Will Plantar Fasciitis Compel Herculodge, AKA Mr. Man Points, to Wear Birkenstocks?

 

I'm no Kobe Bryant or Antonio Gates, both sufferers of plantar fasciitis, but my own struggle with that foot pain has led to a conversation with my stepmother who also has the affliction. Her doctor told her the following:

Never do anything barefoot. That includes my power yoga workouts, showers, walking around the house, etc. Always wear supportive shoes, sandals, flip flops, etc. 

Always wear arch supports, the best being the the $60 Birkenstock variety.

If you can stomach their fashion, wear Birkenstock at all times.

The latter presents a challenge, but I'll try anything to get this pain to go away. 

Comments

[Jesse Menn]

Just don't do it with socks on...

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Jesse, I copy that.

[Angelo]

Jeff: You just aren't the type for Birkenstocks. My wife wore them on occasion. I know a masquline guy (drummer in a band) who wears them in the Summer----but he's in a band----sort of a guy who should have been growing up with the Beatles instead of Flock of Seagulls----but somehow, he makes the Birkenstocks work. But you? With a huge, chunk Nixon watch on your wrist? No, I don't see it. Doesn't Teva make an expensive sandal that would work and look more athletic on you?

[Jeffrey McMahon]

I'll check out Teva. My stepmother's doctor was adamant about the Birkenstock brand however.

[David]

Jeff: There are a several stretching and strengthening exercises for plantar fasciitis, that you can find online.

[David]

Wow, my last comment was in dire need of proofreading!

[Bill]

Jeff, been there, done that. After serious pain upon walking as little as 50 feet and being reduced to sitting in a rolling chair to get around my classroom, I went to my shoe store and was immediately diagnosed and "cured" by my guy there. (You should have a shoe guy, someone professional in his attitude and knowledge, who knows you'll always come back to him for shoes, because he will never send you out of the store with unsuitable shoes.) Dave put me in Birkenstock orthotics that fit inside my shoes. All you need is shoes with removable sole pads so you can slip the orthotics underneath them. Birkenstock, at the time I got them, made two kinds of orthotics: brown extra-strong rise and blue milder rise. The key is to keep your foot's bottom tendon flexed and relaxed so it won't irritate the lining tissue around it. You must wear the support for only a few hours a day for a few days, then go to full-time. I no longer need it daily, but I still wear the orthotics when I'm going to be on my feet or working with tools for a period of hours. Merrell shoes are great about having removable liners that will fit over the orthotics, BTW. Good Luck.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Dave, I'm doing those exercises as I write this. Thanks. Bill, I just bought those supports from Birkenstock. I bought the blue ones online. Maybe I'll get the brown version as well. Thanks.

[Charles N.]

Jeff: I've enjoyed reading your blog for some time. I am an (ex)university prof who who has been in love with radios for as long as I can remember.

But I'm compelled for the first time to post something on your site in reference to your problem with Plantar Fasciitis. I discovered that I suffered from this ailment about 7 years ago; and believe me, I was in some serious pain. Being unemployed at the time (with no health insurance), I ended up going into a shoe store--called Foot Solutions--that specializes in orthopedic shoes and accessories. And my experience was similar to that described above by Bill. I was fitted for a couple pair of shoes that featured removable insoles, which I replaced with Power Step orthopedic inserts. Although I wouldn't say that I'm 100% cured, I can go about my daily business and excercize without any pain, which more than I ever expected.

I've never used Birkenstocks; however, there are two brands of shoes that I highly recommend in conjuction with replacement insoles. Brooks makes great atheletic shoes; and P.W. Minor makes high quality casual & dress shoes. Neither of these brands is cheap: but I'm not about to skimp when it comes to my feet! My advice to you is to find a place such as Foot Solutions (this is a national chain), and have them fit you with a couple pair of shoes. If they work you, you can make future purchases for replacements at places such as Zappos or Amazon.

Oh...I almost forgot. If you're into slippers, try out a pair of German-made Haflinger's. They are super comfortable and are the only slippers I know of that have arch supports!

[Jeffrey McMahon]

Charles, I've written down those brand names and will seek a Foot Solutions. Thanks. I'm confident I'll beat this FP.

[Brian]

I too suffer from PF. I've had Birkenstocks and they definitely helped, but the best solution for me to this problem has been custom made orthotic inserts that were made for me by a podiatrist. They seemed expensive, I think they cost me about five hundred dollars, but after wearing them for the last two years, they have been more that worth it.