5 Potent Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Tools
Reading time: 5 minutes
“The projected yearly costs of plantar fascia treatment could range from 192 to 376 million dollars in the United States, which are huge economic burdens for both the society and individuals.” (1) And almost half of plantar fasciitis sufferers will continue to report symptoms ten years after onset. (2)
Fortunately, well-equipped, evidence-based chiropractors can significantly impact both of these statistics. Our plantar fasciitis therapy includes proven, valuable tools like mobilization, myofascial release, stretching, exercise, and modalities. (5-8) The best treatment for plantar fasciitis includes combining multiple techniques- particularly mobilization and exercise. (7,9,18)
Check out this quick explainer to learn more.
In-office plantar fasciitis treatment is essential. However, successful long-term management of cumulative trauma disorders requires minimization of, well…cumulative trauma. Most of that stress occurs between office visits- at home. So here are five home-based plantar fasciitis therapies you can prescribe to help plantar fascia patients preserve their arch after they leave your office.
1. Plantar Fasciitis Taping Techniques
“Plantar fascia taping is designed to stabilize the plantar ligaments and limit abnormal movements of the plantar fascia by exploiting the arch-raising effects of the foot windlass mechanism.” (1)
Windlass mechanism
At heel strike, the plantar fascia is slack to allow the foot to accommodate uneven surfaces. As the heel lifts and forefoot dorsiflexes toward toe-off, the distal plantar fascia "winds" up and around the first MTP joint pulling the plantar fascia taut, shortening the distance between the heel and forefoot, raising the arch– creating a stiffer lever for propulsion. (10)
While the effectiveness of various plantar fasciitis taping techniques is contested, a January 2020 study analyzed a novel therapeutic taping protocol and found potential benefits for runners with plantar fasciitis:
“Our prediction showed that, compared with non-taping, fascia taping reduced maximal strains on the fascia band and increased navicular height slightly during the stance phase. The study quantified the loading status of the plantar fascia during running and provided mechanical evidence to support the usage of taping as a means to reduce fascial strain, thus possibly controlling injury risks for the runners.” (1)
Plantar Fascia Taping Technique- Elastic Therapeutic Tape
Pre-cut one 5-6 inch strip and two 8-12 inch strips of elastic therapeutic tape. Split one end of each long piece into four equal strips, then trim all corners and split the backing at the base of each cut strip. Position the prone patient’s foot so the table forces their metatarsophalangeal joints into dorsiflexion. Anchor the unsplit end of one long piece to the patient’s posterior heel. Apply the four split strips to the undersurface of the plantar fascia with approximately 50% stretch. Apply the second strip to overlap the first identically. Apply the final shorter piece as a stirrup on the plantar heel surface, anchored below each malleolus.
2. Tensoplast Arch Wrap
A Tensoplast wrap is an alternative taping technique that may help support arches and fascia. This method provides supplemental support when an insole is impractical, i.e., sleeping, wrestling, ballet shoes, etc. An advantage of this technique is that patients can temporarily remove the support for bathing.
Tensoplast Arch Wrap
Tensoplast arch taping is performed by applying a strip of tape, adhesive side out, around the patient's arch with a one-inch overlap, then covering the first strip with a second piece, with the sticky side facing the foot. Tape should be applied snugly but should not cause vascular occlusion. Providers may make markings to denote the top and bottom so that the patient may remove and reposition the wrap as needed.
Alternatively, a commercially available brace, like a PSC Fabrifoam wrap, may be more practical for extended use. *Please note that the wrap is size and side specific.
3. Orthotics & Arch Supports for Plantar Fasciitis
Patients who hyperpronate and those with fallen arches may benefit from plantar fascia arch supports or orthotics. (11) But choosing which patients NEED orthotics can be challenging. A BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders study found that 89% of patients who demonstrate at least 3 of the following predictors will benefit from custom foot orthotics: (12)
Average pain intensity decreased by over 1.5 points with a trial of anti-pronation taping
Range of ankle plantarflexion >54 degrees
The strength of ankle plantar flexors on the symptomatic side was equal to or stronger than that on the other side
Range of hip internal rotation <39 degrees
Range of external hip rotation >45 degrees
4. Plantar Fasciitis Brace, Sock, or Boot
Acute heel pain upon arising from bed is a characteristic complaint for plantar fasciitis patients. This occurs partly because the injured tissue heals at rest while the fascia is in a shortened, non-weight-bearing state. The first step of the day then abruptly stretches the new tissue and generates pain – like pulling open a cut first thing each morning.
Chronic plantar fasciitis patients may benefit from a nighttime plantar fasciitis foot brace or night splint that encourages dorsiflexion and allows the plantar fascia to heal in a lengthened state. (13,14) Several commercially-available plantar fasciitis braces range from small and soft to large and rigid.
5. Exercises for Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis Stretches
Routinely stretching the plantar fascia in this fashion is associated with significantly improved outcomes. Plantar fascia mobilization may be performed at home by rolling a golf ball or frozen water bottle beneath the plantar fascia. Stretching exercises are appropriate for the gastroc, soleus, hamstring, and plantar fascia. Subscribers can review those videos here:
Plantar fascia golf ball/ water bottle stretch
Plantar fascia stretch
Calf stretch
Plantar Fasciitis Exercises - Strengthening
Manual therapists should strive to empower the patient so they do not need to rely on long-term extrinsic support. Plantar fasciitis exercises should target strengthening of the gastroc, soleus, posterior tibialis, and intrinsic foot muscles. (15) Examples include marble and towel gripping exercises. Strengthening the flexor digitorum brevis is an essential component of treatment and may be accomplished by performing toe flexion with an exercise band. (16) Eccentric heel raises with the great toe positioned in passive dorsiflexion (i.e., great toe propped up with a towel) have shown benefit for plantar fasciitis patients. (17)
Want more? Check out this recent blog by Toe Pro inventor, Chiropractic legend, and ChiroUp mentor Dr. Tom Michaud. The Latest Stretches & Exercises to Make Sure Plantar Fasciitis Never Returns.
Did you know that Plantar Fasciitis is just one of over 115 conditions covered by ChiroUp? That’s right, our virtual hub provides easy access to evidence-based recommendations for a wide range of conditions, all in one place.
Sign up for your free trial today and start improving your patient outcomes with ChiroUp.
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1. Chen TL, Wong DW, Peng Y, Zhang M. Prediction on the plantar fascia strain offload upon Fascia taping and Low-Dye taping during running. Journal of Orthopaedic Translation. 2020 Jan 1;20:113-21. Link
2. Hansen L, Krogh TP, Ellingsen T, Bolvig L, Fredberg U. Long-term prognosis of plantar fasciitis: a 5-to 15-year follow-up study of 174 patients with ultrasound examination. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine. 2018 Mar 1;6(3):2325967118757983. Link
3. Gross MT, Byers JM, Krafft JL, Lackey EJ, Melton KM. The impact of custom semirigid foot orthotics on pain and disability for individuals with plantar fasciitis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2002 Apr;32(4):149-57. Link
4. Abreu M, Chung C, Mendes L, Mohana-Borges A, Trudell D, Resnick D. Plantar calcaneal enthesophytes: new observations regarding sites of origin based on radiographic, MR imaging, anatomic, and paleopathologic analysis. Skeletal radiology. 2003 Jan 1;32(1):13-21. Link
5. Buchbinder R. Plantar fasciitis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2004 May 20;350(21):2159-66. Link
6. Renan-Ordine R, Alburquerque-SendÍn F, Rodrigues De Souza DP, Cleland JA, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C. Effectiveness of myofascial trigger point manual therapy combined with a self-stretching protocol for the management of plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2011 Feb;41(2):43-50. Link
7. Díaz López AM, Guzmán Carrasco P. Efectividad de distintas terapias físicas en el tratamiento conservador de la fascitis plantar: revisión sistemática. Revista Española de Salud Pública. 2014 Feb;88(1):157-78. Link
8. Schuitema D, Greve C, Postema K, Dekker R, Hijmans JM. Effectiveness of Mechanical Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2019 Jan 1;1(aop):1-35. Link
9. Sutton DA, Nordin M, Cote P, Randhawa K, Yu H, Wong JJ, Stern P, Varatharajan S, Southerst D, Shearer HM, Stupar M. The effectiveness of multimodal care for soft tissue injuries of the lower extremity: a systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2016 Feb 1;39(2):95-109. Link
10. Michaud TC. Foot Orthoses and Other Forms of Conservative Foot Care, Thomas C. Michaud, Newton, MA. 1997.
11. Landorf KB, Keenan AM, Herbert RD. Effectiveness of different types of foot orthoses for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2004 Nov;94(6):542-9. Link
12. Wu FL, Shih YF, Lee SH, Luo HJ, Wang WT. Can short-term effectiveness of anti-pronation taping predict the long-term outcomes of customized foot orthoses: developing predictors to identify characteristics of patients with plantar heel pain likely to benefit from customized foot orthoses. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 2019 Dec;20(1):264. Link
13. Batt ME, Tanji JL, Skattum N. Plantar fasciitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial of the tension night splint. Clinical journal of sport medicine: official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine. 1996 Jul;6(3):158-62. Link
14. Powell M, Post WR, Keener J, Wearden S. Effective treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with dorsiflexion night splints: a crossover prospective randomized outcome study. Foot & ankle international. 1998 Jan;19(1):10-8. Link
15. Allen RH, Gross MT. Toe flexors strength and passive extension range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy. 2003 Aug;33(8):468-78. Link
16. Michaud T, New Techniques For Treating Plantar Fasciitis Competitor Group Published Mar. 6, 2014
17. Rathleff MS, Mølgaard CM, Fredberg U, Kaalund S, Andersen KB, Jensen TT, Aaskov S, Olesen JL. High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2015 Jun;25(3):e292-300. Link
18. Pisirici P, Cil ET, Coskunsu DK, Saylı U, Subasi F. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Versus Graston Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization in Chronic Plantar Heel Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 2022 Nov 1;112(6). Link
