Suffering from chronic pain can feel very lonely at times. It can be extremely difficult for friends and family to understand, validate your feelings, and offer useful advice, despite their best efforts. This loneliness can be compounded by the pain itself. Some types of physical activity might be off limit at times, or you may need to simply rest your feet while other activities are happening.

How can you meet your needs for support, advice, and validation? Online support groups are a great way to connect and bond with others who are in the same situation you are.

Benefits of Joining a Plantar Fasciitis Support Group

While plantar fasciitis is a relatively common condition, you might not know someone in your circle of friends or family who has been in your shoes, so to speak, in dealing with heel and foot pain. Finding support through an online community can be a huge help in the following ways:

Support: There’s a special kind of bond and support that is formed when we meet someone who has traveled a similar road or experienced a similar situation. And when it comes to chronic pain, that dynamic is no different. While friends and family may be very supportive and loving, you’ll gain a different type of support from others who suffer from chronic pain first-hand and speak your same language in a sense.

While friends and family can cheer you on from the stands, it can make a big difference to have the support of others who are in the arena with you, fighting the same battles you are.

Advice: In the same vein, those who don’t suffer from chronic pain may have a wealth of advice to offer, but suggestions and counsel from others who have tried the remedies or the therapy first-hand is invaluable. In a thriving online community, you’ll essentially be consulting a panel of experts for your questions and concerns. They might not be medical experts, but they’ve been walking the same path you have, and their input and advice can be incredibly helpful!

New Ideas: There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re at the end of your rope or have tried everything when it comes to managing chronic pain. One of the greatest benefits of an online community is the constant influx of new ideas to try to better manage your pain and heal.

Can Online Support Groups Help with Chronic Pain and Depression?

The sense of community and support of an online support group can make a significant difference in your holistic health. Chronic pain and depression go hand in hand, and the physical symptoms you experience naturally take a toll on your mental well-being. However the good news is that the reverse is true as well. By taking steps to improve your mental health, your experience with chronic pain can change and improve as well. By becoming part of a community of others who are fighting similar battles and seeking help, you’ll find yourself not only gaining help and support yourself, but offering it to others, which can be an empowering and gratifying experience. You’ll also open a new door of possibilities and friendships.

Where Can I Find a Plantar Fasciitis Support Group?

Heel That Pain moderates an online Plantar Fasciitis Support group. Join us on Facebook, and find new ideas, new friendships, and support from others who understand what it’s like to deal with chronic pain.

Finding support online and offline can be a critical part of your healing process. Feeling understood, looking at your condition in new ways, and helping others along the way are some of the biggest benefits. Take the step to become part of the Plantar Fasciitis group today.