Barefoot Walking vs. Standard Care for Heel Pain
Part of Bones, joints & muscles clinical trials.
This study compares barefoot walking to standard conservative care (like stretching and supportive shoes) for plantar fasciitis—a common cause of heel pain. Researchers want to see if walking barefoot helps reduce pain and improve function in people with persistent heel discomfort.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- Age 18–70 years old
- Diagnosed heel pain (sharp or stabbing pain under the heel, worse with first steps in the morning, and confirmed by a doctor's exam)
- Symptoms lasting at least 4 weeks
- Able to walk on your own without crutches or a walker
- No prior surgery on the affected foot
- No diabetes with nerve damage, neurological conditions affecting the leg, or active inflammatory arthritis
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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