Massage vs. stretch: which eases heel pain best?
NCT ID NCT07078513
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested two manual therapy techniques—Active Release Technique (ART) and Strain-Counterstrain (SCS)—in 20 adults with chronic plantar fasciitis. Both aim to reduce pain and improve foot function without drugs or surgery. The results will show which approach works better for this common heel condition.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Manual therapy (Active Release Technique or Strain-Counterstrain)
- What this could lead to
- If one technique proves better, it could offer a more effective hands-on treatment for plantar fasciitis pain and mobility.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The therapies are manual and depend on the practitioner's skill.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Riphah international University Malakand Campus
Chakdara, KPK, 18800, Pakistan
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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