WEEEKLY CHAT - WEEK 49!
WEEKLY CHAT #49
OK, let's try the weekly chat idea, V2. Been hearing some positive comments! Seems like we have a winner! Give it a chance! Here goes! <3
I started a new job a few months ago and it's killing me. But I'm a single dad and this job allows me to work 3 12s and be home with my daughter for the rest of the week
I'm having the worst plantar fasciitis, to the point that I'm barely struggling through the three day week. I've tried everything from OTC meds to different shoes, insoles, orthotics etc. I'm on my feet on concrete for 12 hours straight
I just got medical coverage a couple days ago. I'm hoping to get this figured out. Thanks for listening to my ranting, and please keep my little family in your prayers!
Plantar Fasciitis is brutal and take an enormous amount of time to heal from.
Rule #1: You cannot walk anywhere without proper insole suppport. Even a midnight walk to the bathroom to urinate should not be done without slippers or some shoe that provides insole support. I have found that Birkenstocks offer good support and would leave a pair next to my bed, so that when I got up, I put them on. They also offer a 1/2 insole that you can put in a normal pair of shoes. I have several of these and swap them from shoe to shoe. Even though I am over my Plantar Fasciitis (PF), I still keep these insoles in my shoes. You can find them here: https://theinsolestore.com/products/birkenstock-sport-blue-footbed-arch-support-insoles
Rule #2: Stretch often and regularly. You need to stretch the calf muscles out as those are connected to the muscles/tendons in question. I built a plywood box that you can change the angle on to stretch your calves further. It looks like this, but again, I built my own.
It looks similar to this (sorry for the amazon link): https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Adjustable-Incline-Stretcher-Stretch/dp/B07K9N28TK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?hvadid=580671312152&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9029600&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13041303130279285552&hvtargid=kwd-301196929653&hydadcr=8212_13497996&keywords=slant%2Bboard%2Bcalf%2Bstretch&qid=1702404737&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1
#3: There are little hard balls that have rubber spikes on them, that are really good for rollinig on the insole of your foot. Get one. the frozen water bottle works well too. You inevitably need to get those muscles and tendons stretched out better.
#4: In evitably you will want to do exercises to help build up strength in those muscle/Tendons, but I will warn you to be careful doing these while you are trying to work your job. sometimes these stretches are inflame the PF and you don't want to do that the night before you have to go in for a 12 hour shift. An exercise that a Physical Therapist taught me seems unusual, but works really well (and you can feel it!). Again, best to do this down the road when the PF is getting better and not before a 12 hour shift). the exercise is to put a washclothe on the floor and place your foot on top. Then you want to just try and scrunch the washclothe up under your foot into a pile with your toes. Literally scrunch your toes to wad up the washcloth. Do this for about 5 minutes or so with each foot. I can assure you the first time you do it, you will think it is trivial,.... until you reach the 5 minute mark. Then you will realize you are using muscles you haven't used in a very long time.
The sleeves, foot stretcher and other things that you can wear at night are supposed to be helpful, although I never used those. some items work different areas depending on where the inflamation is happening. My PF was located in the bottom of my insole, where other people get it in their heel or even lower calf.
Good luck and take it slow, it takes a long time to get over PF unfortunately.
I had it for over a year and didn't know what it was. My pain management doctor didn't know until I told her how tender my lower leg muscles were. That's when she diagnosed it. I found a remedy by mistake. Frankincense Serrata (Boswellia). If you aren't familiar with essential oils start with pre-blended (with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, etc). Most oils are considered hot and have to be blended to avoid burning the skin. I'll link a few reputable companies below. There's a lot of fake oils or cheaper oils on the market because it's so popular you have to be careful where you buy. Please read about safety if you have very small children (toddler/baby), cats or dogs. If used safely essential oils are very therapeutic.
Look into sneakers with a rocking soul. Sketchers and Hoka have these. I can't wear sketchers but love Hoka. Chaco sandals for summer offer great support.
Also try massaging your lower leg and feet. Roll your foot on a frozen water bottle helps.
https://www.rockymountainoils.com/blogs/essential-oil-basics/this-or-that-frankincense
https://www.edensgarden.com/
https://www.aromatics.com/
Aromatics has exceptional quality products but they are on the expensive side.
https://www.planttherapy.com/
An excellent company with great products and customer service. I stopped shopping with them because they support BLM and other clarities (orgs) I don't agree with. They are the very best (I've found) if you need kid safe oils. I now order from Eden's Garden. However if I can't find something I'll order from PT as last resort.
Plantar fasciitis is an autoimmune disorder so I recommend trying drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Cetirizine Hydrochloride (all with minimal side effects, if any) and, if those fail, anti-inflammatory drugs used for rheumatoid arthritis (but not all at once!)
Reducing stress should also be a priority.
Been there. I found thing planar facetious sleeves work well. Thicker ones tend to make it feel like there's a ridge under the ball of your foot and hurt more than they help. I suggest pairing sleeves with Dr. Shoals off-the-shelf insoles for it.
Look up TechWare Pro Ankle Brace Compression Sleeve on amazon for the best brand that I've found.
If you go to CVS you should find a Dr. Scholes custom insole setup where you can measure your foot arch and pick a custom solution. Don't use it myself but it's a $60 alternative to the 'professional' orthopedic system solutions that can run $400 for a single arch support, not including insoles and over a thousand dollars in related things they try to throw at you.
Also try getting a rubber cricket ball to roll around under your sore foot. Front and back, side to side, etc, while pushing in harder in the stiff areas to massage your foot.
There's also a variety of foot stretches that you can look up to work on the injured areas of your foot.
I see you, Biden!
Lol. Was multitasking setting up a new computer and wasn't overly focused on grammar ... and had to make a new account while I was at it due to not being able to get the password from my last one.
But, just like our dear president will be doing, I went from 45 to 47!
You're a handshake again, we may sometimes have to manually approve your comments. We might not see them for a while.
Good luck on the feet, brother. I've got foot issues myself and they're very tricky to fix. Sounds like you've tried everything I've tried especially if you've done orthotics, which are very expensive if medical "grade".
I've found a local medical supply store (wheelchairs, walkers, lift chairs, etc) that sells sheets of orthotic foam off the roll that you can custom cut, and build up with different types of foam and rubber cement to make a decent custom orthotic cheap. The owner usually hooked me up with enough material for three orthotics at a time for $20, but again it's a locally owned situation with a generous owner.
Best of luck, and as necessary as it might be in your situation, please be very aware of the preciousness of your feet. When they go, they go. Been off mine for over two years unfortunately due to injury. o7
God bless.