As you may know, we are dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest clinical research to provide exceptional care. The guidelines and research for plantar fasciitis continue to evolve. One example is the American physical therapy Association guidelines for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Initially in 2008, revised in 2014, and most recently in 2023. These evidence-based guidelines help guide our treatment protocols, ensuring that we provide the most effective care possible. A summary of the most recent guidelines is below.
I would like to highlight three of the treatment options available here. Laser therapy has recently been upgraded in the latest guidelines. We have been using laser therapy for plantar fasciitis for several years and it’s nice to see the research and the guidelines catching up. Shockwave therapy is also a treatment option that has been very well researched and is available at our clinic along with dry needling and other specialized soft tissue treatment techniques. Very few physical therapy or chiropractic clinics have all of these tools available to treat plantar fasciitis and we are pleased to be able to offer such comprehensive modern services.
Another important and interesting note I would like to make about the guidelines is they recommend what not to use.
It is important to work with a treatment team who stays up-to-date with the latest diagnostic and treatment options.
Here’s a list of the treatment options based on the clinical guidelines noted above. This can be used as a checklist to make sure you’re doing everything that’s possible and well researched to help recover from your plantar fasciitis:
Manual Therapy: Soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Therapeutic Exercises:
- Stretching of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia for pain relief and flexibility. At about the 3 minute mark in this video
- Strengthening exercises for the foot’s intrinsic muscles to support biomechanics. Here is a video I recommend.
Dry Needling: Trigger point dry needling is included as an emerging technique for alleviating plantar fasciitis pain by targeting muscular tension and improving circulation.
Orthotics: Custom or prefabricated orthotics to correct biomechanical issues and reduce pressure on the plantar fascia.
Night Splints: Recommended for chronic cases lasting more than 6 months, helping to keep the foot in a stretched position overnight.
Taping: Short-term use of taping to provide support and reduce stress on the plantar fascia during movement. At the 6 minute mark of the video here.
Footwear Modifications: Proper supportive shoes that reduce strain on the plantar fascia.
Modalities:
- Laser Therapy: For pain reduction, particularly in chronic cases.
- Iontophoresis/Phonophoresis: To deliver anti-inflammatory medications.
- Shockwave Therapy: Non-invasive treatment for chronic, non-responsive plantar fasciitis.
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