improvement. I really wish i hadn't stopped compeltely as now I am back at square one when I was running Half-marathons before. But i will get there again and that is what matters.

What kind of walking? Fast, like race-walking? easy walks? being dragged by the dog? Rest allows the micro-tears to heal, which is important. However, you still need to keep the ankles moving! If you belong to a gym with a pool, use it. It gives you the resistance of exercise without the damage caused by gravity. Then you need to stretch properly, using MET.

Go to my website, http://www.kaywarren.org and read up on plantar fasciitis and how the mechanics of your foot work with walking. One of the biggest factors in plantar fasciitis is previous ankle injuries. If you have them, my guide to healing plantar fasciitis without surgery will help enormously. e-mail me through my website and ask for it. Also, let me know about your injuries. If I think it will help, I'll gladly send it out. If what you tell me indicates that injuries may not be your base cause, I'll tell you what I think, and try to point you in the right direction. You really have nothing to lose but pain and agony.

Kaelyn

I am sooo happy that I found this web site. I am teary as I read all these postings because IT ISN'T JUST ME!!!!! I am so sorry for all of you because I know exactly how you feel. My PF started about 10 months ago after I was treated for morton's neuroma that I developed shortly after running a half marathon. I thought rest would help because that was all that I was reading and hearing. So...no running (except a 5k for charity in April) for the past 7 months. Now not only do I have PF and hurt every day, but I have gained 10 lbs since I stopped running/exercising which I know the extra weight isn't helpful for PF either! I have seen a podiatrist, sports med MD, and PT. I have had a cortisone injection which helped for a few months but pain returned. PT didn't really seem to help too much. Did the exercises, stretching, etc and got a little relief but not as much as I thought I would. I do ice, anti-inflammatories meds, etc. I have tried the boot thing at night...... All of these things have helped a little but I just want it to go away (or at least be minimal so that I can exercise again and wear shoes other than tennis shoes!!). I know that PF is often caused by poor mechanics and I must have that since it all started with a neuroma but my question is, does anyone know how to go about actually identifying and FIXING poor mechanics?? Any responses would be appreciated!