Comparative study of effectiveness of myofascial release along with taping versus strengthening and stretching exercises of intrinsic foot muscles in chronic plantar fasciitis

GROUP A  This group will have n=20 Participants and will be given intervention of  Myofascial release technique along with kinesio taping.

All participants will receive 20 minutes of moist heat therapy while seated and reclining on a couch. The posterior aspect of the heel and calf region will be treated with moist heat therapy.

After moist heat treatment Myofascial Release should be done along plantar fascia and tendoachilles with application of lubricator.

After MFR taping should be done with supported arch. Foot should be placed in slight dorsiflexion. Small strips should be placed from the inside (medial) aspect of the foot, starting just behind the ball of the foot and extending towards the inside of the ankle.

These strips are aimed at supporting the arch.

The large strip is placed on the outside (lateral) aspect of the foot, starting just behind the ball of the foot and extending towards the outside of the ankle.

This strip helps support the lateral arch.

Another strip is placed from the outside of the foot, around the back of the heel, and towards the inside of the foot.

 GROUP B This group will have n = 20 Participants and will be given the intervention of the physical therapy that includes stretching and strengthening exercise of intrinsic foot muscles.

All participants will receive 20 minutes of moist heat therapy while seated and reclining on a couch. The posterior aspect of the heel and calf region will be treated with moist heat therapy

After moist heat treatment various strengthening exercises are administered. These exercise are:

 Towel Curl Exercises: patient is asked to curl towel with squeezing toes.

Pebble Picking Exercises:  patient is asked to pick pebbles from squeezed toes.

Figure of 8 Exercise: patient is asked to draw 8 from toes,

Arch maintaining exercise: patient is asked to curl the foot to form high arch.

Wobble Board Training: patient is asked to do alternate dorsiflexion-plantarflexion and alternate inversion and eversion.

 All the exercises should be done with 10 repetitions each.

The Stretching Exercises administered are:

 Tendoachilles Stretching: Patient is allowed to lie supine on couch with both knees extended. Therapist in walkstanding position places hand under heel slightly rises the leg and applies pressure while dorsiflexing foot with forearm. The pressure is maintained for 15 seconds.

 We will guide patient to do Self calf stretching at home as exercises mention below:

With a wall

 Step 1: Stand about an arm’s length in front of a wall. Place the right leg in front of the left. Reach both arms to the wall.

Step 2: Press the back (left) heel into the floor and straighten the back leg while keeping the front leg bent. Hold this position for 15 seconds.

Step 3: Repeat the stretch on the opposite side.

Without a wall

Step 1  Place the right leg in front of the left leg.

Step 2 Shift the body’s weight on to the front (right) leg, while keeping the back heel pressed into the floor. Hold this position for 15 seconds.

Step 3 Repeat the stretch on the opposite side.[11]

The exercises should be done with 10 repetitions