Retraction Exercises Versus K-taping in Subjects with Protracted Shoulders

Kinesiology taping, a therapy that involves the use of elastic tape is now being increasingly used to treat a variety of neuromuscular, orthopaedic and sports related conditions. Kinesiology Taping improves lymph circulation and relieves pain. Kinesiology tape stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptor and provides continuous feedback for the patient about his or her posture. It is an effective therapeutic tool to unload the fascia and assist in relief of chronic pain. 

K-Tape is designed to lift the skin and allow the tissue to move freely, it relieves pain and gives proprioceptive feedback for maintain the correct posture. The functional effects of kinesio taping may be explained by two main mechanisms: a lifting effect provides increased blood and lymphatic fluid circulation in the taped area, which creates a wider space between the skin, the muscle and interstitial space. 

An additional theory is that kinesio taping may apply continual stretching of the skin within the taped area, and this external activation of cutaneousMechanoreceptors. The indications for K-Tape are: neuromuscular re-education, inflammation and swelling reduction and promoting circulation.The retraction exercises include cervical retraction exercises, scapular retraction exercises, chin tucks, wall washes and pectorals and trapezius stretch. Each exercise will be performed as three sets of 10 repetitions, each twice a week for 2 weeks. Retraction exercises has two main benefits. First, it regularly reduce the adverse loads on joints induced by poor scapular postures. Second, it trains the deep postural stabilizing muscles of the spine in their supporting role. Performing these exercises repeatedly develop a change in postural habits. Moreover, preliminary studies demonstrated that strengthening of the posterior scapular stabilizers combined with stretching of the pectoralmuscles given over a period of six weeks can result in improvedmuscle strength, produce amore erect upper trunkposture, increase scapular stability, and alter scapulohumeral rhythm in healthy subjects. 

Postural correction interventions are most frequently based on anatomic reasoning, and judgments of impact are usually based on symptom reduction. The purpose of present study is to determine and compare retraction exercises Versus K-Taping in subjects with protracted shoulder.

The aim of the study was to find K-Taping Versus retraction exercises in subjects with protracted shoulders. The objective of the study were to find the effectiveness of K-Taping in subjects with protracted shoulders, to find effectiveness of Retraction exercises in subjects with protracted shoulders, to compare effectiveness of K-Taping Versus retraction exercises in subjects with protracted shoulders.

Posture is attained as a result of coordinated action of various muscles working to maintain stability. Muscular and Skeletal structures can change into an incorrect shape due to a reduction in physical activity and inappropriate posture habits in daily living.One of the major factors contributing to protracted shoulder is the tightening and shortening of pectoralis minor muscle. The present study investigates the comparison between retraction exercises and K-taping in subjects with Protracted shoulders. Results found in the study disclosed that after 4 week treatment program, both the groups – Group A and Group B attained a significant improvement in muscle length and reduction in measurement in protraction shoulders.

Group A received Kinesiology Taping. Pre-intervention, immediate after taping, After completion of 2 weeks and Sustained after 10 days values of Protracted shoulders and Pectoralis Minor Muscle Length were measured. Group B received Retraction exercises. Pre, Immediate after retraction exercises, after completion of 2 weeks and Sustained after 10 days values of Protracted shoulders and Pectoralis Minor Muscle Length were measurement. 

Comparison between Group A and Group B was done using t-test, using supine measurement of protracted shoulder and pectoralis minor muscle length as outcome measure. Results indicated that K-Taping is effective for protracted shoulders. 

As a conclusion, the reason for this change could be K-Taping has both mechanical and proprioceptive effect. The mechanism for effect f k-Taping on proprioception is based on cutaneous input. For the purpose of mechanical correction, K-Taping is applied in such a way that there is minimal or no tension when body is at desired position but the tension will increase if the body moves outside of this position. Therefore, this can make the subject aware to correct movement pattern or body part position by providing appropriate stimulus. Over time and with enough repetition and feedback these patterns become learned in motor program. Thus, K-Taping is considered as an effective cutaneous proprioceptive biofeedback. Hence, K-Taping is more effective than Retraction exercises in Protracted shoulder posture.