Hoof & Mouth

The beautiful pipe I spoke of a couple of days ago has still been on my mind.  To me, it is exquisitely beautiful, in a rather artistic way.  I also think that it would be an absolutely wonderful smoking pipe as well.  It would be too damn foolish of me to actually buy the beautiful beast, as it is ~ $175 in price. So, I end up just sitting around, dreaming about it.  

I have not bought a new pipe in a helluva long time.  Well, actually, I am closing in on what I think now is damn near eight full years (or is it nine?), I will have to figure it out that I sadly laid down my pipes.  It sadly seems like an eternity.  And, I know it was many years even before that sad day.... when I had purchased and brand-damn-new pipe.... I already have so many.  

But, the one above..... I don't know..... it is a head turner for certain.

* * * * *

My heel-focused form of plantar fasciitis has been more stubborn and aggravating to get rid of than it was when I had a brief bout of it in my other foot where it was primarily located in my foot's arch. 

What I figured out from experience, and confirmed while reading.... was that I could alleviate the pain and discomfort by programmed stretching.  But, no amount of stretching I have been doing every day seemed to permanently eliminate the discomfort.  I would go to bed hopeful, because I was pain free... but in the morning, the first steps would be AGONY.  It was getting me worried.... for I would have walk through the pain for 15-20 minutes to get it to reduce.  It felt so illogical and painful.  

My earlier plantar fasciitis (in my other foot) went away quickly with adequate stretching. BUT.... apparently especially in the heel region, what can happen is that the tendonous area that is inflamed will naturally SHORTEN naturally while you sleep because when we sleep, we naturally point out toes (a movement called plantarflexsion).  Plantarflexion then results in the tissues healing in a more shortened length and upon awakening the region is stiff and can be painful.  This is not an issue when your plantar fasciitis is in the arch region.  

Yesterday, in the mail, I received what is called a pair of "night splints" that can be used to force the foot to maintain a position opposite that of plantarflexion  (called dorsiflexion).   I wore these devices when I went to sleep last night, and while not comfortable, it was not bad.  I COULD feel my foot with the plantar fasciitis, however, struggle a bit, and it felt sore having its heel stretched.  I slept in them until ~3:30, when I had to get up to go to the bathroom.  I took them off to walk to the bathroom, and the pain was dramatically reduced.  But I was so groggy that when I got to bed, I just went back to sleep without putting on all the various straps to the devices.  In the morning when I got up for the regular day, I could feel that my heel region had tightened some, so I think for this to work, I have to be more persistent.

But.... I am thankful that it appears I am on the right track now! From what I have read, perhaps in 2-3 weeks of this, I should be back to normal.

PipeTobacco