European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY TO EVALUATE EFFECTIVENESS OF IASTM AND PLANTAR FASCIA STRETCHING VERSUS HOT PACKS AND PLANTAR FASCIA STRETCHING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEEL PAIN

Kartik Sukhwal*, Dr. Manisha Saharan, Dr. Shailendra Mehta

ABSTRACT

Background: Plantar heel pain is one of the major complains presenting to foot and ankle specialists, may be seen in upwards of 11% to 15% of adults, thought to be multifactorial in origin. Different factors include increased age, decreased ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion, obesity and excessive periods of weight bearing activity. Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain in adults. It is estimated that more than 1 million patients seek treatment annually for this condition. Plantar fasciitis is thought to be caused by biomechanical overuse from prolonged standing or running, thus creating micro tears at the calcaneal enthesis leading to inflammation at the origin of the plantar fascia and surrounding perifascial structures. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness between IASTM and Plantar fascia stretching versus hot pack and Plantar fascia stretching in patients with chronic heel pain. Methodology: Comparative study design involving 60 patients diagnosed with chronic heel pain. Participants were randomly selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two groups: Group-A received IASTM and plantar fascia stretching, while Group-B received hot pack therapy and plantar fascia stretching. Study duration encompassed 30 minutes per day, three days per week for eight weeks total. Results: Both treatment modalities demonstrated significant effects on chronic heel pain. However, comparative analysis revealed that the group treated with IASTM and plantar fascia stretching achieved statistically more significant improvements than the group treated with hot packs and plantar fascia stretching. Group-A demonstrated mean Visual Analogue Scale improvements from 6.4 to 3.4 (mean difference: 3.0, t=1.04, p<0.05), while Group-B showed improvements from 6.03 to 4.03 (mean difference: 2.0, t=6.16, p<0.05). Between-group comparison revealed superior outcomes for Group-A (mean difference: 0.63, t=5.95, p<0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that IASTM combined with plantar fascia stretching produces statistically superior clinical outcomes as compared to hot pack therapy combined with plantar fascia stretching for chronic heel pain management. These findings align with contemporary evidence supporting tissue-specific interventions and instrument-assisted techniques for conservative plantar fasciitis treatment.

Keywords: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, Chronic plantar fasciitis, Range of motion, Plantar fasciitis, Foot function index, Visual analogue scale.