Kinesio Tape Application and Non-Specific Low Back Pain

Erector Spine KT group (ES-KT Group) Technique: In this group KT was applied according to the Kenzo Kaser Kinesio taping manual. The participants assumed sating position on chair without back support to allow forward bending, while the therapist standing behind the participants. The Kinesio Cure tape was applied as the following; Two I-Tapes (width 5cm, and 0.5mm thickness) were applied on the paravertebral muscles (bilaterally) parallel to the spinous processes of the lumbar spine, from the origin of the lumbar erector spine (iliocostalis lumborum) to its insertion (level of T12). The initial anchor point of tape (4 to 5cm) was carefully removed from its paper backing and applied to the posterior superior iliac crest without stretch. After that, the participant was asked to perform maximum trunk flexion and the tape was removed from the backing paper the tape was applied in the shape of an “I” over the skin in the paravertebral region up to the extremity of the T12 vertebra at 10-15% stretch. The final anchor point of tape (4 to 5cm) was fixed directly above the transvers process of T12 vertebra without a stretch. The same procedure was then applied to the other side. The tape was rubbed by hand several times to warm the adhesive film to achieve adhesion. Ask subjects to stand, and observe the wrinkles in tape that indicate right application. Star KT Group (S-KT Group) technique. The subjects in this group were taped according to the Kenzo Kaser KT manual. Tape application was done in the sitting position and the measure was taken with subject flexion. Four I-strips were placed at 60-100% stretch overlapping in a star shape in the lumbar area. The first strip was applied horizontally with full stretch in center of tape and the end of tape without stretching. The second strip was applied at 90 degrees angle (vertical across the spinous process) with full stretch in center of tape and the end of tape without stretching. The third and fourth strip was applied diagonal (45degrees angle) across the other tape with full stretch in center of tape and the end of tape without stretching. The tape was rubbed by hand several times to warm the adhesive film to achieve good adhesion. The subject was asked to stand to show the wrinkles in tape that indicate right application. Lumbar Package KT Group (LP-KT Group) Technique: the patient in this group received the following Lumber package tape (Sacrum tape , Quadratus lumborum, Lumber interspinal and Iliac crest tape (PSIS up to ASIS) simultaneously as following; Sacrum tape: Tape application was done in the sitting position. Three I-strips cover sacrum areas to support this joint. The measures of 3 strips is different, the measure of longest one between posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the others smaller than the longest with overlapping one third each other. The proximal strip (longest strip) was applied with maximum stretch on the center of the tape to cover the 1/3 sacrum horizontally, and the end of tape without stretch. Then apply the second strip with maximum stretch on the center of the tape to cover middle 2/3 of sacrum, and the end of tape without stretch. Finally apply distal strip (smallest strip) was applied with maximum stretch on the center of the tape to cover the 3/3 of sacrum, and the end of tape without stretch. The tape was rubbed by hand several times to warm the adhesive film to achieve good adhesion. Quadratus lumborum: Tape application was done in the sitting position. Two I-tapes were measure with lumber spine side bending and flexion. The tapes were applied on the Quadratus lumborum muscles (bilaterally) from origin (iliac crest) to insertion (12 ribs). The initial anchor point of tape (4 to 5cm) was carefully removed from its paper backing and applied to the iliac crest without stretch. After that, the participant was asked to do flexion and side bending to opposite side of applied tape of the trunk to stretch the skin and the tape was removed from the backing paper and applied in the shape of an “I” over the skin to 12th rib at 10-15% stretch (stretch from the backing paper). The final anchor point of tape (4 to 5cm) was fixed without stretch. The tape was rubbed by hand several times to warm the adhesive film to achieve good adhesion. Ask the subject to stand, the wrinkles in tape that indicate right application. Lumber interspinal: Tape application was done in the sitting position. One I-tape was positioned longitudinal on the spinous process of lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5). The initial anchor point of tape (4 to 5cm) was carefully removed from its paper backing and applied below the L5 without stretch. Then, there is full stretch on the center of tape was applied in the shape of an “I” over the lumber spine with stretch skin. The final anchor point of tape was fixed without stretch. The tape was rubbed by hand several times to warm the adhesive film to achieve good adhesion. Iliac crest tape [posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) to anterior superior iliac spine ASIS)]: Tape application was done in the sitting position. Two I-tapes was positioned from posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) to anterior superior iliac spine ASIS (bilaterally) with stretch skin through ask subject to do side bending. The initial anchor point of tape (4 to 5cm) was carefully removed from its paper backing and applied on PSIS without stretch (0%). After that, the participant was asked to do side bending of the trunk to opposite side of applied tape to stretch the skin and the tape will be applied in the curve shape over the skin to ASIS (stretch from the backing paper). The final anchor point of tape was fixed to ASIS without stretch. The tape was rubbed by hand several times to warm the adhesive film to achieve good adhesion. The therapist who was certified as Kinesio-Tape therapist applied the KT twice per week for two weeks. Therefore, a total of four tape applications have been performed for each patients and instructed to wear the KT for 48hours. The researcher taught the subjects how to perform relaxation position for back at home. First, ask patient to lie down on back with pillows under head and with hip and knee bent 90 degree. They were instructed to assume this position for 10 minutes, three times daily at home. All participants were instructed to maintain their regular physical activities during the study.