[samhass]

Lisa, I wore Birkenstocks, did the exercises, and wore the boot but the thing that cured me was a tens unit. It is a small electrical stimulation unit with pads that mildly "shocks" the nerve endings. I use it for my wrist and back also. I've had it for years and let a friend borrow it for his feet.. He liked it so much that he ordered half a dozen on the net. Back in the day they ran several hundred dollars. Now you can pick them up for around ten dollars. They are not to be used above the neck, but for other aches and pains I swear by them. Good luck.