EFFECTS OF KINESIO TAPING AND EXERCISES IN FORWARD HEAD POSTURE ADULTS WITH TRIGGER POINTS IN RHOMBOIDS:AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

Myofascial trigger points are common from repetitive movements, faulty posture, and excessive muscle use. Forward Head Posture, being faulty posture leads to neck pain, upper back discomfort and muscle imbalance. Literature states that myofascial trigger point has very high rate of prevalence that is 45.5% in rhomboid muscles in individuals with upper back discomfort. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of kinesio taping and exercises in forward head posture adults with trigger points in rhomboids. 168 individuals were screened for forward head posture by Craniovertebral angle and trigger points in rhomboids. 70 participants were included in the study according to the inclusion & exclusion criteria and divided into 2 groups, Group A (n=35) & Group B (n=35). Group A received posture correction exercises and Group B received kinesio taping along with posture correction exercises. The exercises and kinesio taping application was done twice a week for 2 weeks (4 sessions). Pretreatment and post-treatment assessment was done using numeric pain rating scale and pressure algometer. Within group comparison for pre and post treatment measurements was done by paired t test and comparison between 2 groups was done by unpaired t test. Statistical analysis showed that both groups showed statistically signicant improvement in pain and pressure pain threshold post intervention. But inter group comparison did not show signicant difference in pain and pressure pain threshold with p > 0.05. Hence, current study concludes that both the techniques are equally effective in reducing pain and pressure pain threshold in forward head posture adults with trigger points of rhomboids.