Looking for some advice and/or experience here chaps. I'm getting this pain just in front of my heel when I walk or run, nothing severe but I know it's there. It doesn't get worse throughout a run, but I know it's there. I'm covering about 40-50 mile a week in fairly low drop shoes (0-4mm). I've got flat feet, supinate, and have fairly tight calfs; everything points to plantar fasciitis but isn't that supposed to be really painful? Any thoughts?
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I'm a bit reluctant to see a podiatrist as I'm reluctant to use orthotics and I guess that's what would be prescribed.
I agree about PF, I'd read that it's really painful. I'm able to do 30-40 miles with not much more than an ache so maybe I just need to look at cushioning?!
I depends how bad it is. I had it bad enough that I couldn't put any weight on my foot at all but that was years ago.
Occasionally it flares up when I've been doing something stupid (like going for long walks in the wrong shoes) and then it is just an irritaing ache rather than pain.
Why would you not want to use orthotics if they get rid of the pain?
I'd see a podiatrist as soon as you can and get a proper diagnosis. PF can be a chronic and unpredictable condition but it can clear up completely - mine did.
In most cases you shouldn't need orthotics forever. Orthotics help ease the pressure on the PF while it heals, in a similar way to using a support for other parts of the body. A good podiatrist will also show you how to strengthen the PF and other muscles and tendons in your lower leg and foot so that you aren't continuing to do whatever it was that caused it in the first place.
In a few cases people do need orthotics for prolonged periods of time (forever?) but there are also a lot of people who don't realise that they could get rid of them once the problem has gone away
Touch wood it's not returned for years
Marc, seriously, you take NSAID's after every run? That's pretty mental.
I've been cutting around in zero drop shoes, using a golf ball, and ice pack* for an hour or so each day and it's helped massively.
*it's actually a 330ml Capri-Sun bottle with water and anti-freeze to keep it squidgy; works a treat as long as you remember not to drink it!!!!!
Well runs over 10 miles I do, yes