The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Pain and Disability in Pregnancy-Related Low Back Pain

Kinesio tape (KT) application is a physiotherapy method whose use has increased in recent years in the treatment of chronic pain. Kinesio tape, an alternative method to support fascia, muscles and joints, Dr. Developed by Kenzo Kase. Although the therapeutic effects of the KT method are still unclear, the putative therapeutic effects include facilitating muscle activity, providing sensory stimuli to the skin, muscles or facial structures, and regulating joint range of motion (ROM) . KT method increases blood and lymph circulation by lifting the skin, and prevents pain by reducing nociceptive stimuli . KT has been administered to pregnancy to improve low back pain. In addition to publications showing that KT can reduce pregnancy-related low back pain, there are studies showing that it has no effect compared to the control group . The aim of this study is to examine the effect of 8 sessions of KT applied in addition to 4-week core stabilization exercises on pain and quality of life in pregnant women with pregnancy-related low back pain.

Inclusion criteria

• Maternal age between 18 and 40 years, any birth,
• gestational age between 13 and 30 weeks,
• low back pain anywhere from T12 to gluteal fold without leg pain and at least moderate pain intensity (VAS ≥ 4).

Exclusion criteria

• Known or suspected orthopedic or rheumatological disorders such as scoliosis,
• spinal injuries,
• ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis;
• intervertebral disc pathology;
• a history of low back pain before pregnancy;
• twin pregnancy or fetal anomaly; and any uncontrolled medical conditions