| Sorry to cherry pick a small portion of your post, but I had plantar fascitis pretty bad about 9 years ago.  I went to a podiatrist and got some fitted orthotics and they quite literally changed my life.  That was the best $300 I've ever spent.  Even if you aren't going to become a runner, you might want to check this out. 
				__________________Cogito ergo spud --  I think, therefore I yam
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