The effects of Kinesio taping or post-isometric muscle relaxation on pain intensity and stiffness, tension of soft tissue, and ease of movement of the lumbar spine in non-specific low back pain patients.

Arm-1 The group Kinesio taping underwent a seven-day intervention that included an H-shaped KT of the lumbar spine. The first base was applied at the level of the twelfth rib, and the patch was applied with the participants in a bent forward position with a tension of 15 to 20%. After participants returned to the starting position, the final base was glued at the level of the sacroiliac joints (about 2-3 cm) without tension. The same application was made on the other side of the spine. Finally, the third patch was applied transversely to the first two with a tension correction of 70-80% using the musculoskeletal method, and then the bases of the patch were glued on both sides without generating tension. The intervention was realized in a private clinic by an experienced physiotherapist in manual therapy. Applications had to be maintained for seven days, with an assessment of tension adherence to the tape by the physiotherapist and corrections in the case. Arm -2 The group post-isometric relaxation underwent a therapy of the erector spinal muscle, for which they performed three series of self-exercises for seven days. For each treatment series, the participants performed five repetitions of muscle tension and relaxation phases, with a single tension lasting five to seven seconds and the relaxation phase with stretching of the erector spinal muscle lasting three to four seconds. The participant performed the exercises in the side position while holding their knees with their hands and bending their head. The stretching phase of the back extensor muscles was designed to straighten the whole body, which made it impossible to grip the knees. Meanwhile, the relaxation-stretching phase aimed to maximally bend the whole body and head. At the end of each series, study participants performed a single stimulation of the antagonists by pushing their knees with their hands. The intervention was realized in a private clinic by an experienced physiotherapist in manual therapy. The film was used to repeat exercises correctly by participants at home.