Effect of Primal Reflex Release Technique on Pain Pressure Threshold and Ankle Dorsiflexion in Subjects with Plantar Fasciitis - A Single Blind Randomised Controlled Trial

Background Plantar fasciitis is the common cause for heel pain affecting roughly 10% of the population, characterized by progressive pain with weight bearing and stiffness at ankle. Primal reflex release technique is a manual-therapy approach for musculoskeletal pain relief which produces an immediate effect and was proven effective over 80% of subjects. Therefore, this study is trying to find out the effect of primal reflex release technique on pain pressure threshold and ankle dorsiflexion in subjects with plantar fasciitis.  Objective To determine the effect of primal reflex release technique on pain pressure threshold and ankle dorsiflexion in subjects with plantar fasciitis.  Methods 32 subjects diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were randomly allocated into 2 groups, conventional treatment group and interventional treatment group. Conventional treatment group received conventional treatment and interventional treatment group received primal reflex release technique along with conventional treatment. Treatment was given for 4 consecutive days. Pretreatment scores of pain pressure threshold and weight bearing lunge test were taken on the first day before treatment and post treatment scores were taken immediately after the treatment and on the fourth day after treatment. Home exercises were instructed and follow up scores were taken after two months. Results and Discussion The post-test values of pain pressure threshold and weight bearing lunge test were analysed using independent t test and One way Analysis of variance. There were statistically significant improvements in pain pressure threshold and ankle dorsiflexion in interventional treatment group than conventional treatment group (p<0.05). Primal reflex release technique aimed at down regulation of the nerves innervating the plantar fascia which helped in addressing the symptoms of up- regulation of autonomic nervous system and it produced an immediate and long-lasting effect.  Conclusion Primal reflex release technique is effective in improving pain pressure threshold and ankle dorsi flexion range of motion in subjects with plantar fasciitis.