Acute effects of myofascial induction technique in plantar fascia complex in patients with myofascial pain syndrome on postural sway and plantar pressures: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract Objectives The prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome varies from 21% 93%. Several studies have shown that myofascial induction is effective in treating myofascial pain syndrome. Although these techniques have shown some effectiveness in clinical practice, there have been little study into their effects, and have deep effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the application of a single myofascial induction technique for each foot, targeted to the plantar fascia resulted in changes in balance and footprint variables. Design A quasi-experimental study. Setting An outpatient clinic. Subjects 20 healthy participants (12 females and 8 males) were evaluated pre and post Myofascial induction technique for each foot in plantar fascia during 5 min. Methods We measured static footprint and stabilometry variables in asymptomatic subjects. The footprint surface area was divided: bilateral rear foot, bilateral midfoot, bilateral fore foot. Results We found differences in the footprint variables: maximun pressure in forefoot (p = 0.025), surface in forefoot (p = 0.03). The myofascial induction has no effects on stabilometry variables. Conclusions The immediate effects of the longitudinal technique of myofascial induction of the plantar fascia are the increase of surface and maximum pressure in fore foot.