<p>For sandals, try Chaco since they have a very solid arch support. (though they are very casual and earthy looking) I have a medium width foot, but my doc recommended the wide Chaco’s because the arch is “wider”.</p>
<p>I keep a tennis ball in my desk drawer at work. While sitting at my desk I just roll the ball under my foot. It really helps.</p>
<p>I battled it for almost a year with no success. What worked for me was completely giving up flip flops and flats. I found some flip flops with wedge heels that work if I don’t overdo. I went back to wearing low heels every day to work. I street every morning for a few minutes before getting out of bed (against footboard) when lying down (against arm of sofa). Good support sneakers for walking.</p>
<p>this is the best for stretching the calf:
[ProStretch</a> - Eliminate Heel Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Shin Splints Like A Pro](<a href=“ProStretch® | Buy ProStretch Stretching Foot Rockers & Massage Tools Online - Medi-Dyne”>http://prostretch.com/)</p>
<p>use in addition, not as a substitute for hanging heels off stairs, but it is the best for getting the calf and tendon stretched properly. If you’re not using it, when you stretch your calf, make sure the back foot is pointed forward, parallel to the front; I had it duck-footed and never stretched my calf properly for years!</p>
<p>I agree with arabrab: everything is connected. It is not enough to stretch only the muscle in question. I second, third and fourth the yoga suggestion. I’ve found this the best way to get the whole body stretched out and the interconnected muscles loosened up.</p>
<p>We have one of those in our office fitness center. I never knew what its purpose was.</p>
<p>Perform Better has the ProStretch for $29.95 with free shipping thru July 21st.</p>
<p>[Product</a> - ProStretch](<a href=“http://www.performbetter.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_3581_A_CategoryID_E_280]Product”>http://www.performbetter.com/detail.aspx_Q_ID_E_3581_A_CategoryID_E_280)</p>
<p>What has helped:</p>
<p>biking, as it works the achilles tendon
ice, when it really hurts
having arch supporting sandals next to the bed for first step in the morning
downward facing dog
changing shoes frequently
wearing birkenstocks more often
my German shoe inserts, Pedaq Holiday. They are more padded in the right places than Superfeet or my custom orthotics. Superfeet don’t work for everyone, or so I found after reading the reviews and wondering why they hurt so much. But my problem is due to long hours on my feet at work, so may have an arthritic component. The orthotics are too hard and I need to take them back for a foam coating. </p>
<p>One theory I read is that some of this rash of foot problems is due to our tendency to have our feet coddled in perfectly supporting shoes all the time. Over time, I’ve been trying to exercise my feet more, do ankle circles, walk barefoot on sand, lift and curl toes. Gradually things are impressively improving, though I think I’ll always have a chronic problem, unless on vacation. </p>
<p>Sometimes I think of all the money I’ve spent on sturdy, healthy shoes, since age 19. Perhaps I’d be better off if I’d spent my life in stilettos , for as good as my feet feel at this age.</p>
<p>After walking around town this morning… I am reminded that how you walk is important, too. You should be engaging your whole foot as you walk, so that in a sense it’s like you’re rolling through the sole, not just banging it all down at once. You will feel your calf muscles engage if you are walking properly.</p>
<p>I agree, too, with the strengthening the foot itself.</p>
<p>All this foot talk and I had to try a pair of the SuperFeet flip flops. Zappos delivered them today. Ridiculously expensive, just like the inserts, but…</p>
<p>Fanstasic! They have the same profile as SuperFeet inserts. Deep heel cup and the same arch support. The inner surface is textured rubber, so it’s like a foot massage as you walk. </p>
<p>The bottom sole is fairly substantial, like an athletic shoe, with rubber on the bottom for traction. </p>
<p>All in all, if you love your SuperFeet, you’ll love these sandals/flip flops.</p>
<p>I will second what Laketime mentioned upthread: FIT FLOPS…have tried much of what has been mentioned - have had PF in both heels - 1 cleared up with a cortisone shot but did not work in the other - pain for 18 months while trying everything imaginable - Dr. said absolutely NO flip flops but I tried the Fit Flops based on a friend’s recommendation and within about 3 weeks I was pain free and have been for over a year. Goodluck.</p>
<p>I agree with the Birkenstock recommendation, but I prefer the regular foodbed over the soft footbed. I had terrible PF in both feet and switching to Birki’s cured me – I have learned I really need a shoe with good arch support and a heel cup. No problems since then, but if I switch shoes (and I do sometimes have to wear dressier shoes for work) I can feel the pain coming back again. Good luck!</p>
<p>I purchased my first pair of Fit Flops about three weeks ago and absolutely love them. Got them at DSW Shoe Warehouse for $35. They are not the color I would have chosen, but they were the only color they had. I wear them after work while cooking dinner, etc., to go to the grocery store, etc. I can tell they are making a difference in my heel pain.</p>
<p>On the Fit Flops website, they sell other styles of shoes besides the flip-flop style. I am thinking about buying some of the lace-up ones that sort of look like old-fashioned Keds. Just wondering if anyone has worn the other styles of Fit Flops.</p>
<p>Birkenstocks are the wonder shoes for plantar fasciitis. I tried everything except surgery (night splints, physical therapy, too much ibuprofen) and then I started wearing Birkenstocks all the time for several weeks (the poster who said never to go barefoot is right). My problem cleared right up. I got teased by my husband about running off to join a commune but I don’t care. I love Birkenstocks.</p>
<p>I came across this website with much information on how to treat plantar fasciitis:</p>
<p>[RONJONES.ORG:</a> “Plantar Fasciitis-How To Fix YOUR OWN Foot!”](<a href=“http://www.ronjones.org/Coach&Train/BodyXerciseLibrary/SpecialConditions/PlantarFasciitis.html]RONJONES.ORG:”>RONJONES.ORG: "Plantar Fasciitis-How To Fix YOUR OWN Foot!")</p>
<p>I’ve never had it, but recently I’ve had a pain in one foot and I’m wondering whether it is a variant. Sometimes a certain point on one foot, on the bottom, near the intersection of the outer edge of the foot and the edge of the heel toward the toe, starts hurting for no apparent reason. The pain is significant, it kind of takes my breath away, but it always subsides quickly. It may come back a few times, but I don’t have it most of the time. Does anyone know what this is?</p>
<p>I go barefoot whenever possible.</p>
<p>I see this is an older thread, but I thought I’d throw out my cure. I used to suffer from incredible heel pain years ago. I basically walked on my tip-toes most of the time. On a business trip, I went into a sporting goods store and bought a pair of Asics gel-sole running shoes. As I walked around in them, my heels still hurt, but they felt much better. After about a month or two, the pain was completely gone and I could wear other shoes with no pain. It’s been over 15 years and I’ve not had any heel pain no matter what I’m wearing or not wearing on my feet.</p>
<p>I’ve only bought Asics since then (currently have 4 pairs). I also recommend you use a shoe fitter program such as the one at RoadRunnerSports.com to make sure you get the right fit. For me, I needed motion control for the best fit and I now know what to check for it.</p>
<p>NJSue, I love my Birks too. I’m wearing them now. I had PF a couple of years ago and it was terrible. I’ve not gone barefooted or worn flip-flops for any appreciable amt. of time since. Don’t won’t to go through that searing pain again. </p>
<p>I wear Birkenstocks,Mephisto (the Helen style…looks like Birks) and Chaco sandals plus Saucony ProGrid Ride running shoes with Super Feet inserts in the summer. When it’s too cold for sandals, I wear Danskos or whatever shoe my Super Feet insoles will go in.<br>
The shoes that are the best for your feet are not cheap but I’m not willing to risk living w/ PF again.</p>
<p>"Perform Better has the ProStretch for $29.95 with free shipping thru July 21st.</p>
<p>Product - ProStretch"</p>
<p>I have this and love it. I had PF in both feet (also from wearing worn tennis shoes like another poster.) Went to the podiatrist and got custom orthotics - it took awhile to get them 4weeks or so - but well worth the wait and I also went to PT. PT put my feet in warm pulverized corn husks, did ultra sound and massage and had me use the pro-stretch. It worked so well I ordered one for myself. </p>
<p>I also do yoga once a week and that has helped tremendously in keeping my Achilles and cafe muscles from tightening up. </p>
<p>Ditto on not wearing flip-flops or going barefoot. In the house I wear a croc like garden shoe and when I am running around doing errands I wear a walking sneak with orthotics. I still can’t give up my very high heels because I love shoes.</p>
<p>The ONLY shoes I can wear are the Orthaheel flip flops model Tide or Kinetic. (the other flip flops they offer had really uncomfortable toe straps.</p>
<p>[Tide</a> Sandal](<a href=“http://www.orthaheelusa.com/tide-sandal.html]Tide”>http://www.orthaheelusa.com/tide-sandal.html)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.orthaheelusa.com/women/sandals/kinetic-sandal.html[/url]”>http://www.orthaheelusa.com/women/sandals/kinetic-sandal.html</a></p>
<p>I am not usually a flip flop kind of gal. I tried 2 of their dressier slide in sandals and my foot would not stay in the heel cup so the toe strap must help with controlling my foot position.</p>
<p>I am not a flip flop person but I bought a pair of FitFlop Hykas and I just loved them, right out of the box. They feel great on my heel when I walk and I feel like there is no problem with my feet feeling squished. I feel like I can walk in them forever.</p>
<p>[FitFlop</a> Hyka Sandals - Midnight](<a href=“http://www.islandtrends.com/fitflop-hyka-sandals-midnight-10582?gclid=CM2CgvShsqsCFUw0QgodHVRVdA]FitFlop”>http://www.islandtrends.com/fitflop-hyka-sandals-midnight-10582?gclid=CM2CgvShsqsCFUw0QgodHVRVdA)</p>
<p>I have bought a pair of the sneaker type of fit flops. I like them, but they were very expensive. The toe box has lots of room, but it’s not a sandal. They are growing on me. </p>
<p>[FF</a> Supersneaker Dark Shadow](<a href=“http://www.soleprovisionsshop.com/FF_Supersneaker_Dark_Shadow_p/155-169.htm]FF”>http://www.soleprovisionsshop.com/FF_Supersneaker_Dark_Shadow_p/155-169.htm)</p>
<p>I had it for two years and i am a nurse. nothing helped not 300.00 orthotics or ice, or meds. i didnt want the shot. I went to a chiropracter who warmed them and then basically stripped the bottoms out with her thumbs, painful but it worked and I havent had it since!</p>