🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan21.122928.10710@ncrcae.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM> dougg@churchill.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM (Doug.Gilliam) writes:
[wrt plantar fasciitis]

>When I do start back, I plan to start walking for a few days and then
>gradually begin joging at a very slow pace.  I would like to have some
>opinions from people whether they think it would be O.K. for me to
>start back very slowly now or whether I should wait for a while.  If I
>should wait, how will I know when it's O.K. to start back.  Should I
>wait until I can't feel anything in either foot?  Should I wait for
>another month after I can't feel anything in either foot?  Should I
>wait even longer?  Or, is it not that risky to start back running now
>given that I can just barely feel it in one foot?

    The thing about PF is that it is more a symptom than a primary injury;
that is, it results from some kind of biomechanical problem that, if not
corrected, will cause PF again.  You don't say if you have done anything in
addition to rest, but, if my and my many fellow PF-sufferers' experience
means something, I'd suggest stretching and orthotics as you recover.
    PF is most often caused by pronation, which in turn is usually the
result of poor flexibility, especially in the gastrocnemius and soleus
muscles.  Podiatrists usually suggest both orthotics and lots of
stretching.
    In my case (this month is the one-year anniversary of PF onset for me,
and I'm essentially completely recovered), I didn't stop running at all,
since I got orthotics right away.  But, my recovery didn't really progress
well until I got *serious* about stretching, esp. all of the rear leg
muscles.  Since PF usually doesn't hurt when you're actually running, it's
hard to use pain as a guide.  I would agree with "Lore of Running" in this
case that rest is seldom the best response to a running injury.  The right
orthotics can remove your pain instantly, and you can get back to running
right away.
    Good luck!
-- 
   ******************************************************************
     Howard Black                             cfthb@ux1.cts.eiu.edu
     Department of Chemistry                  Eastern Illinois Univ.