Deep massage to posterior calf muscles in combination with neural mobilization exercises as a treatment for heel pain: A pilot randomized clinical trial

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69 patients with plantar heel pain syndrome were randomized to receive either a deep massage therapy with neural mobilization and a self-stretch exercise program directed to the posterior calf muscles or therapeutic ultrasound therapy to the heel region with the same self-stretch exercise program to compare pain relief and function between these interventions. Results indicated functional status scores improved significantly in both groups but was clinically significant in only the deep massage therapy group. Decrease in pain scores during first morning steps was both clinically and statistically significant in both groups from baseline to discharge.