My feet hurt - I’m recovering from plantar fasciitis and am having trouble finding shoes (any kind, hiking, working, etc) that are comfortable. There is a store in town with a pedorthist. Does anyone have experience with this? Should I go to a podiatrist first?
BenEClone
BenEclone:Plantar Fasciitis can be a very painfull condition.I would definitely see a Podiatrist.You may need orthotics,or the Doctor may help you with booth selection.
Good Luck on your trip
Old&in the Way
Have you tried Birkenstocks with moderate arches, with the classic foot-lasts that have slightly higher arches or with the high arches? I used to have pain in my feet and stumbled around for a couple of years – finally, I tried Birkenstocks and discovered that for my feet, the “classic” Birkenstock foot-last has an arch that “lifts” my own arch with enough support to counteract the pain. It took me some time to figure out that Birkenstocks come in various arches and have different names for shoe “lines” that use one arch or another. This suggestion may not be helpful to you, but if you haven’t tried it, I would consider it.
Also, there are some helpful hints on stretching etc. and some possibly useful products (though I have not tried them myself) described on this site:
http://heelspurs.com/index.html
Good Luck!
canyonjane
I struggled with the condition for over a year and went to podiatrist, physical therapist, and a chiropracter who sold me very very expensive custom orthodics. I also bought many different types of cushy shoes and pads. Nothing worked. So finally in desperation, I bought New Balance 806’s and superfeet greens. Out of frustration I started walking through the pain. I was kinda like Forest Gump - “I just started walking.” Gradually, the pain went away within a few hundred miles. I covered about 1,000 miles of road walking in circles that spring and ended up totally pain free. My former flat arch developed quite nicely to the point that I actually had one. Ultimately, the fallen arch/flat foot seems to be the trigger for most cases. That was over 2 years ago and I am still doing great.
Just my 2 cents worth.
wayfarer
Ben, I had this for about a year as well. There are some great stretches you can do. Check out Scotts heel pain book on www.heelspurs.com It gives great info. about plantar fasciitis, stretches, shoes, treatment etc. As far as shoes go, when I am not hiking I wear dansko’s, hiking, I got a mold for my foot… it helps. Types of shoes vary from individual to individual. Some say new balance, birks, dansko, clarks, the list goes on. There are some great shoes out there. Stretch, stretch, stretch… Also, I did acupuncture and that helped. Good luck!! Feet are so precious!! OZ
bktoOz