Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Introduction
The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of chiropractic manipulative therapy and Kinesio® taping or Dynamic® taping was an effective treatment protocol in the management of chronic non-specific thoracic pain. The addition of taping techniques to chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) may prove to be more effective than SMT alone. This in turn may lead to faster improvements in health and better patient cooperation and therefore furthering the development of the chiropractic profession.
Methodology
Thirty participants, with non-specific thoracic spine pain, between the ages of 18 and 40 years were recruited for the research study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, each with fifteen participants. Group 1 was treated with SMT and Kinesio® tape while Group 2 was treated with SMT and Dynamic® tape. Both tapes were applied to the participants’ thoracic region.
A total of seven consultations took place over three weeks. Subjective readings were taken using a Thoracic spine questionnaire, to assess the participants’ levels of pain and disability. Objective readings were taken using the Basic Range of Motion (BROM) tool to measure the movement in the thoracic spine.
Results
The statistical data was analyzed using Independent T-tests, Normality tests, Paired samples T-test, Descriptive statistics and One way repeated...