References

Every primary source cited on this site

Each link goes to the PubMed record or clinical guideline. If you want to verify a clinical claim made anywhere on this site, start here.

Plantar fascia stretching protocols

  1. DiGiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, et al. (2003). Tissue-specific plantar fascia-stretching exercise enhances outcomes in patients with chronic heel pain: a prospective, randomized study. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). View source ↗
  2. DiGiovanni BF, Nawoczenski DA, et al. (2006). Plantar fascia-specific stretching exercise improves outcomes in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis: a long-term prospective follow-up. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). View source ↗

Eccentric loading and high-load strength training

  1. Rathleff MS, Mølgaard CM, et al. (2014). High-load strength training improves outcome in patients with plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. View source ↗
  2. Alfredson H, Pietilä T, et al. (1998). Heavy-load eccentric calf muscle training for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendinosis (the original eccentric protocol later adapted to plantar fasciopathy). American Journal of Sports Medicine. View source ↗

Histology, fasciopathy not fasciitis

  1. Lemont H, Ammirati KM, Usen N (2003). Plantar fasciitis: a degenerative process (fasciosis) without inflammation. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. View source ↗

Risk factors and epidemiology

  1. Riddle DL, Pulisic M, et al. (2003). Risk factors for plantar fasciitis: a matched case-control study. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). View source ↗
  2. Bolívar YA, Munuera PV, Padillo JP (2013). Relationship between tightness of the posterior muscles of the lower limb and plantar fasciitis. Foot & Ankle International. View source ↗
  3. Irving DB, Cook JL, Menz HB (2006). Factors associated with chronic plantar heel pain: a systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. View source ↗

Clinical practice guidelines

  1. McPoil TG, Martin RL, et al. (2008). Heel pain, plantar fasciitis: clinical practice guidelines linked to the international classification of function, disability, and health. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA). View source ↗
  2. Martin RL, Davenport TE, et al. (2014). Heel pain, plantar fasciitis: revision 2014. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. View source ↗

Shock wave therapy and adjuncts

  1. Rompe JD, Cacchio A, et al. (2010). Plantar fascia-specific stretching versus radial shock-wave therapy as initial treatment of plantar fasciopathy. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). View source ↗

Foot intrinsic muscles and strengthening

  1. McKeon PO, Hertel J, et al. (2015). The foot core system: a new paradigm for understanding intrinsic foot muscle function. British Journal of Sports Medicine. View source ↗

Stretching duration evidence

  1. Bandy WD, Irion JM (1994). The effect of time on static stretch on the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Physical Therapy. View source ↗
Last reviewed 2026-05-12
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Written by Oliver Wakefield-Smith, Founder of Digital Signet
Researches and writes evidence-based consumer health content. Not a clinician. Every clinical claim on this page links to its primary source. Email corrections.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12 · plantarfasciitisstretches.com