How I Got Rid of Plantar Fasciitis
If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re looking for answers on how to get rid of plantar fasciitis. As someone who has gone through this painful condition, I know how important it is to find relief. Especially if you enjoy being active, it is so disappointing when you get to this point!
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects the bottom of the foot and the heel, causing pain and discomfort. It’s usually caused by overuse or a sudden change in physical activity. For me, it happened after I trained for a half marathon using shoes with less support than I needed. And honestly, I wasn’t stretching as much as I should have. When I started to feel the pain it felt more like a sore muscle in my arch, but after some time I knew it was much worse than that: I had plantar fasciitis.
It’s no fun to realize something’s gone wrong with your body. But fear not, there are things you can do to alleviate your pain.
First things first, it’s important to see a doctor or physical therapist to properly diagnose your condition. What worked for me might not work for you, so make sure you’re getting medical advice specific to your needs. With that said, here’s what I did to get rid of plantar fasciitis.
- Stop running for a couple of months: I know this is hard, especially if running is a big part of your life, but rest is important. You don’t want to re-injure the area, so take a break from running until your body has had time to heal. It takes discipline to rest. Instead, try Pilates, swimming or even floor exercises and weight training if you still want to remain active.
- Wear shoes even in the house: I know it might seem strange, but going barefoot can aggravate your condition. I wore Birkenstocks around the house, and it made a big difference. The cork in the Birkenstocks molds to your foot, providing support. Get a pair that you use only in the house like house shoes.
- Keep your foot in an L shape: I did this for about 6-8 weeks while sleeping. You can find a variety of different types of braces on Amazon. This helped keep my foot in a position that didn’t aggravate my plantar fasciitis.
- Get the Superfeet green orthotic insert: This provided much-needed support for my arch and heel. It’s a great investment for anyone suffering from plantar fasciitis.
- Wear Hokas: If you must walk during the two months, wear Hokas. They’re great for support, and you can use your green Superfeet insert for even more support. I lived in these and my Birks.
- Supplements: I took magnesium glycinate, zinc, p5p, turmeric, and alpha-lipoic acid supplements to help with inflammation and mobility. Below are the supplements that helped and I have a blog post here about my supplement routine.
- Drink Organifi gold tea: This tea is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients and can help with sleep.
- Massage: I gently massaged my arch with a tennis ball or rolling pin twice a day. I also had one of those spiky balls from Amazon, and it was a game-changer.
- Stretch: I stretched several times a day for 30-45 seconds. The towel stretch, the toe stretch, and the calf stretch were all helpful for me.
Overall, these things helped me holistically target my plantar fasciitis. I continue to wear Hokas and Superfeet for running, take my supplements, and do my stretches to stay healthy.
Don’t let plantar fasciitis keep you from doing what you love. With the right treatment and care, you can overcome it!
Remember to consult with a medical professional to determine the best course of action for you, since I’m not a doctor- I’m just sharing what brought me relief!
If you want to know how I got into running, I have a blog post here.
I hope this was helpful!
A vessel sharing positivity through beauty, wellness, and personal style.
