The effect of Kinesio taping technique on trigger points of the piriformis muscle.
BACKGROUND
Kinesio taping (KT) is a novel method which has recently emerged as a viable option to treat various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular deficits. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of KT on pain and hip joint range of motion (ROM) in individuals with myofacial trigger points in the piriformis muscle.


METHODS
51 patients with involvement of the piriformis muscle were assigned to experimental (N = 33) or control (N = 18) groups. The experimental group received KT with unloading techniques on the piriformis muscle and they were asked to keep this tape in place for three days. Pain and internal rotation (IR) of hip joints were measured at baseline, immediately after the KT application, and at a 72-h follow-up.


RESULTS
The analysis of repeated measurement ANOVA yielded no main effects, but the interactions between group and time for each dependent variable (pain and ROM) were significant. A post-hoc analysis revealed significant improvement in pain and hip IR immediately postapplication and at a 72-h follow up in the KT group, while no significant change were found on dependent variables in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggests that KT application may be effective for pain relief and increasing ROM in patients with myofacial trigger points in the piriformis muscle.
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Evin, Tehran, Iran; Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: fahimeh.hashemirad@monash.edu.
Fahimeh
F
Hashemirad
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Evin, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: karimi@uswr.ac.ir.
Noureddin
N
Karimi
Department of Physical Therapy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Electronic address: pt_keshavarz@yahoo.com.
Roshanak
R
Keshavarz
D000328:Adult; D055052:Athletic Tape; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013848:Thigh / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061028:Trigger Points / Q000503:physiopathology
Kinesio tape; Myofascial trigger point; Physical therapy; Piriformis muscle