Besides the icing, wrapping, taping and splint therapy options...anyone have any other suggestions BESIDES steroid injection? (Had that a number of years ago and not ever doing THAT again!)

I saw a hand-held ultrasound online but it's pricey. Anybody have experience with one of those?

Aren't there physical therapy treatments for it?

Yes, stretching exercises...I do those, too.

Have to be careful about stretching. The PF itself is not very elastic
at all and is probably torn slightly which is contributing to the pain.

Rest is the number 1 thing you can do along with NSAIDS and some
gentle massage and icing. Rest will ultimately allow the inflamation
to subside and any healing to occur naturally. Rest is the key.

Here is a link:

http://thesportfactory.com/site/trainingnews/Overcoming_Plantar_Fascitis.shtml

I've had ultrasound done when I had PF. It was amazing. I would definitely recommend it. Also, the stretching is essential to keeping PF at bay. A really good exercise that is easy to do would be to use a step and have your sore foot on the floor, then put your other foot on the step above as if you are going to walk up the steps. Next lean forward on the leg on the step. Keep your foot on the floor flat. After this put the sore foot up a step at the toes. Drop your heel down and feel the stretch. Very important also is to invest in proper orthotics measured to your foot. If you do these things PF will not bother you any longer.

Great, thanks. The ultrasound was what I was really curious about - it's the only piece that I've not tried. Any insight about the home/hand-held units?

I had mine done at the podiatrists office. It's a very different therapy. It feels like an intense foot rub and it makes your toes go all wonky.

Other than the obvious that u probably already know, I don't have any suggestions, sorry. I have had it since 2001. I never go barefoot or wear flats. It's best for me to wear shoes for support as much as possible.

For me, a heel height of about an inch and a half seems to be best. I almost always have shoes inserts for better support. I did buy a good pair of gel (insole) tennis shoes recently and they seem to be better for me.

You should go to an orthopedic foot store and they may help you more than a doctor's appt. You probably know they make custom insoles at certain shoe stores.

Good luck, hope it gets better!

Hi I am a physio for plantar fascitis I would use kinesio tape and sports massage :)