Efficacy of Static Stretching Along With Frozen Tennis Ball Exercises in Individuals With Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, a prevalent kind of heel pain that affects people of all ages and involves inflammation of the fascia covering the plantar region, is a typical ailment in India. Physiotherapy is among the many available treatment choices. When combined, stretching and freezing tennis ball workouts will aid in recovery from the condition.

The 30 participants were selected using a random sampling technique in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A control group and an experimental group were established. A Foot Function Index (FFI) and a Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) were used for the pre-test evaluations. The patient received the regimen for two months. A post-test evaluation was then completed. The findings were determined using statistics and paired and unpaired testing.

Thirty participants were divided equally into Group A (control, static stretching, n = 15) and Group B (experimental, frozen tennis ball + stretching, n = 15). Within-group analysis showed a significant reduction in NPRS scores in Group A (pre: 7.6 ± 1.88 vs. post: 6.73 ± 1.38; t = 4.516, P = 0.0005) and Group B (pre: 7.73 ± 1.75 vs. post: 3.53 ± 1.06; t = 16.039, P < 0.0001). FFI scores also improved significantly in Group A (pre: 66.0 ± 12.43 vs. post: 58.73 ± 11.82; t = 11.294, P < 0.0001) and Group B (pre: 70.73 ± 12.10 vs. post: 39.73 ± 5.69; t = 14.025, P < 0.0001). Between-group comparison of the post-test scores revealed a significant advantage for Group B over Group A in both NPRS (t = 7.099, P < 0.0001) and FFI (t = 5.609, P < 0.0001).

The findings indicate that static stretching and frozen tennis ball workouts have shown a significant and clinically beneficial effect on reducing plantar heel discomfort and impairment of foot function, particularly in individuals diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.