Background/Aims: Chronic low back dysfunction is a serious health problem affecting people at some time in their life; it impedes the mobility of the lumbar spine and adjacent joints leading to functional disabilities. Muscle Energy Techniques aim to normalise soft tissue structures, such as shortened or tight muscles, with no direct implication to the joint associated with these soft tissues. Kinesio taping supports damaged structures without restriction of mobility and at the same time may influence some of the mechanisms associated with muscle fatigue, such as blood flow and proprioception. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Muscle Energy Techniques and kinesio taping on pain level and spinal mobility in patients with chronic low back dysfunction. Methods: A total of 90 patients with chronic low back dysfunction were selected. All participants were randomly allocated into three groups; group A received cross (X) technique kinesio taping and conventional therapy, Group B received cross (X) technique kinesio taping, Muscle Energy Techniques and conventional therapy, Group C received Muscle Energy Techniques and conventional therapy. A visual analogue scale for pain severity and inclinometer for trunk range of motion were used to measure the results. Results: Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the post-treatment measurements of the three groups. Conclusions: A combination between Muscle Energy Techniques and kinesio taping with conventional therapy appears to improve pain and trunk range of motion in patients with chronic low back dysfunction.

Background: Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions (TMJDs) are considered the most common chronic orofacial pain condition characterized by pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) area, masticatory muscles and associated musculoskeletal structures with the affection of mouth opening. Conventional therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are safe and noninvasive modalities that each therapist focuses on to relieve pain and increase function.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of conventional therapy and low-level laser therapy on pain and limitations of daily functions in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD).Methods: Sixty patients (45 females and 15 males) with myofascial pain syndrome of TMJ were divided randomly into study and control groups. The study group received conventional therapy consisting of active and stretching exercises for mandibular muscles with ultrasound and LLLT application on TMJ area. Control group received conventional therapy only. Pressure pain threshold was evaluated using hand-held pressure algometer and pain-related limitations in daily functions were evaluated by the limitations in daily functions-temporomandibular disorders questionnaire (LDF-TMDQ) at baseline and 4 weeks after the treatment.Results: There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in limitations in daily functions, with a significant increase (p < 0.05) in pressure pain threshold for TMJ, masseter and anterior temporalis muscles at both sides in the study group compared with control group. Conclusion:The combination of conventional therapy with LLLT was more effective in pain relief and improvement of limitations in daily functions than does conventional therapy alone for patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunctions.