Physical Treatments - Specific Physical Therapy

en Comparison of the Immediate Effects of Upper Trapezius Trigger Point Release Technique with and without Kinesio taping Application on Pain Intensity and Cervical Range of Motion in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain آسیب شناسی ورزشی و حرکات اصلاحی Sport injury and corrective exercises پژوهشي Research <div style="text-align: justify;">Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of self-myofascial release (SMR) using a tennis ball, with or without Kinesio taping, on neck pain and cervical range of motion (ROM) in women with nonspecific chronic neck pain. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participants were allocated into three groups: SMR using a tennis ball (TE) (n=20), SMR combined with Kinesio taping (TEKE) (n=20), and a control group (n=20) with no intervention. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and cervical ROM was measured in multiple directions before and immediately after the intervention. Results: Both intervention groups (TE and TEKE) showed significant improvements in pain reduction and cervical ROM compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the TE and TEKE groups in either outcome, suggesting comparable effectiveness. These findings indicate that tennis ball-based SMR alone may be highly effective in managing neck pain and improving mobility. Conclusion: SMR with a tennis ball is an effective and low-cost intervention for reducing neck pain and increasing cervical ROM in women with nonspecific chronic neck pain. The addition of Kinesio taping did not yield additional benefits. This method offers a practical self-management strategy that can be easily implemented in both clinical and home settings. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its long-term application and broader clinical relevance.</div> Neck Pain, Myofascial Release, Kinesio Taping, Range of Motion, Musculoskeletal Manipulations 0 0 http://ptj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-724-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Vahid Mazloum Vahid.mazloum@yahoo.com 0000-0001-7524-3400 No Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Ka.C, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Ali Honarvar alihonarvar144@gmail.com 0009-0007-3109-5347 Yes Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises,Ka.C, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Masoume Matin mmatin.pt@gmail.com 0009-0008-5168-2220 No Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Shiva Mohajer Shiva.mohajer1995@gmail.com 0009-0002-7775-6095 No Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Ka.C, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran