A Gift From Bob (Blog)

[Erin Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Erin Pavlina's blog:

A Gift From Bob

[Angela]

What a fun story to start my day with. Thanks Erin! I love those little bob clocks, too.

I just wanted to say that it's funny that you think of an item (that you could afford, I think, right?) that makes you feel better on purpose as a "luxury item." Plantar fascitis and heel spurs and nauseatingly painful and can really mess up your day and your ability to be effective in a life you love, so I would consider a machine that makes you feel significantly better to be a medical item. You wouldn't call an ice pack on a sprained ankle a luxury item, would you? And if your husband or children were hurting and you found an item that made them feel better, you would snap it up in an instant, even if you had to sacrifice, wouldn't you?

Just a little request from me to consider your own well-being among your highest priorities, because it's important to me that you live a long and pleasurable life. Sorry, I'm so selfish!

[Lola]

Great story, Erin! Gotta love Bob.

And, I'm weighing in with Angela here on describing taking care of yourself as a "luxury item". oops - you're gettting (lovingly) scolded in stereo!!

Just so happens, my dear, that treating things like plantar fasciitis is, ummm, what i do.

I'm curious what you're doing for treatment and have some suggestions for recovery if you're interested.

[Erin Pavlina]

Yeah, I could afford it without the casino's money but I still didn't feel like I should buy something that expensive just for my aching feet. I'll work on that though, you guys are right.

For treatment I've done steroid injections (relief for 3 days but then it came back), oral steroids (never again!), taped it, iced it, physical therapy for 6 months (saw some improvement but not enough to justify the exhorbitant cost), orthotics three times, heel cups, night splints, magnets in my shoes, massage, stretching, and even prayer.

My latest podiatrist said I have fat pad atrophy in my heel. The plantar fasciitis only hurts in the morning, but the heel pain is what's killing me all day and gets worse by nightfall.

I have two arch supports in my shoes now. Anything that lifts me off my heel brings relief.

One pod told me if I could manage to stay off my feet for 12 weeks it would give them time to heal but I ain't got that kind of time with 2 small kids.

Lola, tell me what you do! I'm ready to get bionic feet at this point!

[Lola]

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.

[joesugar]

That was a great story. It reminds me of the first time I tried to teach my son about gambling. I had taken him to one of those local fundraising block parties where they had a Big 6 wheel going.

"Dad, what's that?"

"Well Andrew, it's a Big6 and it works like this...."

"Can we try?"

"Ok, but the first think you need to learn about gambling is that the house always wins in the long run. Here's a dollar. What number to you want?"

"Six."

Dealer spins. Two sixes. He's two dollars up.

"Alright Andrew, let's try again. What number to you want?"

"Six."

Dealer spins. Three sixes. He's five dollars up.

"Ok Andrew, you're about to learn the second most important rule of gambling. Quit while you're ahead...."

[Lola]

p.s. - I just remembered you said this - about the "off your feet for 12 weeks thing" - wtf?!! Not only is that unrealistic for anyone, all the rest of your muscles would atrophy. (Actually atrophy begins within 48 hours of disuse...)

My experience in treating athletes with p.f. is

• They always return to their sport - usually fairly quickly.
• They are HIGHLY motivated to comply with treatment.
• They never quit for 12 weeks. That's ridiculous advice.

sorry - just had to rant a little.

[Erin Pavlina]

Hi Lola, I'm going to PM you so we don't totally derail the thread.

[Dan.Linehan]

That's great Erin, congrats on the winnings!

[Lola]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

Hi Lola, I'm going to PM you so we don't totally derail the thread.

good idea! I do get on a roll...

Back on topic - (gambling, right? ) Great story Joe!

[rubelin]

joining in a bit on the thread derailment (but I did love the story!). I've had PF for about a decade and was ready to talk about surgery (I have 1/2" long heel spurs) when I got a pair of Crocs shoes. Within one month of wearing nothing but my butt-ugly Crocs, the pain was gone entirely. It's been almost 2 years since I switched to Crocs (and now have some slightly cuter versions) and I actually forget about my bad feet. Even spending the day walking around Disneyland causes me hardly any discomfort. The only other thing that helped was pregnancy but I haven't figured out how to bottle those effects

enjoy your gifties from Bob!

[Erin Pavlina]

Funny because I got the PF during pregnancy. My arches were going insane with all that relaxin in my system.

I will try the crocs. At this point I would try anything. Are all crocs the same or are there different varieties? On a synchronistic note, my sister told me last night that she just bought some crocs, and an hour ago in Costco I saw a big display with Crocs and felt an urge to go try them on (but was in a hurry). And now with your recommendation I think it's time to go find me some Crocs

[Tina Rowley]

Erin,

Hey! Remember that dream I posted about where there was something you wanted to buy yourself but you were afraid you couldn't afford it?! And I went back to your house to tell you you could afford it!

When I woke up I remembered it as being some kind of recreational item, something that wasn't a necessity - but a luxury item fits that bill!

Hot dog, I feel like I kind of landed one.

Does Bob look like a big dark-haired Viking?

May your feet enjoy your new treat.

OH WAIT! Also you served us some food in the dream, on a plate that had a spare sock on it. A foot-related item!

Oh, MAN.

I remember there was a sketch on SNL a long time ago with Christopher Walken called "The Trivial Psychic". Every once in a blue moon, I have a total trivial psychic dream. Ding ding!

How funny for me to be so excited about something that would be so old hat for you. It's got to be like someone running up to you saying, "I figured out how to work the toaster! You put the bread in and pull the lever down and I did that and it totally came out toast!"

I'm happy for your great Bob gift. What a good story!

Tina R.
The Gallivanting Monkey

[Erin Pavlina]

Very interesting Tina! I often have dreams about clients I've read for. At least ones that I develop a special connection with.

Bob is not the dark talk viking. Still on the lookout for him

[carenkh]

Originally Posted by Tina Rowley

How funny for me to be so excited about something that would be so old hat for you. It's got to be like someone running up to you saying, "I figured out how to work the toaster! You put the bread in and pull the lever down and I did that and it totally came out toast!"

Yes, but if you've never made toast before, it's kinda miraculous! Sometimes, even if you have made toast before. (Ever see that Calvin & Hobbes?)

[confused]

Z-CoiL® Pain Relief Footwear™

I had it bad too, but these shoes plus arch supports, and I tramped all over Wales and Florence without any trouble.

[Erin Pavlina]

Confused: Thanks! I will definitely look into these shoes. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

[rubelin]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

Are all crocs the same or are there different varieties?

they have many different styles but they're all made with the same material. I wear the MaryJanes the most and also have their basic clog (the Cayman) and the thongs (the Athens) They have girlier styles but they are too narrow for me.