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.
Wrapping Foot With Duct Tape
Posted by Lori K (Newport, Va) on 03/27/2010
I have suffered with heel spurs and opted to have them both operated on about 10yrs ago, or so. Now my right foot has symptoms again. Our health insurance no longer covers the foot Dr it did before so I asked my new Chiropractor. I bought 'paper' tape from the drug store (it's not as rough on the tender feet as duct tape). I gently wrapped my instep for 2 weeks, untilII found arch huggers. These are like sturdy ace bandages (a little thicker though). They are sewn together to make a flat seam. I now use this instead of the paper tape. I wear it each day over my socks, inside my sneakers. I take them off at night, and make sure I put this on my bare instep BEFORE I get out of bed each morning. My Plantar Fasciitis is almost 100% better. Plantar Fasciitis is different than heel spur, but maybe if you 'catch' the pain soon enough with the arch support it may not develop into a heel spur? I don't know this, it's just a suggestion. Anything is better than surgery. Good luck to all. Lori K. Newport Va, USA
Supportive Shoes
Posted by Amy (US) on 04/12/2015
★★★★★
I have been having success also with the Vionic shoes.
Foot Stretch
Posted by Susiequeue (Babylon) on 07/23/2012
★★★★★
Thank you! This has helped so much! I still have pain but as soon as it gets bad, I start doing this exercise. Am also trying grapefruit seed extract rubbed on at night, so perhaps the combination is what is working.
Arch Bands
Posted by Kelly (San Francisco, Ca) on 08/15/2009
I've been suffering from acute plantar fasciitis for about 5 years now. I've tried stretches, exercises, ice, and APC with very little luck, so I finally started on cortezone injections, which only had minimal short term effect. I've recently tried an arch band that has helped exponentially. I can't name the brand, but I found it on a dancer supply website.
It's a fabric band that you wrap around your arch. It has a velcro tab that sticks to the fabric, so it's highly adjustable. Attached inside the fabric is a triangular hard foam pad that acts as an insole... even in sandals or bare feet! You buys a pair of them, but I have extremely high arches, so I double up on the foot the I have the most problems with. They're washable, but the fabric tends to break down a bit over time.
I wear them 24/7, except when I'm in the shower, and I've gone from not being able to walk on my heel at all, to being able to get up in the middle of the night with only minimal pain. I've been using them for about 1 month now and, though they haven't taken all the pain away, I can walk somewhat normally now.
Arch Bands
Posted by M. Scott (Pomona, Ca) on 06/04/2016
How are you supposed to wrap the ace bandage on your arches? Have plantar on both feet for about 2 years.
Foam Roller
Posted by Anna (Austin, TX) on 05/08/2009
★★★★★
I've had the plantar fasciitis pretty bad for over a month. I couldn't even walk around the house without being in real pain. I used a firm, foam roller and had one of my kids add a little weight to roll out my calves from the knees down. The very next day the pain was very managable. It's like getting a deep massage. Much more effective than just stretching. The heels still hurt when I stand or sit in one spot for too long. I'm guessing that's the calcium deposit. I'm going to try the ACV treatment. I'm a runner and I'm tired of being sidelined.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Man (FC, CO) on 10/22/2008
★☆☆☆☆
I have had horrible plantar fasciitis pain for year now and have tried everything. My latest attempt was taking ACV too, and it didn't seem to help at all. Other people seem to think it did the trick. I wish I knew a cure. I had to give up running and it's painful to walk.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Francine (Texas, US) on 07/28/2014
Please look into a homeopathic doctor for plantar fasciitis. People have been cured with homeopathy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Constance (Michigan) on 05/21/2018
The type of AVC (Apple Cider Vinegar ) you ingest matters.....Organic with the mother....good brands out there but Braggs is one of the best ones available.....you can find it on Amazon, at health food stores and at some grocery stores and at Vitacost dot com
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Rob (Va) on 10/08/2015
I see a grapefruit seed extract online, which only says use 10 drops and dilute it with water, how are you all doing it? I haven't purchased any bottles yet, I'm going out of my mind because I've been in pain ALL year and nothing has worked!!
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Linda (Dundee, Scotland) on 04/23/2016
Hi I have just read your comments about grapefruit seed extract for plantar fasciitis. I am constantly in pain in both feet with this problem and I was wondering if you need to use a carrier oil with this and what product did you use? Thank you
Boots
Posted by T (Denver, CO) on 10/26/2006
★★★★★
My husband used to have a heel spur, but it completely went away after he started wearing boots a lot. Apparently the back of your shoe can irritate your heel and cause a heel spur, but not so with boots because they go all the way up the back of your calf.
Boots
Posted by Amanda (Cleveland, Ohio) on 05/22/2009
Hi, that sounds like a terrific and simple remedy, but I wanted to point out that the condition that you are describing is not a heal spur. Heal spurs are on the under side of the foot and are due to prolonged cases of plantar fasciitis in which the fascia becomes detached from the bone and a little bump of bone grows in its place. It is the damage to the fascia that causes the pain, not the bone spur itself.
Boots
Posted by Cubuwu (Cordoba, Spain) on 11/09/2012
Not a heel spur? What do I have then? I have a big lump on the back of my heel, at the top of the heelbone. My achilles tendon rubs over it and everytime I sit down it gets really stiff. I can hardly walk! I've read through most of the comments and I don't think any of them will work for me. This has developed WHILE I was taking a daily shot of ACV and Turmeric. I also take 3mg of creatine daily. I want to stop this pain because it's driving me mad. Its getting so bad that I dream about being able to doing sports which involve impact X)
