Lauren Mack

I had never heard of plantar fasciitis prior to August 2013. For months, I had ignored the tightness in my calves and subsequent pain in my Achilles that accompanied each workout. I disregarded the aches and pain in my left foot until I could no longer ignore it.

After six weeks of backpacking through Asia, I developed heel pain on the last day of my trip. I tried every home remedy I could think of to get rid of the pain: rest, ice, compression, elevation, I bought new sneakers, and stopped exercising. I went to foot massage in Chinatown. I tried acupuncture. I even went on an online shopping spree buying special socks, foot rollers, fancy ice packs, and massagers. What I should have done was head straight to Dr. Rock Positano.

Instead, I went to two sports medicine doctors, two orthopedists, and one podiatrist who all acknowledged my pain but who had very different opinions on how to treat it. From the orthopedist who told me my pain was minor and “it was all in my head” and encouraged me to stretch more and keep running to the sports medicine doctor who put me in a walking cast for six weeks – nothing was working to alleviate the pain or help me heal.

After 18 months, I was desperate for answers and relief. I could not run or complete a workout. I hobbled when I walked to work. Every step I took was a painful reminder of my mounting frustration with plantar fasciitis.

One day, a friend of mine recommended I see Dr. Rock Positano. It was the best advice I have ever received. During my first visit with Dr. Rock Positano, I knew I was where I was meant to be all along. He listened to me intently, and he was empathetic about my pain and frustration. He didn’t rush in and out of the room like so many doctors do. His exam was thorough – x-rays, an ultrasound, and an extensive physical exam. He took the time to listen to me, examine me, explain my diagnosis, and answer all my questions. He gave me the hope and courage I was looking for, and he was also honest. He told me it would take a considerable amount of time to heal my heel pain.

I have been seeing Dr. Rock Positano every week for nearly 18 months now, and I feel amazing. He and his staff are patient, compassionate, and awesome! Dr. Rock Positano has seen me on my worst days and on my best days. My heel pain is treated by a daily regiment of stretching, icing, wearing a MalleoTrain sock, and wearing New Balance 990 shoes outfitted with orthotics that allow me to wear regular shoes (I don’t even feel the orthotics – they are so slim, lightweight, and comfy). Orthotics may be pricey, but Dr. Rock Positano’s are worth every dollar (I know because one of the sports medicine doctors made mine, and they were clunky, uncomfortable, and required buying special expensive and unattractive orthopedic shoes).

While it can sometimes be a challenge getting to my visits each week, I actually look forward to seeing Dr. Rock Positano and his team. They make me smile and laugh; it’s like visiting close friends and chatting over coffee except we catch up over extracorporeal shockwave therapy and therapeutic ultrasound treatments instead!

Though it has taken a great deal of time and effort to get where I am today, it has been worth it. I’m virtually pain free! I still have more work to do before I can go running again, but I have been able to get back in the gym and discover new workouts that I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. My foot issues have not stopped my wanderlust, and each pain-free step I take reminds me of how grateful I am for the skills, expertise, and passion Dr. Rock Positano has for his patients. In his eyes, we are not just patients. We are people he truly cares about, and he wants to see us thrive and get back in the game.

It’s not an exaggeration that Dr. Rock Positano has given me my mobility and spirit back. I could never thank him enough for all he has done and continues to do for me. Everyone should be so fortunate to have a doctor (and friend!) like Dr. Rock Positano. Game on!