Question

Those with plantar fasciitis, how do you alleviate the pain? I absolutely dislike shoes and it’s caught up with me. I also can’t workout at home with shoes on, I will wear my sons slides around the house, but they’re about 3 sizes too big. I can tolerate socks, but only in the winter. And I know flip flops are supposedly the enemy, but it’s all I prefer when I have to wear shoes. I can’t stand spending a lot of money on “special” shoes that’ll probably just sit on a shelf.  

Answer 1

My foot doctor told me no crocs because there is no support in them. Unfortunately all the exercises didn’t help me and I ended up getting a cortisone shot and orthotics made from my foot dr.  

Comments

@korte2573 My podiatrist said just the opposite. Crazy. lol He explained that they’re so cushy inside that the heel and footbed go into it leaving support for the arch.  

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@karttikeya @cushman that’s funny how drs are so different

Answer 2

I had great success with a massager ball and using it 3-4 times a day to roll out my foot. It hurt bad initially but I powered through it to break up the damaged tissue and after a few days it felt much better. Also icing it.  

Answer 3

Girl same! I hate shoes and now have pf! My chiro told me to put an orange in the freezer and every morning take it out put it on the floor and roll your heel around on it

Answer 4

I loooove Olukai flip flops. They are crazy supportive and great for PF.  

Comments

@lebensraum0 they are wonderful

Answer 5

Vionic flip flops, no flat shoes. And I had to adjust to always wearing shoes but it’s just not worth the pain I’m in the next day.  

Answer 6

Freeze a tennis ball and roll your heal on it. I also used a small ball with spikes that I found on Amazon

Answer 7

Birkenstock’s were the best because they have so much support. Ultimately surgery in both feet is the only thing that helped. I tried cortisone shots, pt, night splint, massage/rollers.  

Answer 8

You HAVE to stretch your plantar fascia ligament. Look up stretches and get a stretchy rubber band thing from amazon. And you must wear shoes. Get some ugly crocs to wear around the house. They’re super comfy.  

Answer 9

Crocs makes very comfy flip flops too. Found mine on amazon. They’re amazing. My Pod recommended croc brand shoes and they won’t break the bank.  

Comments

@karttikeya @cushman I wear my croc flip flops all around the house too- they’ve worked great!  

Answer 10

I work for a podiatrist and I know they have Orthopedic shoes that can help but eventually you probably will need surgery depending on severity.  

Answer 11

I can only wear oofos flip flops. You need to stretch it. You have to wear shoes at all times. It sucks. But it will eventually get better. I no longer have to wear shoes all the time.  

Comments

I also use Superfeet orthotics as well.  

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Does it go away or just more tolerable?  

Answer 12

I like vionics flip flops but they are like $70

Comments

I love mine too. Well worth the cost to be able to wear flip flops!  

Answer 13

Also I put socks on my rolling pin and rolled my feet and magnesium helped as well

Answer 14

I spent thousands of dollars on all kinds of physical therapy for my feet and had plantars fasciitis so bad I could barely stand up even in the shower. All I needed to do was spend $20 and get diabetic orthotic inserts! Pull the inserts out of whatever shoes you have and put these in. Instant relief. Dr. Vora podiatrist in downtown Plainfield sells diabetic inserts.  

Answer 15

I have it too. No bare feet on hard floors, stretch your legs and back, massage your arches and no shitty flops.  

Answer 16

All the time these stretches and roll your feet on frozen ice bottles. Tennis balls help too. I went to therapy mine was do bad. Good shoes only till you beat it. Then continue stretching and you should be ok.  

Answer 17

Fit flop flip flops helped me

Answer 18

Crocs keep my pain away. I wear them in the house

Answer 19

I suffered from this. I would do all the exercises to try and alleviate some of the pain- but in all honesty the number one thing that helped it- actually made it go away completely- was changing my diet. Cut out sugars, processed foods. stuff like that. I promise I’m not a health nut usually- I would’ve never thought this would’ve went away from diet alone. But it did! Thought it was worth mentioning

Comments

@noah713 sugar messes up everything lol

Answer 20

I do wear Vionic gym shoes and work boots. But around the house I wear my croc flip flops.  

Answer 21

There are actually a slip on that is similar to a sock but your toes stick out and U have actually seen flip flips made for plantar fasciitis!  

Answer 22

A good pair of shoes is the key and inserts

Answer 23

Have you tried Oofos? They have slides, flip flops and sneaker type shoes. They are amazing.  

Comments

@rhizopod I agree! Picked some up at Naperville running company and swear by them to wear inside to stop foot pain

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@rhizopod are they pricey?  

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The flip flop is around $60-65 which is a bit pricey but worth every penny. I’m a long distance runner and where these after marathons and people with pf swear by them. I’ve travelled to Italy, Disney and so many other places and only bring my Oofos to walk in. Compared to Birkenstock’s they are about half the price. Go to road runner sports or Naperville Running comp to try a pair on.  

Answer 24

My mom would wear this overnight and felt it would help.  

Comments

@templia these night guards do help. Even if you just wear it watching tv for an hour or two at night.  

Answer 25

Like many others have mentioned, I wear slides around the house, use orthotic inserts, pay for good shoes with arch support (Clark’s), stretch often, ice, and I use my Young Living essential oils for extra support. I am hard on my feet all day long with my job and my oils carry me through. I go from barely being able to stand to teaching all day and running around with my students. Let me know if you want some info on YL!  

Answer 26

I hear that using athletic tape helps

Answer 27

Work great

Answer 28

I bought kinesiology tape off Amazon. Looked how to wrap my foot on youtube. HUGE difference!  

Answer 29

Thank you for all the replies- I’ll be looking into everything.  

Answer 30

Hi my friend! Buy some Clarks flip flops. They're my fav. I have sandels, flip flops, dress shoes etc. love them!