My Tipping Point

After several calls to the supplier and the courier regarding my long awaited consignment, it finally arrived on the evening of March 31, 2010. They were two lovely white bottles of 1 quart (approx. 944 ml) each.

Eagerly I poured out the first 2ml and took a little sip. Hmm...not bad at all. Then I passed the glass on to my hubby and then to my son to take a sip as well. I finished up the rest. About two hours later while watching TV, I felt a tingling sensation in my body much like something is "clearing up" and it felt..... relieving.

Next morning, for the first time in months, I felt no pain when taking my first step after waking up in the morning! There was a little left over sensation though, but there was no real pain of note! I know it is still early days but I am sure to keep on observing.

You see, some months ago after becoming a full time housewife, my left heel had started aching. It is specially bad after raising up in the morning in taking that first step. Hence walking and navigating the staircase became quite challenging. The doctor said it is Plantar Fasciitis, an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes. In this condition, the fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. I was given an ointment for rubbing and an oral medication,ibuprofen, also an anti-inflammatory. That suffice to keep matters under check then during my short trip to Singapore on the occasion of my nephew's wedding.

There are several symptoms of Plantar Fasciitis:

* Pain on the bottom of the heel

* Pain that is usually worse upon arising

* Pain that increases over a period of months

People with Plantar Fasciitis often describe the pain as worse when they get up in the morning or after they’ve been sitting for long periods of time. After a few minutes of walking the pain decreases, because walking stretches the fascia. For some people the pain subsides but returns after spending long periods of time on their feet.

Recommendations to patients include:

* Stretching exercises. Exercises that stretch out the calf muscles help ease pain and assist with recovery.

* Avoid going barefoot. When you walk without shoes, you put undue strain and stress on your plantar fascia.

* Ice. Putting an ice pack on your heel for 20 minutes several times a day helps reduce inflammation. Place a thin towel between the ice and your heel; do not apply ice directly to the skin.

* Limit activities. Cut down on extended physical activities to give your heel a rest.

* Shoe modifications. Wearing supportive shoes that have good arch support and a slightly raised heel reduces stress on the plantar fascia.

My right foot has also been telling me whenever my uric acid is elevated. Uric acid is a waste product normally present in the blood as a result of the breakdown of purines. Excessive amounts of uric acid can cause crystals to form in the joints and cause gout. Sometime I do get careless with my diet. I had bought some jackfruit three days earlier. Suddenly my right foot was also in pain for the two days I had been consuming the jackfruit. Upon realising it, I passed on the balance of the fruit to my son to finish off, which he did gladly. Ow...imagine both feet acting up on you!!

Imagine also a day without any pain ...