Plantar Fasciitis Pain: Holistic Treatment

| Modified on Aug 18, 2024
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Plantar Fasciitis
Posted by Selina (Morristown Tn ) on 02/24/2016
★★★★★

A friend recommended fermented cod liver oil to me for my plantar fascitis. She swears it cured her husband and son-n-law. I took one dose and can already tell it is helping. It is absolutely disgusting to take but if it will help I'm willing to continue.


Lysine
Posted by judith (USA) on 12/30/2023
★★★★★

Lysine for canker sores works wonders! My son had a mouthful after having his wisdom teeth out and they healed up quickly. Recently I had plantar facitis and found 5 star reviews for lysine and tried it and it worked in 24 hours! Amazing stuff. I don't know what the chemistry behind it is, but I am grateful!


Water Fast
Posted by Dpolla8 (Fort Worth TX) on 12/07/2023
★★★★★

I3-day water fast cured my plantar fasciitis 90%

tried everything, to heal my planter fasciitis, and had it for 11 months. I finally decided after trying everything from shoes to massages and more, that I'd try a three day fast to see if autophagy could help them. And miraculously, they were 90% better afterward! Then, I transitioned to barefoot shoes and they are now 100% healed! Just a couple of weeks after the 3 day water fast. I'm just so excited I no longer have foot pain every morning or when resting. The three day water fast was not easy, and I did not like it at all, but it was worth getting through for the healing. I do think if I could have lasted a whole week, they would've been 100%.


Lysine
Posted by Jeanne G. (Colorado) on 11/09/2023

Lysine is supposedly really important for creating collagen in body, so that would make sense. Glad it is working for you. I need to take some for my old plantar fascia injury that has healed fine, with exception of a small area under one toe. Thanks for sharing!


Lysine
Posted by Judith (Duxbury, MA) on 11/03/2023
★★★★★

Thank you, Priscilla and others who posted their lysine plantar fasciitis healing accounts! I wish I could give you each a huge hug and high five! I had never heard of plantar fasciitis until recently I felt like I bruised the sole of my heal and it was worsening by the day. I'm fairly sure it happened when I started walking miles in new shoes. By yesterday, three weeks into this, I really couldn't walk at all without a fairly high level of pain. So, I came to Earth Clinic to see what I could find. After reading through all the different suggestions, I noticed that lysine was the only remedy offered where each person who reviewed it gave it 5 stars. I had it at home and immediately took 4,000 mg. This morning when I woke up all the pain was gone! I find myself still walking gingerly and then realize I don't have to! I will continue taking lysine for the next several days and if there is any change in symptoms, I will return and post. This is a miracle treatment! Thank you and bless you Earth Clinic! You always come through, changing lives and healing people!


Lysine
Posted by Olivia (Sacramento, CA) on 05/26/2023
★★★★★

I have been suffering with plantar fasciitis since Nov. 2022. This past Monday evening I felt a fever blister developing on my lip so I took 3,000 mg. of Lysine at bedtime. The next morning I was amazed to find the pain in both feet reduced by 95%!!! I have been taking 2,000 mg. of Lysine 3 times a days for the past 4 days and feel I will be completely healed in the 2 or 3 days. Once I am healed I plan to slowly reduce my dosage down to 1,000 mg. once a day so I will never have to deal with this painful condition again. I am so glad my fever blister led to this simple miracle cure! Everyone, please try this remedy and pass it on to everyone you know.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by nigel (canada) on 11/21/2022

Now this is interesting. You don't take borax, do you perchance? I found this site after reading another article about the importance of boron as a vital nutrient. they were saying that it facilitates the proper communication between mineral elements in the body, most particularly calcium and magnesium, and that without boron calcium deposits are much more likely to build up throughout the body.

I currently have plantar fasciitis that keeps just nearly getting better but I always end up straining it. so my problem is largely mechanical but I can't just stop standing for weeks on end so hopefully ACV and continuing with borax will help.


B-12
Posted by Dano (Idaho) on 11/03/2022

I believe the correct measurement is micrograms (mcg), not milligrams (mg). 7000 mg of B-12 would be a huge dose and possibly dangerous.


Massage Gun
Posted by Magnolia (US) on 09/26/2022
★★★★★

Plantar Fasciitis

Get you a massage gun from Amazon - many to choose from. It will cut the pain almost immediately and begin the healing process. My daughter-in-law and I both had it at the same time and it worked for us both. She delayed getting one about 6 six weeks and was sorry she waited. Go slowly and on low speed and keep it moving over the bottom of the foot and over the calf muscles - beats anything else that I tried by far!!!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Magnolia (US) on 09/26/2022

Get you a massage gun from Amazon - many to choose from. It will cut the pain almost immediately and begin the healing process. My daughter-in-law and I both had it at the same time and it worked for us both. She delayed getting one about 6 six weeks and was sorry she waited. Go slowly and on low speed and keep it moving over the bottom of the foot and over the calf muscles - beats anything else that I tried by far!!!!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane (California) on 09/25/2022

I take 2 TBLSP in 8 ounces of water in the morning and have been doing this for over a couple months...I don't know if it's helping because I'm doing many other things like stretching the fascia (arch) many times through the day...be gentle...nothing too rough...I think I was too aggressive and possibly injured my arch and it's going to take 6-9 months to repair. I am going to start taking ACV also in the evenings to get this GONE. Good luck. Diane


Massage Gun
Posted by Paracelsus (Orlando, FL) on 08/08/2022 46 posts

I would try niacin (niacinamide to avoid the flush). 500 mg 2x per day. Great for inflammation. Works great for arthritis and I would think it could work for your condition. Give it a try, nothing to lose.


Massage Gun
Posted by Magnolia16 (VA) on 08/08/2022
★★★★★

The fun of plantar fasciitis! I've been suffering with this for about 2 months in one foot, not long from what I have read. I tried many of the exercises on youtube and they were usually too aggressive for me and made the pain worse. I have iced, rubbed my foot with a concoction of magnesium oil, grapefruit seed extract and DSMO and have gotten some relief, but have to do that several times a day. Every "cure" posted here, I have tried and there has been no overnight cure. The only exercise that brings relief is to put my aching foot over the other knee and bend my toes back and forth (into the arch) and hold each one for 30 seconds and do this at least three times. Very helpful and also rolling my foot over a frozen water bottle, and rolling my foot over a golf ball as it massages the sorest parts. Very helpful too. I have new shoes w/expensive arch support that I have since swapped out for old arch support as the new ones were too aggressive.

What has helped most has been a massage gun recommended by a chiropractor. I got mine from Amazon and after using 3 times (twice a day) the pain was reduced at least 50%. I can now walk, more or less normally on that foot and it feels like a deep bruise instead of screaming agony, especially at night. I have been able to do some stand-up cycling on a little machine at home for about 1 mile before it aches and then I roll the foot on a golf ball and then do about 2 minutes of the massage gun. It feels so much better. My gait was so off for weeks that I activated arthritis in my opposite hip and have pain from that to heal now. I am using the massage gun on it now too. I now feel like there is an end in sight and want to share this with you. My massage gun with about 8 different massage heads was about $80 and I had to get a USB-C charger, which many people already have. Good luck with this as it is a real pain! I am glad I am retired and can stop when I have to and I really feel for people who have to work with this painful affliction.

Calc. Fluor 6X
Posted by Art (California) on 07/26/2022 2329 posts

Marie,

She used the recommended dose on her bottle which was 4 pellets dissolved under the tongue 3 times per day and she said that worked for her, but the bottle says it can be taken even more often in acute conditions.

Art


Calc. Fluor 6X
Posted by Marie (Staten Island, NY) on 07/25/2022

Can you tell me a good dosage of calc flour 6x for plantar fasciitis…..how many pills? how many times per day? I am tired of being in pain everyday….thank you!


Lysine
Posted by Priscilla (Ny) on 06/30/2022
★★★★★

It's definitely the Lysine! Same thing w me. I was told to take lysine if I felt a cold sore coming on so I did and the next day my foot felt normal. I've been suffering for so long w my plantar fasciitis to have so much relief was amazing. Going to start taking more.


B-12
Posted by Cynthia (Montreal) on 06/23/2022

Thank you for sharing this video, Tessa!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laticia (Lawton, Oklahoma ) on 06/14/2022

Can you tell me how much Apple cider vinegar do you use for heel pain and how many times a day?

I'm really going through it with this heel pain now both of my feed her but the left one really kills me. Sometimes I get up just to go to the restroom and it's just so painful to walk across the floor.


Videos to Help
Posted by Sue A. (Usa) on 01/27/2022

OMG! Thanks so much for posting this.

exactly what I needed.

good inserts, like SuperFeet, also help.


Videos to Help
Posted by Charity (faithville, Us) on 01/27/2022
★★★★★

Oxalates, uric acid, calcium and plantar fasciitis and spurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nOATly3j9U my spouse has had a lot of the oxalates and uric acid and foot issues, kidney stones, with marathoning, and this video is very simple to follow to recover quickly with added stretch at the end of it

PEMF and Cold Laser
Posted by Rachel (Wellington. NZ) on 01/06/2022

Intetesting therapy. Where did you get the LLL treatment? Can you buy the device and do it yourself? Are PEMF special socks?
Thank you.


Calc. Fluor 6X
Posted by Art (California) on 12/17/2021 2329 posts
★★★★★

I just wanted to do an update on Jane who had heel spurs and plantar fasciitis in both feet that meant that the only way for her to get around was with a wheelchair as the pain was intolerable if she tried to stand on her feet.

As of about 3 months of the treatment plan, both feet are now pain free and her doctors are amazed. Regarding her seizure like issues, she reports that this issue has diminished a bit more also.

It sounds like Jane is going to have a very nice Christmas this year after her doctors had told her about 5 months ago that they could do nothing to help her and that she would remain in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Art


Calc. Fluor 6X
Posted by Art (California) on 12/06/2021 2329 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I recommended a homeopathic remedy to one of my sister's friends. The remedy is often suggested for foot pain in general and many other uses. In this case, Jane had an actual diagnosis from her doctor of plantar fasciitis and heel spurs in both feet. Her severity was such that she could only get around in a wheelchair because it was too painful to stand on her feet.

There are quite a few homeopathic remedies for these two conditions, but I recommended only one remedy to make it easier and simpler for her.

I recommended Calcarea Fluorica 6x (CF) which is commonly used for heel spurs and rarely suggested for plantar fasciitis.

https://www.pureformulas.com/calcarea-fluorica-6x-500-tablets-by-hylands.html

Her two doctors told her that her only option was surgery, but she also has another condition that I do not understand and is as yet undiagnosed. This condition from her description of it, sounds like seizures. She had one of these episodes while at the doctor's office and when he saw it, he told her that surgery is no longer an option for her with this seizure like condition. Needless to say she was distraught after the doctor told her that he had no treatments to offer her and she would have to use a wheel chair for the rest of her life. So my sister asked if I would recommend something for her friend, which I did.

She started on it as soon as she got the CF and about 1 1/2 months later, she reported that the inflammation had diminished to almost nothing and according to her doctor, the plantar fasciitis was much improved, but the bone spurs were still an issue. I had told her at the outset to allow 3 months to see benefit.

At two months she reported that the plantar fasciitis was no longer an issue and the heel spurs were about 95% resolved and her doctors were very surprised at these changes as they had told her that surgery was the only remedy and she was not a candidate for the surgery. All this was good news, but the best news was that she is now walking with a cane and no longer needs a wheelchair!

She is very happy! Her seizure like events have also diminished in quantity and intensity! At 2 1/2 months in, Jane remains on this regimen to see if she can reach 100% recovery. I will suggest regular exercise to try and recover muscle strength in her legs. Being in a wheelchair all the time has no doubt weakened her leg muscles and strengthening those muscles now, will help keep her more stable on her feet and much less likely to fall.

In addition to the homeopathy remedy, I had suggested the use of mag oil or Epsom salt foot soaks with borax. I had also suggested icing to help get the inflammation under control initially and after initial control, to be used only on an as needed basis. That is the whole remedy that was very successful for Jane.

Cod Liver Oil
Posted by Sl (KY) on 11/21/2021

What brand and what dose of cod liver oil did you take? Thanks


Roll Feet on Frozen Bottled Water
Posted by Dotty (Augusta, GA) on 09/28/2021
★★★★★

People might also want to add another step in eliminating plantar fasciitis (such a painfully condition):

Put a bottle of water in the freezer and at least once a day, when it's inflamed, put a thin sock on and roll ur foot back and forth heel to toe over the frozen bottle10-20 min, then simply put the bottle back in the freeze for your next time.

This is also great for tired aching feet!


Avoid Cortisone Shots
Posted by Rosemarie (VA) on 08/29/2021

I had a cortisone shot, physical therapy, done various stretches to try to quell the terrible pain in my heal when I walked. Finally, after reading all the comments I bought the inserts on the website https://heelthatpain.com within 2 days wearing them, my pain vanished.


Zinc
Posted by Jacqs (Midwest, MO) on 08/21/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Zinc Chewables Helping Plantar Fasciitis

I've been experiencing mild to severe pain in my right heel and arch consistently for the past 4 months. Stretching helped but only slightly and temporarily. Mornings were extremely painful and walking any time of day was painful. When I stretched I experienced shooting pain but it provided temporary relief. I was stretching often throughout the day and in the night while sleeping hoping I'd be a bit more limber when I woke up but any relief was temporary… A few minutes or maybe an hour.

About 2 weeks ago I started taking zinc chewable supplements to boost my immune system (because Covid is increasing here) and I FELT NO PAIN ALL DAY in my foot!! I didn't even realize it until the second day when I didn't take zinc and the pain returned… so the third day I went back to the tablets every 3-4 hours and again I experienced NO FOOT PAIN! AT ALL!

I've been taking the zinc chewables regularly (11mg 3-4x a day) and I have SIGNIFICANTLY reduced the pain to nothing or just a mild discomfort in my foot. When I feel any discomfort it's mild and usually after a long day. It does NOT hurt to get out of bed in the morning. Stretching my foot doesn't create sharp shooting pains either! Am I crazy?!? This feels like a wonder drug / miracle!

(note: there are other inactive ingredients in the brand I'm taking; Ascorbic acid, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, sorbitol, starch, sucralose. I want to try a pill form (not chewable) but haven't yet.)


PEMF and Cold Laser
Posted by wondering (NY) on 08/17/2021
★★★★★

I've had PF (Plantar Fasciitis) for over a year. I've waited 4 months to post this until I was sure of my results. I developed PF for the first time in my life a year ago by walking barefoot all the time everyday for weeks, both indoors and outdoors (something I'd never done before). The pain was like a knife in my heel. I tried 4 kinds of night braces, 4 kinds of stretching regimens, wraps, apple cider vinegar and various supplements and creams with no improvement. Some of the most highly touted stretching routines (including some on earth clinic) actually made me worse. Only ice massage alleviated the pain for a few hours. I tried 5 kinds of "PF-specific" shoes, all of which did nothing or made the pain worse, except for 1 pair that at least made walking short distances bearable.

4 months ago I started intensive daily treatments with a 1 watt infra-red LLL (low-level or "cold" laser) on 4 spots on my foot for 3 minutes each. I also used a wearable Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field device directly on the heel for 2-4 hours/day. I don't know whether it was the laser or PEMF (probably both, based on my research) but within a week I started to feel a difference in pain level.

Now, 4 months later, it is 95-100% cured and I have resumed running and hiking for the first time in a year. I say 95% because after doing 3 consecutive days of high intensity running and long distance hiking I can feel something in the heel but the pain is less than 1 on a 1-10 scale. I continue to run every day and still treat with laser and PEMF daily.

B-12
Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 07/21/2021

Hi Joanne G. -

I actually found the following tip on Earth Clinic and it worked for me.

2 Simple Stretches / Exercises to Fix Plantar Fasciitis (Dr. Berg)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXdlPuKfyXs

Dr. Berg has many wonderful, easy-to-understand videos. He explains things simply and with the layperson in mind.

There are also a number of very good remedies in the following Earth Clinic link. Not everything works for everybody but you might get lucky.

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/plantar-fasciitis-treatment-alternative-medicine.html

Cheers,

Tessa


B-12
Posted by Deirdre (CT) on 07/21/2021

Hi Joanne,

Check out an electric shiatsu foot massager with compression (massage, heat, and compression in one machine is the best).

It's pricey, but it does a phenomenal job. I owned one for 3 years and it makes a huge difference when used regularly. My feet get very sore from 22 years of karate and this machine helps immensely.

When I moved across the country recently, I didn't have room for my first cloud massager in my pod, so I gave it away (seriously dumb thing to do). Before ordering another one last December, I tried 2 other less expensive foot shiatsu massagers.. sent one back and gave the other away. NO COMPARISON. This one is the best on the market in my opinion. Unfortunately, it's pricey at $350.

Here's the website... which I see is offering a $120 discount right now.

https://cloudmassage.com/collections/all/products/shiatsu-foot-massager-machine

Read the reviews on Amazon and you'll see how much it has helped people with PF.

https://www.amazon.com/Shiatsu-Foot-Massager-Machine-Circulation/dp/B074P2M8N8

If that link doesn't work for you in Australia, search Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine -Increases Blood Flow Circulation, Deep Kneading, with Heat Therapy -Deep Tissue, Plantar Fasciitis, Diabetics, Neuropathy.


B-12
Posted by Joanne G. (Melbourne, Australia) on 07/21/2021

I suffer from plantar Fascia for more than 18 months. Have tried everything under the sun, nothing responds. I wish I can find a natural cure.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda, Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Patricia (Cali, Colombia) on 11/30/2017
★★★★★

APPLE CIDER WORKS! I have been suffering from Plantar Fascitis and heel spurs since march of this year (2017), I have visited many doctors, purchased all kinds of orthotic devices, braces, anti-inflamatory medication, to no avail... UNTIL I tried the Apple cider vinegar. I have been drinking for the last three days a tbsp of apple cider, a tspn of baking soda, a tbspn of molasses in a small cup of water, three times a day.

I have also wrapped my foot with a small towel soaked in apple cider and I covered it with a plastic bag before going to bed. Last night was the third night that I applied the apple cider to my foot and I am ecstatic! THE PAIN IS GONE!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT! I am soooo grateful for the remedy I found in your website. APPLE CIDER DOES WORK! Thank you very much! Hurray!!!


Borax Soak
Posted by Moira (New 5) on 04/11/2021

How much borax do you use to soak your foot in the water. How much water? Is borax a poison?

EC: No, borax is not a poison!

See https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/borax.html


DMSO
Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 04/04/2021
★★★★★

DMSO for Plantar Fasciitis

I used DMSO on my friend's feet, with a thin layer of Castor Oil first, and then 3 drops of straight liquid DMSO, on each. He felt so much better after just 1 treatment! We are continuing this treatment. While doing a deep dive into how DMSO heals so efficiently, I found asStudy that said it heals by correcting the DNA back to what it's supposed to be doing, in whatever body part is sore. I order it from the DMSO store, online or it can be found at any good health food store in North America. Feel well, lovely Earthclinic community!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by wondering (NY) on 03/20/2021
★★☆☆☆

I was really hoping ACV would help with my PF but after taking it every day for 2 weeks it did absolutely nothing.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Wondering (New York, New York) on 03/20/2021
★☆☆☆☆

I agree. ACV did nothing for me.


B-12
Posted by Wondering (New York, New York) on 03/20/2021

Tried this for 2 weeks. Did nothing unfortunately.


Foot Steam
Posted by Janis (Bloomington MN) on 01/10/2020
★★★★☆

I have a job that keeps me on my feet, walking most of the time, so I haven't had the luxury of just staying off my feet for a few days. I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis for several months and have tried just about everything.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed my heel felt better after a shower, so I was thinking maybe heat is the answer. Then I was disappointed because a heating pad didn't do much, But then I tried moist heat and it has helped tremendously! I just heat up some water in a small saucepan and put my foot over the steam (be careful not to burn yourself!).


B-12
Posted by Laurie (Qualicum Beach, Canada) on 01/13/2021 3 posts

Tessa,

The link you sent regarding Dr. Berg's advice on exercises for plantar fasciitis are excellent! I am feeling instant relief from these. Thanks:)


B-12
Posted by Tessa (Okanagan) on 12/15/2020

Thank you Lindy for mentioning Dr. Berg's exercises. I looked them up on YouTube and will start doing them today.

2 Simple Stretches / Exercises to Fix Plantar Fasciitis: Dr Berg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXdlPuKfyXs

Cheers,

Tessa


B-12
Posted by Lindy (USA) on 12/14/2020

Annette,

I have suffered with PF since spring this year. I have tried so many things, ACV included, and nothing helped. I hope the ACV has a lasting effect for you.

If not, I happened upon a remedy recently that has really done the trick in a short time. Dr.Berg says don't massage the soles of feet and do not stretch the calves. Instead, cross leg of affected foot (man style) and stretch your toes downward using your hand to force the stretch, then relax. Repeat 10 times, or more. This will stretch the top of your foot and your shin muscles and will relax the under side of the foot.

You can position yourself to stretch the same target areas by kneeling on your bed, then lowering your hips to sit on your heels. Use a pillow between your hips and legs if you are not able to sit all of the way down on your heels.

This works! It is effective instantly, although it may take several days for the sole or heel to heal completely. I massaged my feet and stretched my calves faithfully through the months and kept my heel chronically irritated. I am stunned that this simple stretch ended my suffering.


B-12
Posted by annette (New Zealand) on 12/14/2020
★★★★★

I've had Plantar Fasciitis for months and lately could hardly walk at times the pain was so bad. I've always kept cider vinegar but haven't used it for a while.

Last night my son had a tummy bug so I made a bottle of cider vinegar water to help ward of bugs (hate being sick) and low and behold this morning my foot feels so much better... surely it can't be that? So I looked it up and found all that its helped all of you people. Wow!!!



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