Plantar Fasciitis

I've been dealing with a flare of Plantar Fasciitis for about 3 months now and want to post about my dealings with it from a TMS perspective.

I am certain this is TMS-derived as I have had it before (3 years ago in my right (opposite) foot) and I resolved it then with TMS methods, but both times it has been a tough symptom to let go for some reason. Last time it lasted about 5mo and this time it appears to be just as tenacious. Both times I have cut back on my running (my primary exercise) because the pain was too intense to continue to endure. Bear in mind I believe I have a pretty high pain tolerance (I finished the last 5m of a trail race with a broken ankle), but in this case it wasn't worth it to endure this level of pain when I have plenty of other options in order to get my exercise done (I like to cycle too). Basically, the PF made the running so unenjoyable that I stopped grinding it out and did other stuff instead.

Anyway I'd like to use this thread to spell out some failures and successes in this process as both therapy and a log for me to look back on. Maybe someone can find this useful too.

I prefer to frame my TMS symptoms like this:

What is it? - Plantar Fasciitis is supposedly inflammation of the tendons in the bottom of the foot due to overuse or obesity etc, and presents itself as a sharp pain in the heel, usually most pronounced first thing in the morning. The medical logic is that these tendons stiffen up overnight and therefore more painful until they've warmed up. Feels like walking on a sharp pebble on the heel.

What my tms mind tells me it is - Here, I like to try to define what my brain is telling me, what story it's telling me about this issue. In this case my mind makes me to think I've overdone it with running (I ran a big marathon at the end of September) and need to cut it out. Which, admittedly, I have done. My brain visualizes tight tendons at the bottom of my foot, even tearing/shredding when I've run on it and it was exquisitely painful.

What I think it is - Here, I will try to view this through a TMS lens as to 'what it is.' I believe I have some issues with Running (I have a thread here on that too) and this is another "try" from TMS brain to derail an activity that my subconscious hates for whatever reasons. I also think I have some anger/rage over some things going on in my life, that while I have recognized through some journaling/reflection, does not seem to be dissipating this particular symptom. I also believe I tend to "rush" my TMS recovery, expecting more than is reasonable sometimes, and therefore this time I have been trying to adapt a more laissez faire attitude about this (for example, not worrying about getting back to running).

Here are a few wins and losses I've observed during this process:

- In general I am often able to "tough it out" with this particular symptom, usually I "warm up" the area and the last 2/3rds of a run is not as painful as the first 1/3rd.

- The visual of tendons tearing/shredding is pretty strong in my mind, so I have been combatting that with visuals of blood flow to the area - actually seeing a pitcher of blood in my hand tipped over and pouring into my foot!

- Similarly, the SHARP pain at the beginning of a run, and then even worse, the extreme soreness I feel for 24-48 hours just limping around is hard to combat as a physical cause and effect. NSAIDs have been a crutch here as they seem to work.

- Since complaining about it with my wife for a month, I have stopped all of that, and now when she asks about it I usually say something like "it will get better" or "it's fine." No whining!

- Had a nice cessation of symptoms a week ago after a particularly successful Sunday exploring some emotional/mental things "going on" with me. Have since returned to running on a couple of days.

- This past Friday night my wife and I were attending a formal event and I wore those super hard soled dress shoes that are the bane of PH. But while waiting in the car to go in I had an epiphany to the point of mentally thinking "to hell with this nonsense - BRING IT plantar" and started pressing the heel of my foot down as hard as I could and daring it to hurt. It was a "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" moment. And guess what, the rest of the night I was able to get around alot better than I thought I would, even with those uncomfortable shoes.

To that last point, I can remember previous TMS issues where I got pissed-off at what was happening and this is can be a powerful treatment. Talk to your brain like a child and show it some punishment and get mad.

Anyway, that's enough for now. I'll close by saying I have solved a laundry list of pain symptoms since discovering TMS therapy and I have no doubt I will defeat this one too. I'm just not quite there yet.

 

Funny enough, in our conversations about running I'm dealing with a bit of this in the bad hamstring leg along with the sciatica. That leg is hitting all the symptom imperatives!

 

@Mr Hip Guy, What I noticed the most about your long post is how much (95%?) discusses physical aspects of your symptoms and how you think of them, etc.. And probably less than 5% mentions your emotional work. But in this, you did mention some success with journaling, which is great! What I’d like to see—for your sake—is a post this long all about the stuff bugging you in your life. That’s what it’s going to take to get rid of this. Keep digging!

 

Oh no, not rid of the habit, I’m afraid. Every day is a battle to stay off the physical and on to the psychological.