Effect of Biofreeze®, TheraBand® Kinesiology Tape, or the Combination of Products on Acute Low Back Pain, Disability, and Range of Motion

A convenience sample of 120 acute low back pain patients will be recruited from Sport and Spine Rehab at their initial appointment. Exclusionary criteria will include pregnancy, cancer, or a corticosteroid injection within the past 2 weeks. Additionally, anyone who has a history of low back surgery will be excluded. Patients will be recruited following their initial examination if they meet the inclusion criteria of reporting low back pain for less than 2 weeks and be >18 years of age. Patients will complete the informed consent, demographics information questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Roland-Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ). Following paper documents their lumbar range of motion and posture will be analyzed using the DorsaVi ViMove device [http://us.dorsavi.com/vimove/\] (T1). After completing T1, patients will then be randomized into 1 of 4 at-home pain management groups (n=30 per group), to be followed for one week. Group 1 (Biofreeze® + Tape), Group 2 (Tape Only), Group 3 (Biofreeze Only), and Group 4 (Advice Alone). Treatment at the first office visit will be standardized to include manipulation only; no in-office therapy will be provided to either group at the first visit. Upon returning for their 2nd (T2), and 3rd (T3) office visits, all patients will rate their pain (NPRS). At one week (T4) patients will complete the paper and pencil instruments from the first visit, which assess the subjects' pain on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), low back disability on the Roland-Morris Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and fear on the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ). Lumbar range of motion and posture will also be reassessed. In addition,, at home pain management compliance and pain medication will be documented on a daily basis for the entire week.