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I went to this site because I thought perhaps I had pf. But after reading the posts, I am not sure now. I have no heel pain at all. All of my pain is in my left arch. Sleeping with a heating pad on my foot helps a great deal. The pain is worse after being on my feet all day and then sitting for a while. Does anyone out there have pain in their arch, and what is that anyway? pf or what

I've had PF for 10 years on and off and it's always been heel pain, never arch pain. Only recently I've started ankle pain and it gets worse by the week. I have an appointment in a week to have a nerve test. Have you been to a podiatrist or an orthopedic doc?

Cheryl

I went to a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon 3 years ago. They said nothing is wrong. Maybe I need to go back. Thanks for your input.
pforwhat

hi pforwhat,

pf is really just a generic term, like headache. (plantar = sole of foot, fasciitis = inflammation
of connective tissue.) classic symptoms of headache involve the forehead region, but it's
still a headache if your head hurts someplace else! the medical community tends to fixate on
the typical presentations of a condition, but that's usually not a good thing.

i didn't have classic pf symptoms either (altho my feet hurt every waking hour and for many
hours i shouldn't have been awake, too) - and i was also told nothing was wrong.

i suffered for several years before finding something called yogatoes. i've written a few
posts about my experience w/ them in this thread (look for my username, ginapf):

http://www.plantar-fasciitis.org/talk/topic9-15.html

thx to the yogatoes, i no longer have foot problems, but i've been posting here in hopes of helping people who are suffering like i once did.

best, gina

ps cheryl, my ankles used to hurt too.

Thanks, Gina, for your advice. I went and checked out your #14 reply. (I could not see past #25) I will definitely try yogatoes. As I was reading I remembered that almost 7 years ago now I was experiencing incredible tightness in my legs, such that I could not hike at all anymore. I went to a woman who performed Heller work, and she told me I was incredibly tight - even in the buttocks. (She got me to a place where all symptoms disappeared)
I have to stay away from caffeine also, which causes me to swell, and this may attribute to some of the problem - don't know. I am just putting this out there in case anyone else may be sensitive to caffeine, but hasn't thought of that. The swelling isn't bad, but, of course, is more noticeable in the ankles. Hope some of this info helps someone find out what they need to do to track down their problem.

pforwhat,

i am so happy to hear that you're going to try them! don't forget to google for an ecoupon, and
select the cheaper yt-only shipping option - that will get them to you for < $50.

also, quoting myself, "ignore their advice and get the larger size unless your feet are really small/narrow and/or toes very short".

i had to google hellerwork - sounds very interesting. (i do think that the body/mind/spirit
connection can play a role in this condition.)

btw, to see the later posts in the nyt health blog
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/painful-toes-and-where-they-lead/?apage=1#comments
look for the teeny print just above and below the comments w/ "next/previous" and page #'s.

please keep us posted after you get them!

best, gina

Gina: I have not received the yogatoes yet, but have spoken to a yoga instructor who said I should be able to spread my toes evenly on both feet. As it turns out the foot that is giving me problems is unable to perform this function as in the past, so I really think you are on to something with the yogatoes and am very excited about getting help. Just pulling on my big toe downward and holding that position has relieved some of the pain!! Thank you so much for your input. I will let you know about the yogatoes after trying them. Thanks again!!!!!
Kind regards, pforwhat

Gina: Yoga Toes are fantastic! Thank you! Thank you!!

pforwhat wrote:Gina: Yoga Toes are fantastic! Thank you! Thank you!!

you're very welcome!! i'm excited for you!

please tell us more: what do you like about them? how long have you had them? when do you use them? did you have any problems with them? have you noticed any changes yet? (take photos of your feet from the top and side; my feet looked totally different after several weeks use!)

what size did you get?
did you get a fun color? (they were only available in pale green when i got mine.)

happy new year!
gina

ps i sent you a pm.

Hi, Gina. I have only been using them for a week now, but definitely feel the difference! My left arch is no longer tender to the touch and the pain at night is very minimal. I have been wearing the YogaToes for 15-30 minutes at night before going to bed, and in the morning I have no pain at all now. That took maybe four days. I also still use a heating pad on that leg when sleeping. Muscle tightness I think is the cause of my problem, and the YogaToes stretch my feet in a way I am unable to do myself. The difference in the appearance of my feet is so slight I doubt a picture would show it. One toe is more curled than the other on the opposite side. I never would have even noticed it except for you mentioning your differences! Thanks again for sharing. You really helped me out! (I did get the small size in pink.)

I have had PF for 3 years now, I have had it in my arches on both feet, and recently is also below my toes on one foot, the balls are at times a problem also. I had injections in both feet, which calmed them down for a year or so, but for the last year they have been really bad again, I know you can only do the injections twice, so I am holding out.
After all that I have read, it seems there is no cure for this, life altering problem. When they are hurting, I have no choice but to get off my feet and rest, ice them, or get a gentle massage. If they are really flared up I have a knot in the middle of the arch and the tendon is extended. So, the answer is, yes you can have PF without it being in the heel.

I tried accupuncture, didn't work, would like to try reflexology, but no one in the Ft Lauderdale area does it (professioanlly)
good luck, and let me know if you find anything that works for u.
Ccandace

Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:06 pm
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Hi Candace - I just read your post, and wanted to cry (some more). I have been dealing with this for 1 1/2 years and can honestly tell you that I don't know if I can do it much more! How in the world have you dealt with this for 3 years? What does your doctor say? What answers has he given you for this Godforsaken condition? I have done it all (except surgery) - Ice, stretch, massage, more pairs of sneakers than I care to count, temporary orthotics, custom orthotics, rest, Iontophoresis, 2 rounds of PT . . . and the list goes on! My doctor has not given me any shots, as there is not one specific place in my heel that makes me scream - it's the whole entire heel - yes, like you, bilaterally! Have you done anything else that I have not tried?

Sue

hi candace,

candace wrote:I have had it in my arches ... below my toes ... the balls are at times a problem also. ... I have a knot in the middle of the arch ... So, the answer is, yes you can have PF without it being in the heel.

you are so right; pf is really just a generic term, like headache (plantar = sole of foot, fasciitis = inflammation of connective tissue). the classic symptom that doctors look for is heel pain, but like you, my feet hurt everywhere except my heels - for 6+ years!

did you read the whole thread? i responded to pforwhat, the original poster, and she followed my recommendation to try something that helped me tremendously (my feet are fine now!). from her most recent post:

pforwhat wrote:Hi, Gina. I have only been using them for a week now, but definitely feel the difference! My left arch is no longer tender to the touch and the pain at night is very minimal. I have been wearing the YogaToes for 15-30 minutes at night before going to bed, and in the morning I have no pain at all now. That took maybe four days. ... Thanks again for sharing. You really helped me out!

i've posted quite a bit about my experience w/ yogatoes. if you re-read the thread, following the link inside my first post will lead you to some of what i've written.

best, gina

Hi Sue, Gina, Candace and all others,

Sue, did you have your MRI? What were the results of your other test??? I go for all my pre-op tests next week with surgery for pf on Feb. 4th. I am counting down the days! I give all of you credit for putting up with this for so long. It has been about a 1 1/2 years for me and I'm done! I'm going for the gusto......yep, under the knife. I have heard of great results. For me it is worth a try! Will keep you posted of my progress. At any rate just wanted to touch base with all of you. I see we have some new posts.......What a great place for everyone to get different suggestions and ideas. It is amazing to me that there is no specific answers. What works for one doesn't always work for another, but people are getting help!!! It helps to know others feel your pain!!!!
Lynn

Hi Lynn - Yes, I got my results back from my doctor with respect to the nerve study . . . negative on both feet. Which, to tell you the truth, is what I figured . . . after researching a little on TTS, I really did not think that I had it - but that's okay - at least he ruled that out! So, he said to me, which I respect him for, that he just doesn't know what to do w/me - said that it has been going on way too long (you think?) and that he is banging his head against the wall w/me - I used to work for him and I know what kind of a doctor he is . . . it must kill him to not be able to make me better . . . so he referred me to a collegue of his for "another set of eyes and a fresh look" - I called to make that appointment and they are booked till February . . . I said to the person who makes the appointments "so what's another month . . . it's already been 1 1/2 years". I am thinking of you - please let us all know how your post operative stuff goes, and of course, the surgery!

Cheryl, did you have the nerve study done yet?

Sue