Solution: Do what you CAN. I got custom orthotics, iced my feet every night and did special stretches before getting out of bed in the morning. For six months, I wore my sneakers and orthotics at work instead of heels. I switched to the non-impact recumbent bike for cardio and continued to use machines for weight lifting.
The fasciitis got better. But the burning, bruised sensation in my feet didn't go away. Two podiatrists and a physiatrist later, we discover the problem in my feet was being aggravated by whatever was causing the low-grade lower back pain I'd ignored for years.
One of the bones in my sacrum likes to rotate itself backwards. Now, lower-body weight machines are off limits because they can reinjure my back.
Solution: Do what you CAN. A whole lotta' physical therapy -- including massage -- and prescribed yoga exercises to help strengthen my back and core improved things. I'm still not allowed to use lower-body weight machines to this day.
I can do ballet plies and squats, carefully, using good form. My ballet training in college has really come in handy.
Since I couldn't do lower-body weight work, I thought I'd focus on my upper body. With help from a trainer friend, I started to use heavier weights and fewer reps/sets to build strength.
I learned pyramid and superset techniques on the Exercise and Fitness support board. I made some good progress in terms of muscle development. But, as usual, I wanted too much too soon. I upped the weight too quickly. I began to feel pain in my wrists and forearms. My hands would freeze up with pain while typing at the computer or using the mouse.
