Sheetal Kalra

Effect of Thoraco-Lumbar Fascia Kinesiotaping as a Therapeutic Intervention for Pain and Functional Disability in Non Specific Low Back Pain-A Pilot Study

The objective of the study was to compare the short-term effect of thoraco-lumbar fascia kinesio-tape on pain and function in patients with non-specific low back pain. It was a pilot experimental controlled trial. Individuals with non-specific low back pain were recruited from Physiotherapy OPD of SGT Hospital. Forty participants with non-specific low back pain were randomly divided into either Group A (Fascial Taping group, n=20) which is the intervention group or Group B (Conventional group n = 20). The intervention group was treated with Thoraco-lumbar fascial taping and spinal exercises along with hot pack while the conventional group was treated with spinal exercises and hot pack. Both groups received treatment for 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Pain was assessed using Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Functional limitation was assessed using Modified Oswestry Disability Index at baseline, at the end of 4th week. The results showed that the Kinesio taping group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in pain compared to control group after the 4-week intervention (p<0.01, 95% confidence interval). There was also a significant difference in functional level in the Kinesio taping group compared to conventional group as measured by Modified Oswestry Disability Index (p<0.001). From the results of the study it can be concluded that Thoraco-lumbar Fascia Taping reduced pain in patients with non-specific low back pain during the treatment phase. Significant differences in functions were also observed.

Manual Physical Therapy in Patients with Myofascial Pain in Upper Trapezius: A Case Series

Myofascial Trigger point is claimed to be a common source of musculoskeletal pain in people presenting to manual therapists for treatment. A multitude of physical therapy interventions have been purposed to be effective in the management of patients presenting to physical therapists with Myofascial trigger point in Upper Trapezius. The purpose of this case series is to describe the outcomes of consecutive series of patients with trigger points who were managed with the use of manual physical therapy and home exercises.

The effect of Static Stretch Versus Retrowalking on the Flexibiliy of the Hamstring Muscle

Study Design : Pre test Post test Study Design Objectives : To study the effect of Static Stretching and Retrowalking on the flexibility of the hamstring muscle and To compare the effect of Static Stretching and Retrowalking on the flexibility of the hamstring muscle. Background : Previous trials have investigated the effects of Static stretching and Retrowalking on Hamstring muscle flexibility and concluded that both increase Hamstring muscle flexibility. No clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of Static stretching and Retrowalking in improving Hamstring muscle flexibility has been reported in the literature. Method : 50 subjects were taken and randomly divided into 2 groups. The group A performed static hamstring stretches while group B performed retrowalking. Both groups performed the selected protocol for four days per week for 4 weeks. All outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and on 4th day of 4th week. Results : The results of this study revealed that the static stretching is more effective in improving hamstring muscle flexibility than retrowalking. The Static stretch group showed a greater increase in active knee extension ROM of 10.25% than the Retrowalking group who showed an increase of 4.56%. Conclusion : Static stretching is better than retrowalking in improving hamstring flexibility.