Plantar fasciitis and swimming

Having been a runner most of my life, I've dealt with PF and Achilles Tendonitis (AT) on several occasions. I'm not a a podiatrist or any other medical expert...but let me explain it the way my docs have explained it to me, and offer treatment that has always been beneficial to me. Obviously PF is the Plantar tendon pulling away from the bone on the bottom of your foot (usually at the heel). It's usually caused or exacerbated by over/excessive use (running, walking/running more hills, inclines, and steps,...and pushing of the pool wall, etc). The reason it's difficult to treat is because of the way the foot is maintained when we're NOT on our feet. Like when we're sleeping for example. The foot is relaxed in the "Plantar Flexion" position (see attached picture). The tendon is not under pressure. During the hours while you're in bed the tendon heals in that position. Then, when you wake up and get out of bed...that first step onto the floor stretches the foot and tendon into the "Dorsiflexion" position...and thereby pulling all that good healing out that just occurred while you slept. That's why most PF sufferers feel that pain in the first few steps in the morning. SO, the doc told me, the best way to treat the condition is to wear a night splint when you're in bed or otherwise relaxing around the house until it's fully healed. The splint holds the foot in the Dorsiflexion position and the tendon heals in that position. So, when you take that first step getting out of bed you don't pull all the new healing out. It's always worked for me (and this is also how I treat AT by the way). But you have to wear it as often as possible. Granted...sleeping with the night splint on isn't the most comfortable thing. But it sure works for me. Good luck. 10565 10566 Night Splint Dan

Having been a runner most of my life, I've dealt with PF and Achilles Tendonitis (AT) on several occasions. I'm not a a podiatrist or any other medical expert...but let me explain it the way my docs have explained it to me, and offer treatment that has always been beneficial to me. Obviously PF is the Plantar tendon pulling away from the bone on the bottom of your foot (usually at the heel). It's usually caused or exacerbated by over/excessive use (running, walking/running more hills, inclines, and steps,...and pushing of the pool wall, etc). The reason it's difficult to treat is because of the way the foot is maintained when we're NOT on our feet. Like when we're sleeping for example. The foot is relaxed in the "Plantar Flexion" position (see attached picture). The tendon is not under pressure. During the hours while you're in bed the tendon heals in that position. Then, when you wake up and get out of bed...that first step onto the floor stretches the foot and tendon into the "Dorsiflexion" position...and thereby pulling all that good healing out that just occurred while you slept. That's why most PF sufferers feel that pain in the first few steps in the morning. SO, the doc told me, the best way to treat the condition is to wear a night splint when you're in bed or otherwise relaxing around the house until it's fully healed. The splint holds the foot in the Dorsiflexion position and the tendon heals in that position. So, when you take that first step getting out of bed you don't pull all the new healing out. It's always worked for me (and this is also how I treat AT by the way). But you have to wear it as often as possible. Granted...sleeping with the night splint on isn't the most comfortable thing. But it sure works for me. Good luck. 10565 10566 Night Splint Dan