The Wailin' Bitch Trials - The Strassburg Sock

Today, I begin a series of posts on the various treatment options I have tried to cure my plantar fasciitis.  This injury has been so annoyingly persistent, that I have "lovingly" called it "The Bitch."  (starting back with my first post entlted "The Plantar Fascia: That Fickle Bitch," and continued a couples weeks ago with "The Bitch is Back").  So, in keeping with that theme, I bring you the "Wailin' Bitch Trials" (get it?  It almost sounds like "Salem Witch Trials"... and PF is painful, so you wail in pain... shut up, I thought it was clever).

For any treatment where I tried a specific product, I will write up a review of the product.  The first product I ever tried to treat PF was the "Strassburg Sock," which is this weird looking contraption:

It feels just as weird, too

I mentioned Strassburg back in "That Fickle Bitch."  The purpose of the Sock is to keep your foot flexed while you sleep at night because both the plantar fascia and the calf (which pulls on the plantar fascia indirectly when it is tight) tighten up when you sleep.  I think it is also supposed to increase blood flow to the plantar fascia while you sleep to help heal it.

Product Review: Orbana Energy Mix

I'm not really much of a "sports drink" guy.  I generally prefer water for my hydration, and for the most part I prefer either gels, sports beans, or chews for my in-run nutrition.  But, awhile ago, I saw this review (from the Running and Rambling blog) for Orbana "Healthy Energy", so I decided to try it.  And, since I've tried it, I figured I might as well write up a review of my experience.

Product Review: Races2Remember Pace Bands

From time to time, I'm going to offer up a review of a product that I use while running.  Obviously, my opinion doesn't really matter that much.... but I figure someone out there might want to hear a real person's actual experiences with some products, particularly when there are usually several, and often dozens of options for you to chose from for every conceivable product category.  These reviews will necessarily be few and far between, since I don't have tons of money to buy and test everything that comes out (at least until companies start realizing that I am witty, insightful, funny, and just an all-around great guy and start giving me test models of their products... Garmin, I'm looking in your direction... Vibram too... Newton shoes, don't think I don't see you over there)

Anyway, the first product that I wanted to review was a product that I didn't even know existed until last summer... the pace band.  (Continued After the Jump)