Plantar Fasciitis Pain: Holistic Treatment

Magnesium Oil

Posted by Pepper (Melbourne, Vic, Australia) on 03/09/2012
★★★★★

I am 55 years, usually in pretty good health and in a healthy weight range. I have had physio therapy, painkillers for heel spur/plantar fascia on left foot for 4 months with no relief and ended up on crutches, it was that bad.

Also suffering from a Morton's Neuroma on ball of right foot thought to be aggrevated by stress and unnatural walking and favouring of left foot problems. Was in a job where I was on my feet all day so possibly what caused or exacerbated the problem.

Well I have just discovered Magnesium oil rub at my health food store (Karma Rub but there are many brands of Magnesium oil to choose from) and day three of using I am off crutches and the pain in my heel/ fascia so much better. Ball of foot taking a little longer but it is definitely getting better. I can't believe it... Wish I'd discovered it months ago! It's a miracle!

I am also going to look into Serra Plus tabs/capsules to speed up the healing process as heard they are very good for my type of feet problems. Magnesium also helps with anxiety which I suffer from so that is an added bonus! Feeling much calmer but it could have something to do with being in no pain!

All I can say is it works for me so it might help you... No harm in giving it a try. Magnesuim Oil!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mark, (Forest Lake, Minnesota) on 08/06/2011
★★★★★

I have suffered from severe pain from plantar fascitis and bone heel spurs on both of my feet for over a year now. I have done excersises(given from a P/T), soaking(epsom saltwater), arch supports(professionally made), prayer, ultrasound, corizone shots(the most painful shot in my entire life--ouch), prescription meds, lots and lots of ibuprofren and other ideas.

My orthopedic doctor says he has tryed just about everything he knows and now is trying to ready me for surgury!!! No way in 'H' 'E' double toothpicks will both my feet be cut open!! No way!

I am now trying the ACV wrap on my heels at night with the hopes that this will give me even a hint of relief from this severe pain, (like knives pushing in at the bottom of my feet). Actually, I am anticipating this life altering condition to get much, much better (Lord willing).

My wife (Wendy) helped to come up with this idea about this uncomfortable wrap. She took a female Pad (Always maxi pad), fold it in the center and cut it in half with a sharp scissors, fold the tabs over in the back. Use about 2 tsp for each half and spread around on one end. Use this end to place against your heel and use cheap paper or sport tape to hold in place. I then use a long, larger tube sock to slide over entire piece(being careful not to pull it out of place), and whulla, a cleaner more practical disposable ACV wrap.

I do seem to been having LESS severe pain since I started the wrap (3 days ago) and now am taking the Apple cider/baking soda mixture drink twice and day. (2 tbs apple cider, 1 tsp. Baking soda, 1 tbs honey, 6 oz. Water) the honey makes it bearable to drink. Ha ha (Twice a day).

Foot Stretch

Posted by Corinna (London, Kent, England) on 02/05/2010
★★★★★

I suffered months with debilitating foot pain (plantar fasciitis). Eventually, I found a ridiculously simple cure: Simply stretch the sole of your foot as you take slow steps. Roll over the ball of your feet gently, leave the toes on the ground and then stretch the sole of your feet for a second or two. Repeat 10 to 20 times several times a day. The foot pain got immediately better and generally subsided during the course of 2 or 3 weeks. I have since been pain free for one year.

Massage Gun

Posted by Magnolia16 (VA) on 08/08/2022
★★★★★

The fun of plantar fasciitis! I've been suffering with this for about 2 months in one foot, not long from what I have read. I tried many of the exercises on youtube and they were usually too aggressive for me and made the pain worse. I have iced, rubbed my foot with a concoction of magnesium oil, grapefruit seed extract and DSMO and have gotten some relief, but have to do that several times a day. Every "cure" posted here, I have tried and there has been no overnight cure. The only exercise that brings relief is to put my aching foot over the other knee and bend my toes back and forth (into the arch) and hold each one for 30 seconds and do this at least three times. Very helpful and also rolling my foot over a frozen water bottle, and rolling my foot over a golf ball as it massages the sorest parts. Very helpful too. I have new shoes w/expensive arch support that I have since swapped out for old arch support as the new ones were too aggressive.

What has helped most has been a massage gun recommended by a chiropractor. I got mine from Amazon and after using 3 times (twice a day) the pain was reduced at least 50%. I can now walk, more or less normally on that foot and it feels like a deep bruise instead of screaming agony, especially at night. I have been able to do some stand-up cycling on a little machine at home for about 1 mile before it aches and then I roll the foot on a golf ball and then do about 2 minutes of the massage gun. It feels so much better. My gait was so off for weeks that I activated arthritis in my opposite hip and have pain from that to heal now. I am using the massage gun on it now too. I now feel like there is an end in sight and want to share this with you. My massage gun with about 8 different massage heads was about $80 and I had to get a USB-C charger, which many people already have. Good luck with this as it is a real pain! I am glad I am retired and can stop when I have to and I really feel for people who have to work with this painful affliction.

PEMF and Cold Laser

Posted by wondering (NY) on 08/17/2021
★★★★★

I've had PF (Plantar Fasciitis) for over a year. I've waited 4 months to post this until I was sure of my results. I developed PF for the first time in my life a year ago by walking barefoot all the time everyday for weeks, both indoors and outdoors (something I'd never done before). The pain was like a knife in my heel. I tried 4 kinds of night braces, 4 kinds of stretching regimens, wraps, apple cider vinegar and various supplements and creams with no improvement. Some of the most highly touted stretching routines (including some on earth clinic) actually made me worse. Only ice massage alleviated the pain for a few hours. I tried 5 kinds of "PF-specific" shoes, all of which did nothing or made the pain worse, except for 1 pair that at least made walking short distances bearable.

4 months ago I started intensive daily treatments with a 1 watt infra-red LLL (low-level or "cold" laser) on 4 spots on my foot for 3 minutes each. I also used a wearable Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field device directly on the heel for 2-4 hours/day. I don't know whether it was the laser or PEMF (probably both, based on my research) but within a week I started to feel a difference in pain level.

Now, 4 months later, it is 95-100% cured and I have resumed running and hiking for the first time in a year. I say 95% because after doing 3 consecutive days of high intensity running and long distance hiking I can feel something in the heel but the pain is less than 1 on a 1-10 scale. I continue to run every day and still treat with laser and PEMF daily.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by wondering (NY) on 03/20/2021
★★☆☆☆

I was really hoping ACV would help with my PF but after taking it every day for 2 weeks it did absolutely nothing.

High Heels

Posted by Teresa (Morristown, Tn) on 07/22/2015
★★★★★

I've been wearing high heels for a week and this is the first time I've been able to walk with out limping for six months. My plantars fasciitis was so bad I recently had to take a week off work and go to bed. I'd been wearing Crocs with Dr. Scholl's insoles and getting no relief. In desperation, I pulled out an old pair of high heels I never wear anymore and wore them in the house at night, and the next morning the heel pain was almost gone.

Today I'm walking normally and I've begun wearing a pair of clogs that have a two inch heel on them. I guess it really does work for me to stretch the muscles on the bottom of my feet by wearing heels. Hurray!

Gluten-Free Diet

Posted by Anon (USA) on 09/29/2014

I've read that Plantar Fasciitis, Dupuytren's Contracture or Carpal Tunnel ... are signs of iodine deficiency.

Cod Liver Oil

Posted by Mary (Syracuse, New York) on 05/15/2013
★★★★★

I love this site! This is my first post. I'm a 55 year old female and have suffered a good deal of my life from plantar fasciitis. Of late, it has reached a point where if I sit for just a few minutes, any time during the day, I suffer just to get walking again! I came across some info on cod liver oil and decided to try it. Within about 3-4 days my pain was nearly gone! It has also greatly relieved my long standing head and neck pain/strain from wearing bifocals!

I take 2 teaspoons of lemon-flavored cod liver oil mixed up well with 2 teaspoons of milk once a day. Cod liver oil thins the blood, so if you are on blood thinners such as Plavix or Coumadin do not take it! Also, if you have an upcoming surgery, do not take for two weeks before hand! (and a bit after). Pregnant and breastfeeding moms should also avoid! Do your research!

Once you are on it, you can skip a dose or two, but if you stop it, the pain will return! When you stop it for a few days, you realize the benefits you were receiving from it! So, my plantar fasciitis is much better, but not cured.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 09/09/2015

Dear Nicole,

Look for Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses. There are many good brands.

1 Tablespoon a day is enough for many people for their ailments. You could even start with less and increase to up to 2 Tablespoons a day if it suits you.

I put about 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a tall glass of water with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda once or twice a day.

There is no one perfect amount since everyone is different. Usually best to start with less and increase to more.

~Mama to Many~

Foam Roller

Posted by Littlewing (Boston) on 04/05/2018

I agree on the magnesium. Years ago my then boyfriend had this, and he would sit with his feet in my lap and I would put some magnesium oil in my hands and he would put his heels resting in them. Helped in just a few days. Soak your feet in magnesium oil or epson salts. Should help fairly quickly.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Janet (Indiana) on 04/25/2016

Linda, Our family has had 4 different people with this issue. I used a arch pad, very cheap on amazon, eventually mine went away. But what I did not know several things about what causes it. First vitamin d3 deficiency. You maybe can get your Dr. to test you. Some, most do not believe this is a problem. I take 10,000iu a day if I have been in the sun. Most in vitamin d group I am in on facebook have P. F. My mom used the arch and began D3 and is 100% better at 80 yrs old. My husband works on cement, miles of walking 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, for him he wears arches and is doing high dose d3 NOW brand is safe and available in your country I believe, what you want to avoid is safflower oil as an ingredient, should be olive oil or coconut oil only. If you take d3 you will need to increase magnesium At least 6 to 800 mg split in 2 doses everyday mag citrate is good or mag malate if you tend to runny stools. 200mcg of selenium yeast is the third component of this as these 2 minerals are sorely needed also. Because my husband gets little rest he also sees a chiropractor to break up the bunched tissue, this is manipulation to release all the tissue where it belongs no exposed nerve consequently. A great soak is apple cider vinegar as over time it will break up the bundle.

For pain you need a thick heel pad at least 1/8 inch thick, or glue 2 together, with a piece of colored chalk mark the place on your foot thickly, with the chalk, put pad in your shoe, then your foot with the chalk. You now cut a hole in the pad at the chalk mark stabbing in with scissors cut a small hole then increase size so that sore spot does not strike the shoe. This gives immediate relief. I sent them to my mom and she put 1 in her slippers 1 in her shoe so that spot never touched anything until it began to heal. Janet

Water Fast

Posted by Dpolla8 (Fort Worth TX) on 12/07/2023
★★★★★

I3-day water fast cured my plantar fasciitis 90%

tried everything, to heal my planter fasciitis, and had it for 11 months. I finally decided after trying everything from shoes to massages and more, that I'd try a three day fast to see if autophagy could help them. And miraculously, they were 90% better afterward! Then, I transitioned to barefoot shoes and they are now 100% healed! Just a couple of weeks after the 3 day water fast. I'm just so excited I no longer have foot pain every morning or when resting. The three day water fast was not easy, and I did not like it at all, but it was worth getting through for the healing. I do think if I could have lasted a whole week, they would've been 100%.

B-12

Posted by Lindy (USA) on 12/14/2020

Annette,

I have suffered with PF since spring this year. I have tried so many things, ACV included, and nothing helped. I hope the ACV has a lasting effect for you.

If not, I happened upon a remedy recently that has really done the trick in a short time. Dr.Berg says don't massage the soles of feet and do not stretch the calves. Instead, cross leg of affected foot (man style) and stretch your toes downward using your hand to force the stretch, then relax. Repeat 10 times, or more. This will stretch the top of your foot and your shin muscles and will relax the under side of the foot.

You can position yourself to stretch the same target areas by kneeling on your bed, then lowering your hips to sit on your heels. Use a pillow between your hips and legs if you are not able to sit all of the way down on your heels.

This works! It is effective instantly, although it may take several days for the sole or heel to heal completely. I massaged my feet and stretched my calves faithfully through the months and kept my heel chronically irritated. I am stunned that this simple stretch ended my suffering.

Wormwood Foot Soak

Posted by Fran (Usa) on 10/02/2017
★★★★★

Plantar Fasciitis

I used 1 quart of vodka and mix 1 oz with wormwood. I put in dark place turn daily for 8 days, then strain and put on feet every night. I sit with my feet in a pan and let in soak in you should be ready to go and fine in about a week... some people take 2 weeks...

God Bless u!

Night Splints

Posted by Kimberly (Florida) on 10/24/2016 1 posts
★★★★★

I have had Plantar Fasciitis for over three years. I run daily almost every morning, I also run marathons as well. When I acquired Plantar Fasciitis I still tried to run in the morning until it became unbearable. I wore New balances when running because it seemed the most comfortable and I felt less pain than wearing any other shoe. Once I started wearing night splints I saw lots of relief with the morning pain. it became easier to run in the mornings and with the stretches I performed before my runs my Plantar Fasciitis was gone in about three weeks.

Night Splints

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 10/25/2016

Night splints worked well for a family member of mine, who also happens to be a marathon runner.

I believe that running is a very healthy activity. At the same time, I think running makes your body require more nutrients for the activity and that sweating during running can deplete the body of electrolytes.

Some find that supplementing with magnesium and calcium helps with PF. I wonder if runners especially will need to make sure they are getting enough of these minerals.

Just my 2 cents.

~Mama to Many~

Lysine

Posted by Jeanne G. (Colorado) on 11/09/2023

Lysine is supposedly really important for creating collagen in body, so that would make sense. Glad it is working for you. I need to take some for my old plantar fascia injury that has healed fine, with exception of a small area under one toe. Thanks for sharing!

Foam Roller

Posted by Little Wing (Massachusetts) on 05/29/2015

My friend cured his heel spurs by soaking his heels in magnesium oil for 5-10 minutes every night before bed.

Turmeric

Posted by Aaron (Cape Coral, Florida) on 06/21/2007
★★★★★

I tried the TURMERIC remedy for boils about 4 days ago, initially with little hope it would work, but in a state of desperation, since this was my THIRD boil in less than 6 weeks, and I had 2 more starting! I went out as soon as I finished reading all of the testimonials on your site, and bought a bottle of Turmeric capsules from my local GNC. That night I took three 500mg caps with dinner, and another 4 capsules before going to bed. (If a teaspoon is good, a tablespoon is better!) The next morning the boil on my stomach, which was a dark purple golf ball radiating excruciating pain the night before, was now a light purple golf ball that was starting to drain, and the pain had gone down by 80 to 90%!

In addition, one of the new boils that was just starting, (a tiny painful pimple,) started to heal, and the other one, slightly larger, while it didn't go away, it stopped growing, and with 72 hours it too drained (really like a normal pimple, only thicker discharge and more painful.)

It's now been about 4 days, and while the large boil is still draining (the core came out yesterday) and is still very tender, it is healing and no other boils are starting.

BUT!

The big BONUS is this: The arthritis in my shoulder that I've been suffering with for the last year, is gone, and even more exciting, I have been dealing with Heal Spurs (Plantar Fasciitis) for about 2 years, and have been suffering TREMENDOUS pain in my foot, every day, all day.

Within 24 hours of taking the Turmeric, my feet have COMPLETELY stopped hurting!!!I plan to continue taking at least one capsule a day indefinitely as a preventative for recurring boils, and as an apparent remedy for my Heal Spurs!!! The real miracle here is that I don't even believe in natural remedies! Thanks so much for the great advice!!!

Massage Gun

Posted by Paracelsus (Orlando, FL) on 08/08/2022 47 posts

I would try niacin (niacinamide to avoid the flush). 500 mg 2x per day. Great for inflammation. Works great for arthritis and I would think it could work for your condition. Give it a try, nothing to lose.

Calc. Fluor 6X

Posted by Marie (Staten Island, NY) on 07/25/2022

Can you tell me a good dosage of calc flour 6x for plantar fasciitis…..how many pills? how many times per day? I am tired of being in pain everyday….thank you!

Calc. Fluor 6X

Posted by Art (California) on 07/26/2022 2325 posts

Marie,

She used the recommended dose on her bottle which was 4 pellets dissolved under the tongue 3 times per day and she said that worked for her, but the bottle says it can be taken even more often in acute conditions.

Art

DMSO

Posted by Katzie (Calgary) on 04/04/2021
★★★★★

DMSO for Plantar Fasciitis

I used DMSO on my friend's feet, with a thin layer of Castor Oil first, and then 3 drops of straight liquid DMSO, on each. He felt so much better after just 1 treatment! We are continuing this treatment. While doing a deep dive into how DMSO heals so efficiently, I found asStudy that said it heals by correcting the DNA back to what it's supposed to be doing, in whatever body part is sore. I order it from the DMSO store, online or it can be found at any good health food store in North America. Feel well, lovely Earthclinic community!

B-12

Posted by Deirdre (CT) on 07/21/2021

Hi Joanne,

Check out an electric shiatsu foot massager with compression (massage, heat, and compression in one machine is the best).

It's pricey, but it does a phenomenal job. I owned one for 3 years and it makes a huge difference when used regularly. My feet get very sore from 22 years of karate and this machine helps immensely.

When I moved across the country recently, I didn't have room for my first cloud massager in my pod, so I gave it away (seriously dumb thing to do). Before ordering another one last December, I tried 2 other less expensive foot shiatsu massagers.. sent one back and gave the other away. NO COMPARISON. This one is the best on the market in my opinion. Unfortunately, it's pricey at $350.

Here's the website... which I see is offering a $120 discount right now.

https://cloudmassage.com/collections/all/products/shiatsu-foot-massager-machine

Read the reviews on Amazon and you'll see how much it has helped people with PF.

https://www.amazon.com/Shiatsu-Foot-Massager-Machine-Circulation/dp/B074P2M8N8

If that link doesn't work for you in Australia, search Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine -Increases Blood Flow Circulation, Deep Kneading, with Heat Therapy -Deep Tissue, Plantar Fasciitis, Diabetics, Neuropathy.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda, Blackstrap Molasses

Posted by Patricia (Cali, Colombia) on 11/30/2017
★★★★★

APPLE CIDER WORKS! I have been suffering from Plantar Fascitis and heel spurs since march of this year (2017), I have visited many doctors, purchased all kinds of orthotic devices, braces, anti-inflamatory medication, to no avail... UNTIL I tried the Apple cider vinegar. I have been drinking for the last three days a tbsp of apple cider, a tspn of baking soda, a tbspn of molasses in a small cup of water, three times a day.

I have also wrapped my foot with a small towel soaked in apple cider and I covered it with a plastic bag before going to bed. Last night was the third night that I applied the apple cider to my foot and I am ecstatic! THE PAIN IS GONE!!!! I CANNOT BELIEVE IT! I am soooo grateful for the remedy I found in your website. APPLE CIDER DOES WORK! Thank you very much! Hurray!!!

Solomon's Seal

Posted by Deanna (East Sussex, Uk) on 05/12/2015

Solomons Seal root for plantar fasciitis:

I just wanted to add that the plant Solomons Seal (Polygonatum odoratum/biflorum/multiflorum) is an excellent herb for all kinds of strains, tears, looseness of the ligaments, tendons and muscles. As a herbalist, I have noticed some rapid results for this condition and many other similar complaints.