Effects of elastic therapeutic taping and lower extremity stretching on heel pain, foot disability, and ground reaction force in individuals with plantar fasciitis

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of three interventions in individuals with chronic plantar fasciitis. A total of 30 subjects were randomly divided into three groups with 10 subjects per group. The first group received a 4-day elastic therapeutic taping, the second group received a 7-day lower-extremity stretching exercise, and the other group received both elastic therapeutic taping and stretching protocols. Outcomes including pain intensity, foot disability, ground reaction force, and range of motion were collected at baseline, the end of the first visit, and 1-week follow up.

The results of immediate effects revealed that all groups significantly decreased current pain (p<0.05). The results of short-term effects also found that all groups significantly reduced current pain (p<0.05). The combined treatment group also demonstrated a decrease in foot disability (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in change of all variables among three groups. The current taping application could relieve heel pain because it supported plantar fascia during weight bearing activities, so the fascia overstretching and repeated injury could be inhibited. Stretching of plantar fascia, gastrocnemius, peronei, and hamstring muscles could reduce foot disability because such exercise could unload pressure on the fascia, and prevent foot overpronation during walking. Thus, the combination between taping and lower-extremity stretching may be recommended when treating plantar fasciitis for better outcome.