I have had this device for a week. It has helped me with turning my plantar fasciitis around. Many people would say all you need is a stair step to do the same thing. But, that is just not true. This device takes all the pressure off the ball of your foot so you can stretch the plantar fascia as well as get a deep stretch of the calf. I also used a Muscle Scraper Tool and a massage gun. The scraper tool did wonders that nothing else would have done on the plantar fascia in freeing up and smoothing out adhesions and irregularities in the fascia. I was amazed at the bumps that were there in that tissue. The massage gun with the ball helped to do fascial release in the quads. I did have a visible spot laterally that was confusing to me as I do get down on a mat and stretch daily. I was cramping at night but not any more. With these 3 things you can do effective self care and avoid weeks of trips to PT. Read more
Several years ago I thought I had sustained an Achilles heel injury and went to my internist. He had x-rays and scans done of my feet and to my dismay, he said I had bone spurs on my heels, a condition caused by Plantar Fasciitis. That wasn't the worse part of it. He said that of the treatments, and surgeries available, there was no guarantees any would work, and all could make the condition even worse. The best he could do besides those treatments was to tell me to take pain killers and he showed me how to lean forward against a wall, and stretch my calves out in a similar way I used to use when I ran. This long leaning stretch did afford some relief to the pain but I found I had to do it every few hours every day to keep the pain manageable. So as I do with everything else, I started an exhaustive internet search for information on Plantar Fasciitis and heel spurs. I found a great site started by a doctor who also had the condition and she had conducted her own search for information and compiled it all in on her site, including information on medications, procedures, devices and exercises. I read everything there and started implementing her advice on the non-invasive recommendations. One of the devices that came highly recommended was the ProStretch by Medi_Dyne. It basically recreated the long wall stretch I was already doing but because of the curved bottom, I didn't have to lean so far out and off balance. After searching locally and not finding one, I went back online and found that Allegro Medical sold the ProStretch as a vendor through Amazon.com at a very good price. Not being one to want to stay in pain any longer than I have to I ordered one and in a few days started doing the exercises that my doctor showed me, as well as some on the website I found and some that came with the ProStretch. Within a few days the relief was incredible. The ProStretch does really help you keep your calf muscle stretched, which leads into a brief explanation of why this is important. The Plantar Fascia is a band of tissues that hold the foot together. They hook from the heel, form the lower part of your arch and tie into the ball of your foot. But they are not very strong. At night, when we sleep, most people point their toes down. At the same time, the calf muscle, one of the largest and strongest in the body, pulls up on the foot, causing a terrible pull and stretch on the Plantar Fascia. This constant pulling from two directions on the boney heel causes calcium deposits to start forming all around the heel, the Achilles tendon and the Plantar Fascia. When x-rayed, they look like small sharp pieces of bone, thus the term bone spurs. So it's a tug-a-war between the smaller weaker foot tissue and the larger stronger calf muscle. Guess who wins? The goal then is to keep the calf muscle from pulling up on the foot. That's made easier through the ProStretch. But I found that the ProStretch can't help you as you sleep. So the next part of my therapy involved getting night splints (night boots) to keep the calf muscle stretched out all night long. I went and purchased two night splints similar to these BIRD & CRONIN PLANTAR FASCITIS SPLINT MEDIUM and began to wear them at night. Yes, it is a major adjustment to get used to wearing rigid boots on your feet while trying to sleep. But after a few nights of waking up half way through the night to take them off, I soon found that I was sleeping all the way through the night. Humans can adjust if they are motivated enough and pain is a good motivator. I must say that this was pretty much the answer to solving my heel spur pain. The night splints, as hard as it was to get used to, worked. They kept my calves flexed all night and when I awoke each morning and took them off, there was no pain like before as I made my way to the bathroom. So I thought I had found the answer, even though the thought of wearing these things the rest of my life didn't appeal at all to me, I knew I would do what I had to do to stay pain free. Then one day on the job, a friend of mine who also suffers from the same thing came up to me and said he had found the answer. He no longer had to wear the night splints and that it was so easy and cheap I wouldn't believe him. I demanded to know and he took a shoe off and showed me a Dr.Schools Heel Adjustable Arch Support Orthotics for Men, 1 Pair . He said that he picked these up, put in the strong arch insert, and he's been pain free ever since, without having to wear the night splints. His Plantar Fasciitis had cleared up. On the way home, I picked up a pair and I've not had to wear the night splints since. I also have not "had" to use the ProStretch either. Now I still do use the ProStretch because I like to keep my calves stretched out. If you are in pain, I would encourage you to try any and all of the suggestions I've mentioned. The cost is minimal, but the relief is wonderful! The Dr. Scholls Adjustable Arch Supports may not completely take away your pain, but it's a small cost to try. Read more
Simple and effective. This stretching tool delivers a deep calf stretch that’s ideal before and after workouts. I use it daily to warm up my muscles and cool down afterward, especially for managing plantar fasciitis. It loosens tight muscles that contribute to foot/arch pain, and you can truly feel the relief after each use. The design is straightforward, has been a reliable part of my recovery and fitness routine for years. Read more
My physical therapist recommended this and omg I will never be without it!! Worth every penny!! Takes away pain in calves and feet and feels soooo good!! I use it two ways. One is to stand on it and lower the heel. This stretches the calf. The other is, from that place a bend the knee slightly and this stretches around the ankle. Read more
I always read the reviews to help me decide on my purchasing. This one does not disappoint. I am amazed at how quickly I feel results with this. I have tendonitis in both achilles tendons. I also have bone spurs at the back insertion points, as well as under my heel. So, needless to say, I am a disappointment to my podiatrist because I don't do my stretching exercises enough. I've used wall stretching, boards, balance ball, sleeping boots. I feel can't get enough stretching from those while simultaneously experiencing pain on the front of my ankle. With this device, though, within 5 minutes of placing my foot and standing while holding onto my cane, my calves and feet felt warned up and flexible. I just got it today! I've used it twice for 5 minutes both times. Each time my legs and ankles feel so much better. I walk easier and no limping. This is definitely a game changer! Made from high quality durable plastic, it has rubber on the bottom for non-slip work. I use on my carpet. My cats like to knock it around, when I'm not using it. Don't hesitate to buy if you have stiffness in lower legs and feet. Read more
