A Comparative Study of effectiveness between Superficial Heat and Deep Heat along with Static Stretching to Improve the Plantar Flexors Flexibility in Females Wearing High Heel Foot Wears Patel Hasmukh1,*, Desai Dhaval2, Soni Harshit2, Soni Komal2, Shah Chintan2 1Clinical Therapist, U. N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre, Ahmedabad 2Lecturer, SPB Physiotherapy College, Surat *Corresponding author: Hasmukh Patel, D-3 Kalyan Kunj, Radhaswami Road, Ranip, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. E-mail: hasmukhphysio@gmail.com
Online published on 13 February, 2013. Abstract Background Lower extremity overuse injuries commonly occurs due to decreased flexibility of plantar flexor muscles in females wearing high heeled foot wears. Plantar flexors shortening are treated by various physiotherapeutic techniques. Superficial heat (moist heat) and Deep heat (ultra sound) along with static stretching are treatment techniques used in physiotherapy. Objectives To compare the effectiveness of superficial heat and Deep heat in combination with static stretching in improving the plantar flexors flexibility in females wearing high heeled footwears. Method The study included a sample of 40 individuals those who were wearing high heel > 2 inch. Out of that 20 individuals were in superficial heating group (group A) where moist heat was administered for 15 minutes to Achilles tendon, and remaining 20 individuals were in deep heating group (group B) where continuous ultrasound with frequency of 1 MHz at an intensity of 1.5 W/Cm2 was administered for 7 minutes to the Achilles tendon. Both the groups received 30 seconds of static stretch with 4 repetitions performed 5 times per week. The duration of entire study was 3 weeks and both the group received 1 session per day. Analysis was based on the Goniometer test score. Result Both the group A and group B showed improvement in ankle ROM postintervention when compared with preintervention measurement and ‘t'calculated value for pre-postintervention measures was statistically significant as it was above the ‘t’ tabulated value. Moreover, Mean±SD of pre-post difference in right ankle dorsiflexion ROM for group A was 2.90±1.37 and for group B was 4.25±0.85 and Mean±SD of pre-post difference in left ankle dorsiflexion ROM for group A was 3.60±1.04 and for group B was 4.35±0.74. ‘t'calculated value for pre-post ROM difference was statistically significant as it was above the ‘t’ tabulated value of 1.96. Interpretation & Conclusion There was significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion both the treatment programs are highly significant and effective in improving the ankle joint ROM, but ultrasound with deep heating property was found to be more superior as compared to moist heat pack with superficial heating property in improving plantar flexors flexibility in females wearing high heel foot wears. Top Keywords Flexibility, Ultrasound Therapy, Moist heat, Static Stretching. Top |