I'm a massage therapist specializing in sports massage - primarily sports injury rehab. I see a lot of athletes with p.f.
They're actually finding now that steroid treatments are ineffective for p.f. so no need to mess with that anymore. Are you using OTC arch supports or prescribed, custom orthotics? Arch supports are good. Orthotics, while expensive, are best. Another shoe suggestion, remember the Earth shoes? There's anecdotal evidence that they provide some relief from heel pain. Maybe worth a try. Additionally, massage, icing, and stretching will help treat your condition. And wear your night splints to help stretch the fascia. You'll need to self-treat for several months so it takes discipline, but you should manage relief if you stick with it.
The ISqueeze looks great. I hadn't seen that before. You'll probably want to use it some every day. Additionally, for pain flare-ups, get a couple of bags of frozen peas that you keep for foot care. Sit with your feet on the peas, roll them around some, for 10 minutes or so at a time. Re-freeze for the next use. It doesn't matter that you're thawing and re-freezing the peas since you'll never eat them. You'll want to put the bag of peas in a zip-lock bag though - repeated freezing/thawing causes the ink on the bag to start flaking off.
Treat acute pain ASAP with ice or the ISqueeze. Don't wait until it's unbearable.
You can roll a golf ball around under your foot to work pressure points.
Stretching, stretching, stretching! (this is the discipline part! Do these religiously
everyday and you'll see results). Plantar fasciitis is often directly related to tight calf muscles. Rather than attempt to explain how to do these stretches in writing (wish I could get my hands on you!) look at
this site. I'm happy to clarify anything.
Find yourself a GOOD
sports massage therapist to work exclusively on your feet and legs. Weekly sessions (for a while) would be ideal, bi-weekly would be good, monthly at an absolute minimum. You may have to try a few to find one that's really great but they're definitely out there. (Utilize all of your skills to determine who's really good!
)
Finally, from my woo-woo side and for your own self-reflection, is there anything in your life you're having trouble standing up to? Any underlying *support* issues? Any movement issues? All of these can manifest as problems with our feet. I know you know how to look at the energy aspect of things.