Preface

Comparison of Structural Diagnosis and Management (SDM) approach and Myofascial Release (MFR) for improving planter heel pain, ankle range of motion and disability: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…This study found significant reduction in pain and disability and improvements inactivity, range for both groups, compared to baseline (table 4), These findings concur with previous findings and provide evidence that stretching to the plantar fascia, gastrocnemii and soleus muscles [20] or stretching gastrocnemii and soleus muscles, alone, have a significant (p=<.05) improvement effect, compared to baseline, in 4 weeks (12 sessions). Although the MFR process stated in the control was not supported by Garten [29], the reason of improvement might be the stated process of plantar fascia release. Between group analysis found the SDM intervention for releasing gastrocnemii and soleus muscles was significantly superior in reducing pain and disability and improving activity (p=<.005) compared to the MFR process [20] of gastrocnemii, soleus and plantar fascia.…”

“…Although DiGiovanni and colleagues found the opposite result, it was the process of stretching that made the difference; the study instructed the patient to stretch the calf (gastrocnemii and soleus muscles) in a standing position, keeping the affected limb behind contralateral limb in a straight-line, while keeping the knee extended [20]. Garten [29] explained a different process of stretching of the calf in myofascial pain syndrome. He described dorsiflexion stretch keeping knee extended only stretches the gastrocnemii, to stretch soleus the knee should be flexed.…”