Shopping For Pain Relief

Sometimes I can't believe the things I do. Today I woke up with terrible pain in the arches of both feet. Ten years ago I had a terrible case of planters fasciitis, which is inflammation of the connective tissue in my feet. This arch pain is a reminder of pain which I plan not to re-experience.

This afternoon I went to Dick's Sporting Goods to look for socks that might eliminate these nagging foot pains. No one informed me there could be so many styles of socks claiming to do so many things to the two appendages at the end of my body. I could have spent hours going from rack to rack looking for something - anything - that might work. And colors. There were the standard white, black, and gray. There was also every neon color you could imagine. The socks came in lengths from knee high all the way down to "no show."

I spent what seemed like an eternity before being greeted by a face barely old enough to shave, asking if he could help. He recommended a pair of socks that were "anatomically correct." Anatomically correct congers up all sorts of thoughts. I'm old enough to remember when the first anatomically correct male baby doll was introduced. I was relieved to find no replicas of genitalia, but for anatomically correct socks, I also found no individual spaces for toes. This cute sales associate explained that, in this instance, anatomically correct meant one sock was marked "R" for the right foot and the other "L" for the left foot. Before I could ask why the designation, he explained it was for the arch support to be in the right location. I said "okay" to the socks, selecting a single pair for a test run.

I made my way to the front of the store to pay for the socks which could be a miracle for my aching arches. It's a good thing I decided on only one pair, because for $15 per pair they should support my arches plus give me a full pedicure while I walk! I paid the $15, but couldn't help wonder if my sanity was being tested.

As far as the distance was concerned, tonight's quarter mile was like a walk in the park. My feet still were not happy, and the same is true of my ankle. I probably should mention that the ligaments in my left ankle have been torn so many times that I have lost count of the casts and braces I've had to wear. After writing this post I'll again ice-down the parts that need pampering, and revive an ankle brace I have tucked-away someplace.

So, it’s one foot in front of the other to the finish line!