Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Chronic lower back pain (LBP) is considered as one of the most prevalent
conditions in our society with 70-85% of the population experiencing pain at some point in
their lives and 80% having recurrent episodes. The majority of chronic LBP is treated with
conservative care, with spinal manipulation being a treatment modality shown to be
beneficial resulting in restoration of normal ranges of movement, decrease of muscle
spasm and there is an overall biomechanical change. One of the more modern trends is
combining manipulation with taping. It has been shown that with the application of Kinesio
tape to the lumbar para-spinal muscles effectively increases lumbar range of motion and
decreases pain with the relaxation of tense muscles as well as increase in proprioception
as the tape increasingly stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptors. Elastic bandage has
been shown to improve proprioceptive acuity as it stimulates cutaneous
mechanoreceptors, as well as providing support to joint structure. The purpose of this
study was to determine the superiority of one tape versus the other as well as the efficacy
of the individual tape and whether the combination treatment of spinal manipulative therapy
and taping of the lumbar paraspinal muscles are possibly a more effective treatment
protocol in the treatment of chronic lower back pain.
Method: This clinical study was a comparative study and consisted of two groups of fifteen
participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were between
the ages of eighteen and forty-five years of age. Group 1 was treated with lumbar spine
and sacroiliac joint adjustments and the application of Kinesio tape. Group 2 was treated
with lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint adjustments and the application of elastic bandage.
Treatment took place over a period of three weeks and participants were treated six times
out of a total of seven consultations.
Procedure: Subjective data was recorded at the first and fourth consultation prior to
treatment and on the seventh consultation by means of a Numerical Pain Rating Scale and
an Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire to assess pain and disability.
Objective data was recorded at the first and fourth consultation prior to treatment and on the seventh consultation by means of a digital inclinometer for assessing lumbar spine
range of motion. Data recorded was analyzed by a statistician.
Results: Clinically and statistically significant improvements were noted in both groups
over the course of the study with regards to pain, disability and lumbar spine range of
motion.
Conclusion: The results show that both combination treatments of spinal manipulative
therapy and the application of Kinesio™ tape or elastic adhesive bandage are effective
treatment protocols, both clinical and statistical in decreasing pain, disability and improving
lumbar range of motion in patients with chronic lower back pain. However neither treatment
protocols proved to be superior over the other.