The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of 8 weeks of foot rehabilitation exercises in conjunction with wearing minimalist shoes in individuals with plantar fasciopathy, compared to only performing foot rehabilitation exercises. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will individuals with plantar fasciopathy be able to reduce their pain and improve their self-reported function by performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes, compared to those only performing rehabilitation exercises? * Will individuals with plantar fasciopathy be able to increase their intrinsic foot muscle strength and size, their balance, and gait biomechanics by performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes, compared to those only performing rehabilitation exercises? * What characteristics of individuals with plantar fasciopathy make them most suited to succeed in a protocol of performing rehabilitation exercises and wearing minimalist shoes? Participants will be asked to come into the lab at the start of the intervention and after 8 weeks, where the following will be assessed: * Patient-reported outcomes * Foot morphology * Intrinsic foot muscle strength * Balance * Gait biomechanics For the intervention, participants in both groups will perform the same rehabilitation exercises, including: * Massage to the bottom of the foot * Calf-raises * Calf and foot stretches
Age range
18 Years – 55 Years
Sex
ALL
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The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Change in Pain
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the midpoint of the intervention (4 weeks), to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in perception of overall recovery
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the midpoint of the intervention (4 weeks), to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in self-reported function and health
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the midpoint of the intervention (4 weeks), to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in foot morphology: length, width, arch height, and girth
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in intrinsic foot muscle size
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in intrinsic foot muscle strength
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in center of pressure (COP) distance during balance
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in foot posture outcomes
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in center of pressure (COP) velocity during balance
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in center of pressure (COP) 95% ellipse area during balance
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.
Change in vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) of the rearfoot
Timeframe: This outcome change will be measured from baseline, to the end of the intervention (8 weeks) for both groups.