A curse to runners and hikers alike, plantar fasciitis can hit anyone at any age and bench you for a long while with heel pain. I recently got this annoying and painful foot affliction during the summer and suffered through it on two backpacking trips. I realized that it coincided with getting new hardwood floors in the bedroom of my house and now all the surfaces I’m walking on are hard. It doesn’t help to have high arches as well. Heel pain is caused by heel spurs and tendonitis in the bottom of your feet.
Me hiking the John Muir Wilderness despite the heel pain
I went to a podiatrist and he told me I have a small bone spur and gave me some ibuprofen and a sleeping splint which holds my foot in a flexed position while I sleep. I was able to get rid of this with a combination of ice, splints, arch support and floor pads. I’m suggesting a few items here to soften the world around you in an effort to get rid of this affliction.
How do we fix heel pain???
Softer Flooring
Hard floor can cause heel pain. So, make the areas that you stand on a lot around your house much softer by adding gel mats. I’ve tried a lot of off brands and knock offs but there is really no replacement for Gelpro Mats. They have unparalleled technology for relieving foot and leg pain.
- Newlife Decorative Gelpro Math: https://amzn.to/482WDQC
- GelPro Designer Comfort Ergo-Foam Cushioned Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Floor Mat: https://amzn.to/3BQvfZP
Heel Pain Shoe Insert
- Heel That Pain High Arch Plantar Fasciitis Insoles: https://amzn.to/407Duea
- Dr. Scholls Heel Cushions: https://amzn.to/3zSuajX
- Heel Seats by Heel That Pain: https://amzn.to/48eswFJ
- Dr. Scholls Arch Supports: https://amzn.to/3NQ5P1z
Heel Pain Compression Socks
- Feetures Plantar Fasciitis Relief Socks: https://amzn.to/4h2QDeC
- PhysFlex Compression Socks for Plantar Fasciitis: https://amzn.to/4eOfwcn
Foot Splints
The podiatrist that I visited gave me a night splint almost exactly like the ones you can get on Amazon. It works but is very uncomfortable to sleep in, so I’m suggesting a softer one here that is much more comfortable.
- MYSEXY Plantar Fasciitis Night Splints: https://amzn.to/3Uh5Dfk
- Medibot Plantar Fasciitis Night Splint (this is identical to the one you get from a podiatrist): https://amzn.to/40a8xGn
Pain Patches
- Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Patch: https://amzn.to/4h3Cb6h
- M Pain Management Technologies Heel Spur Cream: https://amzn.to/4dVppUq
- Aspercreme Lidocaine Foot Pain Relief Cream: https://amzn.to/4hbA1Bn
Ice Packs and Foot Rollers
- Beskar Massaging Foot Roller for Plantar Fasciitis Relief: https://amzn.to/4eZt6JQ
- FOMI Hot Cold Gel Sleeve: https://amzn.to/3NuWrA3
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