The Gift Plantar Fasciitis Gave Me
Plantar Fasciitis is a gift from the devil. If you have ever experienced it, you know exactly what I am talking about! However, plantar fasciitis gave me the gift of healing. #silverlining
What am I talking about? I am talking about my MELT Story.
Last year in November of 2021 my co worker Christine and I were attending Dallas Mania, a fitness convention here in Dallas. I was suffering and had been for almost 2 years from plantar fasciitis.
What is plantar fasciitis? As I stated above it is pure evil and pure pain, but plantar fasciitis is maybe the worst possible condition an athlete or someone who leads an active lifestyle can have. The way I described it was, when I would wake up in the morning and walk it was as if there was a nail or a pointy rock driving itself into my heel. It was awful and excruciating!
This pain lasted for two years! I tried everything! I bought red lights to treat it, all kinds of creams and contraptions that I was told if you rubbed on your calf and foot it would help. I bought memberships to Stretch Zone here in Dallas trying to stretch it away. I bought a Thera Gun trying to pound it away. I spent $1000 on shockwave therapy from a doctor. That was awful, maybe worse than labor. I bought special shoes to wear around the house. Special socks, you name it! I tried anything and everything short of snake oil! And the total in dollars that I spent was probably to the tune of $2500 or more trying to cure it. NOTHING WORKED and I had decided it was just something I would have to live with! WRONG!
In November while at the convention, Christine suggested I go to the MELT Class. I had a visceral reaction to her suggestion. It went something like this, “NO WAY! I hate yoga, I don’t like barre or Pilates, show me the dance floor and let’s jam!”
Oddly, (was it odd or was it God?) Sue Hitzman, the founder of MELT was standing right there and heard the conversation. She heard Christine trying to explain as politely as possible that MELT would be good for my heel pain, my knee pain, and my overall performance. Sue overheard this and kindly said, “I too think you should give it a try.” Pretty short and sweet and nothing more than that, but I knew she was the founder and I thought, “Well crap! IF the founder says I should, I guess I should!”
I went and the rest is history. Which, if you have plantar fasciitis that should be music to your ears because this is a condition that comes and goes for a lot of people. Mine came and left and has not returned and I know it is because of MELT.
So back to what is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is basically an issue in the fascial sheaths that support both the bones and tendons of the foot – it’s considered a process of degeneration, strain, inflammation, or thickening of the fascial structures within the foot’s architecture.
I personally think after doing MELT it is a lack of blood and fluid flow in that region, not really inflammation at all….now I am not a doctor, but why did all those promised miracle cures not work, but rehydrating the fascia with a small soft ball and soft roller did????? Things that had me go hmmmmm….
Furthermore, if you are like myself and have instability in your hips or postural instabilities, well that makes us a little more prone to this evil pain and if we can keep fluid and blood flowing I think it helps tremendously. But how do we prevent it and get rid of it once we have it? I have some ideas……
Change your shoes: If you wear high heels stop. I know, this is not fun if you love to dress up but it is the year 2022 and there are plenty of ways to look amazing without that high heel. If your shoes are too tight that is no bueno and ladies and gentlemen flip flops and flat sandals are not your friend! I know they feel great in the summer but come fall and winter you will pay. And speaking of winter, don’t hate me, I am only the messenger, but UGG boots are the worst! I have a few cute shoe options for you, but think Crocs or something similar to these below. At one time Crocs did have a super cute fury boot and I am praying they bring that back or something similar to replace UGGS, but at the moment I don’t see it so I will keep looking for our winter option, but for now, “Just say NO to UGGs.”
2. Using an arch support can help. I had my Chiropractor measure me and watch me walk and we discovered my Right Leg is 1/4” longer than my left. Oddly you would think my right leg would hit the ground first but for some reason when I walk my shorter leg does and I just drill it into the ground. To stop that we put a lift in my right foot and it has helped TREMENDOUSLY! The cool thing is thought, I would never have known to ask Dr. Ed to look at my legs thinking they could be a lot of my problem had I not studied MELT. Through my studies I learned all about overcompensation, pain, old injuries, passed surgeries, and fascia and because of this I was able to ask more questions and give more history. What is my point? Consider an arch support or a lift. Here is the one I use, but again, I had Dr. Ed measure me and fit me accordingly so I would suggest talking to your doctor to make sure you do what is best for your body.
3. MELT! I am telling you it has been a game changer for me and it can and will be for you too! I offer privates via zoom, or at any of the studios I work at, as well as if you are in my neighborhood I can come to you. I have all the equipment to bring, you can buy the equipment from me so that you can treat yourself, which I can train you to do. In as little as 10 minutes a day we can get you freed from that evil pain! Use this link and schedule your appointment with me privately or this link and join me on August 24, 2022 at 1 PM CST for a group session at For Better Healthy Pilates Studio.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
4. Untuck those sheets. Listen I bought that contraption that you wear at night that keeps your foot flexed and your heel stretching. IT DOES NOT WORK and it is super uncomfortable. What worked for me is simply untucking my sheets which kept the sheet from putting pressure on my foot and kept me from pointing my toes all night, which shortens the tissue for the entire time you are asleep, creating even more pain and problems. I am telling you, untuck the sheets and put socks on if your feet get cold or come out from under the sheet. I promise you will thank me later.
If you are looking for ways to get out heel pain try these and for more ways to combat foot pain daily and reduce your chances of suffering from chronic plantar fasciitis call me! I am here to help you and ensure that you can lead the HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE you want at ANY AGE! It is possible and it starts with the fascia!
Until Next Time,
Amy
aka~Worthy
