I’m Trying Several Strategies to Manage Plantar Fasciitis Soreness

With the second week of school behind me, I’m starting to get back into the rhythm of my teaching routine. I recently noticed that, on some days, the bottom of my foot near my heel is sore. This has happened to me in the past, and it usually goes away on its own within a week. It was particularly painful one day, though, so I decided to do a little digging.

It turns out that I probably have some mild plantar fasciitis going on in my right foot. This is when the plantar fascia, the tissue that helps support the arch, gets inflamed. Once I read that, I immediately wondered if it’s more common in people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). A quick Google search revealed it is.

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I suppose that’s not too surprising, given that those of us with EDS tend to have flat feet, as our more lax tendons and ligaments don’t support an arch particularly well. While many medical professionals have suggested arch supports, I’ve found that they tend to cause me extreme pain, to the point where my foot will start cramping uncontrollably. My best guess is that trying to force the presence of an arch in a foot that’s never really had one goes too much against my body’s natural tendencies.

Now that I’m aware of the issue, I’m paying more attention to the shoes that I’m wearing. I’m trying to wear shoes to work that have sufficient support and padding, and I’ve also found that one pair of my horseback riding boots provides better pain relief than the other.

I’ve also been putting Biofreeze on my heel at night before bed, which seems to help some. While ice is often recommended for plantar fasciitis, I’m hesitant to try it. Ice usually backfires for me, as cold tends to make my already tight muscles even tighter. I almost always do better with heat, but I must be careful not to add to the inflammation by applying heat to the region.

I’m thinking about getting a foot roller to see if that helps at all, and I’m hopeful that during my next massage my awesome therapist can make some progress as well. I had success using kinesiology tape on my shoulder many years ago after an injury, and there’s a very basic taping technique I could try on my foot.

While it’s frustrating that EDS has thrown another monkey wrench at me, a little bit of research has led me to a variety of options that I can explore. I’ll be curious to see which ones help as I try them out!

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.