Hi,

I have to agree with Bernard (somasimple) on this thread...

Firstly, my personal preference is to ditch the electrotherapy - where is the evidence for it?

Secondly, addressing the biomechanical causes is the best thing to do.

Thirdly, Wikipedia reference-linkplantar fasciitis is a misnomer. It is similar to Achilles Tendinitis and Lateral Epiconylitis. There have been studies which show that there are not many inflammatory markers present but increased neurotransmitter (?) markers which increase the sensitivity. Researchers therefore believe that the problem is a tendinopathy, not inflammation. Correction of the underlying, often repetitive causes are the best bet.

Fourthly, although i am from Australia, I really do believe that the best physios are from Australia, Netherlands, Canada and selected parts of the USA. Australia is the land of motor control, brought core-stability research to the fore and continues to break new ground through the work of O'Sullivan, Hodges, Jull, etc. Canada benefits from the enormous contribution of Diane Lee. Just look at the research...

Lastly, my 2 cents worth...
1. I screen my patients to exclude all the joints to the T/S since tension along any of the fascial systems can affect the nerves and and structures of and to the foot (I once fixed a chronic ankle pain by treating the instability in the T/S - didn't touch the ankle once and the pain disappeared in 1-2 sessions!).
2. My patients have to learn to prevent excessive pronation - a wobble board exercise with one-leg standing works the muscles that help support your longtiduinal arch. Also "toe crawls" are excellent - the patient moves forward inches at a time by dragging themselves forward with toe flexion - try it for 2m - it is not that easy if you are weak!
3. They have to use a dowel stick, rolling pin, etc to self-massage the plantar fascia since I have found that it does provide relief in so many patients (especially after doing their exercises).
4. Taping for the arch - fig 6 or low-dye works best - to ease the load and settle the pain.
5. Stay away from the electro!!! If the patient wants to use heat or ice - i don't care, let them do it but i don't think it will help except to cover up their pain. All the other gadgets are, in my humble opinion, a waste of time (mine and theirs)...

Sdkashif, where do you get your reference material from? I am used to references when quoting other people's work (i am assuming that the info you provide is not entirely your own...)