Efficacy of kinesio taping in reducing low back pain

Abstract

Introduction: Kinesio Taping is rehabilitative technique used to facilitate the body's natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints, without restricting their range of motion. We conducted a thorough literature search and evaluation to clarify whether Kinesio Taping is effective in reducing lower back pain.

Cupping Versus Kinesiotap on Management of Patients With Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: “A Randomized Controlled Trial”

“…Moreover, KT provides a positional stimulus to the skin, muscle and fascial structures and providing a proper afferent input to the central nervous system which in turn leads to a reduction of pain (Gusella, Bettuolo et al 2014). (Trobec and Peršolja 2017) were in agreement with the current study as they concluded that the effect of kinesiotape therapy in reducing low back pain is positive, but was not statistically significant in analyzed studies. (Castro-Sánchez, Lara-Palomo et al 2012) who studied the shortterm effect of kinesio taping versus placebo tape for one week on patient with chronic non-specific low back pain of mechanical etiology.…”

The potential value of kinesio taping for the management of nonspecific low back pain

“…It consists of applying an adhesive elastic tape, very thin, on the skin [12]. The tape, called kinesiology tape (K-active tape) contains no latex, no chemical or pharmacological substances, and is temperature sensitive, water resistant, with an acrylic adhesive that is heat sensitive [3,12,20,53]. In comparison with the tape used by athletes, or other types of therapeutic tapes, the elastic therapeutic tape allows longitudinal stretching of the muscle in order to diminish pain and to improve muscular performance when it is applied in the stretched position, and it can stretch to over 120-140% from its original length [27,54].…”

“…They concluded that the muscular strength of the back was higher in the patients with elastic taping in comparison with those who do not received taping, but equal with those who received rigid taping [54]. Regarding the pressure that can be used when applying kinesio taping in subjects with chronic lower back pain, Parreira Pdo C. et al [3,56] have observed similar results in the reduction of pain intensity and incapacity in both methods, respectively with a 10-15% tension (that generated circumvolutions) or without tension (when circumvolutions can be avoided). A significant improvement regarding reduction of pain and limiting lumbar movement and incapacity was shown by Asthana D. et al in patients with chronic lower back pain that benefited from kinesio taping in association with conventional treatment [16].…”

“…The most frequent causes for pain are muscular and skeletal damage or diseases that lead to injury, irritation or inflammation of the soft tissues, which can lead to functional failure [2]. Lower back pain can be defined as pain localized between the lower margin of the ribcage and the upper part of the buttocks, including the lumbarsacral area, between the L4 and L5 vertebrae [3]. It is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders that affects up to 80% of the adult population at least once in a lifetime [4,5].…”

The immediate and short-term effects of dynamic taping on pain, endurance, disability, mobility and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial

“…Among all the available types of tape, KT is widely used to manage clinical conditions and clinical research. An examination of the available systematic reviews [25,[51][52][53] to evaluate KT's effectiveness on CNLBP reveals that there is no current evidence to support the use of this method. At the same time, we need to examine another tape, such as DT, that manages CNLBP.…”