foot pain

[June Scheunemann & Mike Bernsdorf <equineent@lakefield.net>]

     I've been reading all the posts on foot pain.....gee I'm
glad to know that others experience aches and PAINS too....I was
just beginning to think that my age was the reason.  ( and no, I
never thought of myself as old till the foot pain almost made me
stop riding......stop doing just about everything!!!!)  I too,
had the awful foot pain.  Went to one "foot dr." and he thought
the cure was a shot of cortisone in the foot...yes a shot in the
foot.....talk about pain.  He also had me order
orthodics...after about 2-3 months of going to this guy I just
threw my hands in the air and felt that I was doomed to walk
like a feeble, old dottering bag lady.  The orthodics didn't
help and the pain never stopped.  I then went to another "foot
dr" with alot of skeptisicm....she was wonderful!!!  I knew that
my plantar fascia was inflamed causing my heels to hurt (felt
like someone was taking a sledge hammer to my heel 24 hours a
day!!!) and also my arch was just screaming ....this podiatrist
made the cutest little pads that I slipped on my feet during
waking hours.  She also had me on some anti-inflammatory that
was taken by mouth ( a tiny little pill) 3 times a day for 10
days.  If the pain returned after a week we did the pills again
with the cute little pads plus I iced my feet at the end of the
day.  Once the inflammation was under control I found that my
orthodics actually did work and helped alot.  Now, I wear my
orthodics just about all the time.  There are certain shoes
(those with really really good arch supports ) that I do not
have to use them in but, when I ride I slip those in my shoes
and the difference is amazing.  If I am on my feet all day or
compete I usually ice my feet at night but, at least I'm riding
and walking and just plain on feet again!!! I would suggest
going to a professional and if one doesn't help find one who
will!!!!  Foot pain is devastating and can really make life
miserable.....don't spare expenses on shoes for yourself
either.  It really makes a difference.

June