Effects of Kinesio Taping in Protracted Shoulder Posture

Office workers generally adopt slumped sitting posture while working at desk for longer durations. Computer use has rapidly increased from past 30 years in various offices so that employees spend plenty of time using computers. Excessive increase in sustained sitting while using computers lead individuals to faulty postures, such as protracted shoulder posture. Changes in posture are related to modifications in muscular functions which alter position of joints and produce movement impairment.

Protracted shoulder/ forward head posture is one of the most prevalent faulty postures in upper quarter. This posture is associated with forwardly tilted, protracted, internally rotated, elevated and abducted position of scapula along with exaggerated cervical lordosis and upper thoracic spine kyphosis.

Muscle imbalance that occurs in this posture includes tightening of anterior shoulder muscles namely pectoralis minor and major, upper trapezius and serratus anterior and the muscles that become weak are posterior shoulder muscles, middle and lower trapezius and rhomboids. This uncoordinated muscle work causes change in scapular kinematics and orientation of glenohumeral complex that further leads to pain in neck, shoulder and arms. The scapulohumeral rhythm disturbs due to the forward shifting of shoulder joint.

Length of pectoralis minor and inadequate strength of lower trapezius are considered to be the vital muscular elements causing protracted shoulder posture in literature review. Tightening of the pectoralis minor is one of the significant feature to cause this posture. This muscle is found to be required for lengthening in individuals having protracted shoulder posture. 78% of variance in this posture was accounted by pectoralis minor muscle.

Protracted shoulder posture is a multifactorial condition and have several treatment protocols including exercises that involves lengthening of hyperactive muscles, strengthening of weak muscles, scapular posterior tilting exercises, massage, bracing or taping, postural correction and soft tissue mobilization.

Kinesio taping is a widely used technique that have ability to stretch longitudinally up to 140-150% of its actual length and was manufactured to replicate the skeletal muscle's elasticity. Depending on direction of pull and percentage of stretch during its application, it provides several benefits i.e it facilitates or inhibit range of motion, gives positional stimulus, produces further space by lifting skin, soft tissues and fascia, provides proper alignment of fascial tissues, decreases pain and edema. The technique which is utilized by clinicians in order to inhibit or facilitate muscles is mechanical correction.

There was limited use of this technique in our society especially for faulty postures and lack of postural awareness in our settings. Current study was planned to examine the effect of Kinesio tape on protracted shoulders.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects having bilateral protracted shoulder posture
• Work for at least 7 hours/day, 5 days/week, in a seated position

Exclusion criteria

• History of serious pathology (e.g., malignancy, inflammatory disorder, infection)
• History of cervical and thoracic spine and shoulder surgery in previous12 months
• History of trauma or fractures in cervical and thoracic spine
• Any spinal deformities such as Sprengel's deformity, scoliosis, kyphosis etc.
• Diagnosis of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression
• Cervical and thoracic spondylolisthesis, radiculopathy and spinal stenosis
• Severe skin allergy