It seems to help if it's not very severe. It tears up all the little microfibers that you'd tear by stretching your foot (like first thing in the morning when you stand on it) but seems to last longer. And it does something to the nerve endings to relieve the pain. For me, it's gone a few weeks. I have a few acupuncture sessions I got on a good deal that need to be used...that's my next PF experiment. LOL
I have also an appointment for the podiatrist in 2 weeks since my left heel got pretty bad 3 months ago from my increased distance running and the pain isn't really going away. I stopped running but even barbell squats or walking from the car to the store seems to irritate it at random times. I fear it's a heel spur since no amount of foot rolling, calf foam rolling/stretching is relieving the pain (it's localized in the heel, but goes away like PF when you're up and walking). Needless to say I'm frusterated since I have a 4 mile race to run in come September.
Though I'm sure her answer will be "stop running" since it seems nobody in the medical world wants anyone anywhere to do anything more than a brisk walk. o-O