An Analysis of Kinesio® Tape on Myofascial Pain Syndrome of the Iliotibial Band

Participants will report for two research sessions. Prior to arrival, membership to a club sports team will be confirmed via email. The first session will require one hour, while the second will require 30 minutes. Maximum amount of time expected is one and a half hours, over two sessions in 48 hours. The 1st and 2nd sessions will be separated by 48 hours. Upon arrival for session 1, informed consent will be obtained along with the following demographic information: age, sex, height, weight, dominant leg, and sport. Next, the participant will complete the Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (MQ) in regard to the last 12 months. Participants will then be assessed for trigger points in their dominant side iliotibial band via palpation. Diagnostic criteria for trigger point will be modeled after Travell and Simons: taut band, pain upon palpation, referred pain, and a local twitch response. Up to four trigger points will be marked on the subject's skin with marker or pen. Pain pressure threshold will be obtained via algometer, using the terminology "Tell me the first moment you experience pain by verbalizing 'pain' ". Then, three pain pressure threshold readings will be taken per trigger point and then averaged by the researcher. Kinesiology tape will then be applied to the identified trigger points using the Fascial Technique. Pain pressure threshold will be obtained again with the same protocols 10 minutes after the tape is applied. The participant will be asked to wear the tape for 48 hours. Upon arrival for session 2, the application of the tape will be confirmed. With the participant's choice to continue in the study, a third and fourth measurement of pain pressure threshold will be obtained: one with the tape remaining on, and another 10 minutes after removal of the tape. Again, three pain pressure threshold readings will be taken per trigger point and then averaged by the researcher.