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Sports, Health & Wellness Insights

ISSN: 3107-7617 (Online) | Frequency: Half-yearly | Type: Open Access | Peer Review: Double Blind

Editor in Chief : Prof. (Dr.) Suraj Kumar

About : The Sports, Health & Wellness Insights journal is a bi-annual, peer-reviewed, national e-journal. It is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary scholarship in therapy, rehabilitation, health sciences, and wellness. Journal at a Glance Title Sports, Health & Wellness Insights Frequency Bi-Annual Sco Read more

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Advances in Rehabilitation for Plantar Fasciitis: A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Approaches and Emerging Therapies

  • Aditi Gupta Aditi Gupta MPT 1st year Student Department of Physiotherapy, Student of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India India ,  
  • Gowrishankar Potturi* Gowrishankar Potturi Corresponding author PhD., HOD Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India India ,  
  • Neha Dubey Neha Dubey Faculty Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India India ,  
  • Mayank Kumar Mayank Kumar Faculty Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India India ,  
  • K.B. Ranjeet Singh Chaudhary K.B. Ranjeet Singh Chaudhary Faculty Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India India ,  
  • Anjali Agarwal Anjali Agarwal Faculty Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India India
Received: October 10, 2025
Accepted: November 24, 2025
Published: December 24, 2025
Volume: 1 (2) | Page: 40-50

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain in adults, resulting from repetitive micro trauma and inflammation of the plantar fascia due to excessive loading or faulty biomechanics. Despite a wide range of available treatment options, the most effective rehabilitation strategy remains a subject of ongoing research and clinical debate.

This review explores advanced rehabilitation strategies for plantar fasciitis, focusing on conservative, contemporary, and emerging therapeutic approaches.

Recent systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, meta analysis, and comprehensive review were thoroughly analyzed to evaluate the efficacy, functional outcomes, and clinical relevance of different conservative, contemporary, and emerging rehabilitation interventions used in the management of plantar fasciitis.

Conservative management, including stretching, the RICE protocol, patient education, manual therapy, and strengthening exercises, remains the keystone of plantar fasciitis management. Orthotics and low-Dye taping provide mechanical unloading and symptomatic relief. Advanced modalities such as extracorporeal shockwave therapy and photobiomodulation offer short-term benefits. Newer approaches, including platelet-rich plasma and high-intensity laser therapy, show potential but lack strong long-term evidence. Surgery should be reserved for unmanageable cases, as evidence regarding the optimal technique and long-term outcomes remains limited.

A combination of conservative, contemporary, and emerging rehabilitation strategies may improve recovery and reduce recurrence in plantar fasciitis. Further high-quality studies with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are needed to clarify the most effective treatment pathways.

Keywords: plantar fasciitis, heel pain, rehabilitation, emerging therapies, contemporary approach, conservative care, review, surgical interventions

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