Strain counter-strain technique versus kinesio tape in treating patients with myofascial neck pain syndrome

Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common complaints in clinical practice. Strain counter-strain technique is non-invasive therapeutic modality for treatment of soft tissue disorders. Kinesio tape is now widely used in management of musculoskeletal injuries. Forty-five patients with myofascial neck pain syndrome assigned randomly into: strain counter-strain technique group ( n = 15), kinesio tape group ( n = 15) and control group ( n = 15). The strain counter-strain technique was applied for two weeks (3 sessions/week-20 minutes per session). Kinesio tape was applied for upper Trapezius muscle for two weeks (3 days on and one day off). Pressure algometry, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used to evaluate participants before and after the corresponding interventions. Analysis of variance test (Anova) was used to determine differences between groups for all measured parameters. Paired t -test was used to compare between the pre- and post-treatment values within groups. For the 45 study participants (33 women and 12 men; mean age = 44.1 ± 7 years) statistical analysis revealed that subjects in strain counter-strain technique and kinesio tape groups experienced significant increase in pressure pain threshold, decrease in neck disability scale and pain level than those in the control group in favour of strain counter-strain technique group ( P > 0.05). The results suggest that treatment with strain counter-strain technique and kinesio tape were effective however strain counter-strain technique was more effective for management of myofascial neck pain syndrome.