Histologically, PF is not an inflammatory disease but mainly degenerative change. However, NSAIDs are sometimes an effective treatment. In a meta-analysis study, it was found that the NSAIDs group had improved pain relief and disability compared with placebo in short to midterm (Donley et al. 2007).

Stretching is an easy treatment option. A randomized controlled trial has investigated the role of specific Achilles tendon versus plantar fascia stretching exercises in patients with established chronic plantar fasciitis. (DiGiovanni et al. 2003) This involved an eight-week program supplemented by celecoxib for the first three weeks. The short-term outcome demonstrated superior results relating to pain using the Foot Function Index in the plantar fascia-specific stretching group compared with the Achilles stretching group. The 2-year follow-up via questionnaire demonstrated 94% of respondents reported decreased pain, and 92% reported total satisfaction or satisfaction with minor reservations except late stage (DiGiovanni et al. 2006).

Low dye taping is often an effective treatment modality in mild to moderate cases. The strapping uses adhesive tape to immobilize the foot and decreases the distance between the origin and insertion of the plantar fascia, thus relieving plantar strain. Tape will loosen in time, often quickly, and may prove less effective in severe cases. Relief with plantar support by strapping often gives a good indication of the efficacy of orthosis in PF patient (Yale 1974).

Night splints hold the foot in a neutral position, preventing the contracture of the fascia during sleep, which helps to alleviate symptoms in the morning. However, there has been no randomized controlled trial to prove that symptoms are alleviated. Heel inserts are quite popular and can be beneficial in relieving heel pain. Wolgin et al. showed that after six months, 82% of patients had responded to time and conservative therapy (Snook and Chrisman 1972; Wolgin et al. 1994). Orthosis is very good treatment for PF, it is reported that only 1–2% of PF required surgical intervention (Furey 1975).

ESWT in the treatment of PF has reported success rate ranging from 34 to 88% (Chen et al. 2001; Weil et al. 2002). Mechanism of ESWT is still unclear, but it is believed that the shockwaves cause micro-disruption of the thickened plantar fascia, resulting in an inflammatory response, revascularization, and recruitment of growth factors and therefore a soft tissue reparative response (Ogden et al. 2004). Before, ESWT was considered as an end-stage treatment for those patients who have failed conservative measures and are reluctant to have open surgery (Hammer et al. 2002; Wang et al. 2002). However, double-blind randomized controlled trial showed radial ESWT to be better than placebo in recalcitrant patients (Gerdesmeyer et al. 2008). Moreover meta-analysis revealed that the short-term pain relief and functional outcomes of this treatment are satisfactory (Yin et al. 2014). Radwan et al. reported that the clinical results of ESWT are comparable with those of endoscopic plantar fasciotomy for resistant PF at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postoperation (Radwan et al. 2012). Thus, ESWT can be a useful noninvasive treatment for resistant PF and leads to reduce the necessity for surgical intervention. Further studies focused on the medium-and-long term are necessary to make sure the importance of ESWT.