The Effect of TheraBand® Kinesiology Tape on Post-manipulation Pain and Range of Motion

The purpose of this study is to determine if post-manipulation elastic therapeutic tape
(ETT) with TheraBand® Kinesiology Tape to neck pain patients can impact neck range of motion
(ROM) and post-manipulation pain. A convenience sample of 50 patients, between the ages of
18-64, who present with acute non-complicated postural neck pain will be recruited from an
outpatient chiropractic clinic. Complications would include discogenic pain or radicular
symptoms. Inclusionary criteria would also consist of onset less than 18 days and the
indications for cervical manipulation, including pain, decreased range of motion, and
hypertonicity. Exclusionary criteria will include pregnancy, contraindications to
manipulation, and previous neck surgery. Patients will be recruited on the first visits to
ensure they haven't receive manipulation before for this current plan of care. Upon
providing consent to participate, patients will be randomly assigned into 2 groups; Control
Group (n=25) and Tape Group (n=25). Pain and neck ROM will be recorded at 3 different
intervals: (1) pre-cervical manipulation, (2) within 5 minutes of cervical manipulation, (3)
with 24-48 hours after manipulation. The control group will receive manipulation only, while
the Tape Group will have ETT TheraBand® Kinesiology Tape applied immediately following
cervical manipulation. The taping protocol will be applied by the investigator and consist
of a "Y" strip applied at 25% tension running superior to inferior from the hair line to
T1-2 and a horizontal "I" strip applied at 50% tension at the site of pain. Six cervical
ranges of motion values will be recorded utilizing the Acumar DataCapture hand-held dual
inclinometer. Range of motion will be measured at maximum (max) degrees and average degrees
of 6 trials and will include: flexion (F), extension €, left side-bending (LSB), right
side-bending (RSB), left rotation (LR), and right rotation (RR). Measure of pain will be
asked of each patient using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) from 0-10. They will be
asked to rate their pain at rest and when in motion.

Inclusion Criteria:

- ages of 18-64 who present with non-complicated postural neck pain, indications for
cervical manipulation, including pain, decreased range of motion, and hypertonicity

Exclusion Criteria:

- Complications would include discogenic pain or radicular symptoms, pregnancy,
contraindications to manipulation, and previous neck surgery