Heel pain showdown: gentle touch vs. tennis ball – which eases plantar fasciitis best?
NCT ID NCT07616492
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested two simple, non-invasive treatments for plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain. Eighty adults aged 20–50 with heel pain lasting over 4 weeks were split into two groups: one received Bowen therapy (a gentle hands-on technique) twice weekly for 12 weeks, while the other used a tennis ball to massage their own foot. The goal was to see which method better reduces pain and improves daily function like walking and standing.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Bowen therapy (manual therapy) and tennis ball technique (self-massage)
- What this could lead to
- If one method proves more effective, it could offer a simple, affordable, drug-free option for managing heel pain at home or with a therapist.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with 80 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Both methods are low-risk, but individual results vary and long-term benefits are not yet proven.
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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
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Alara Healthcare Wapda town Lahore
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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