Effectiveness of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) And Manual Massage On Thickness, Pain and Foot Function Among Patient With Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis (PF) is a frequently and commonly reported heel pain present in every age with multifactorial etiology. It is the most common reason for constant heel pain in adults affecting both young active and older sedentary individuals. PF is reported approx. 11%-15% of all foot symptoms demanding professional care among adults. Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Massage (IASTM) refers to a technique that utilizes instruments to eliminate scar tissues and work with mending measure through development of new extracellular lattice proteins like collagen that may be effective in providing immediate and quick pain relief by covering a larger area. On the other hand, numerous options with conservative measures has been frequently documented in treating plantar fasciitis that may include stretching, massage, orthosis, anti-inflammatory agents and surgery etc. Although, transverse friction massage has been considered to be one of the best treatment option in reducing pain, releasing tight areas and promoting flexibility. Besides, several studies reported the usefulness of potential assessment tools for remote monitoring of patients that can be utilized by clinicians for wider range of purposes. To the best of author's knowledge, limited studies has been conducted till date utilizing the IASTM technique in comparison to conservative treatment options with standardized assessments in treating PF. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of IASTM to assess thickness, pain, and foot function by using ultrasound for the management of plantar fasciitis patients. The findings of this study may be useful to establish an effective treatment protocol to enhance the quality of life of the target population.