The effectiveness of Kinesio® taping for post dry needling soreness on active quadratus lumborum muscles

Abstract: Purpose: Lower back pain is a common disorder that affects at least 60-80% of people sometime in their lives. Active or latent myofascial trigger points are also a major contributor towards the formation of lower back pain. Patients who receive myofascial dry needling may experience post needling soreness which lasts approximately three to four days after the treatment. Kinesio® tape is a modality which assists in improving the circulation of lymph drainage as well as improving circulation of blood by eliminating body fluid or bleeding under the skin by lifting the muscle. However the efficiency of Kinesio® tape for post dry needling soreness of the active quadratus lumborum muscle trigger point has not been shown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Kinesio® taping for post dry needling soreness of the active quadratus lumborum muscle trigger point. Method: This is a comparative study using convenient sampling and random allocation. Participants were recruited by advertising with posters that were placed strategically around the University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein campus and the Chiropractic Day Clinic (Appendix A). The research study was done at the University of Johannesburg Chiropractic Day Clinic. Males and females with lower back pain, who met all the inclusion criteria, were considered to take part in this study. Forty male and female participants between the ages of 18 - 50 years old were recruited for this study. The participants were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research was explained to the participants; the participants were divided up randomly into one of two groups by means of drawing a piece of paper with a number on from a box. The study consisted of 40 participants in total. Group 1 had 20 participants who represented the myofascial dry needling and heat therapy group, and group 2 had 20 participants who represented the myofascial dry needling and Kinesio® Tape group. Procedure: There were three treatment sessions, consisting of myofascial dry needling and either heat therapy or Kinesio® tape as a post dry needle intervention, the subjective and objective data were recorded at all four visits. The subjective measurement was based on the Visual Analogue Pain Scale and the Oswestry Pain and Disability Questionnaire....M. Tech. (Chiropractic