Background/Aims: Chronic low back dysfunction is a serious health problem affecting people at some time in their life; it impedes the mobility of the lumbar spine and adjacent joints leading to functional disabilities. Muscle Energy Techniques aim to normalise soft tissue structures, such as shortened or tight muscles, with no direct implication to the joint associated with these soft tissues. Kinesio taping supports damaged structures without restriction of mobility and at the same time may influence some of the mechanisms associated with muscle fatigue, such as blood flow and proprioception. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Muscle Energy Techniques and kinesio taping on pain level and spinal mobility in patients with chronic low back dysfunction. Methods: A total of 90 patients with chronic low back dysfunction were selected. All participants were randomly allocated into three groups; group A received cross (X) technique kinesio taping and conventional therapy, Group B received cross (X) technique kinesio taping, Muscle Energy Techniques and conventional therapy, Group C received Muscle Energy Techniques and conventional therapy. A visual analogue scale for pain severity and inclinometer for trunk range of motion were used to measure the results. Results: Results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the post-treatment measurements of the three groups. Conclusions: A combination between Muscle Energy Techniques and kinesio taping with conventional therapy appears to improve pain and trunk range of motion in patients with chronic low back dysfunction.

Background: Mechanical neck dysfunction (MND) is a common disorder prevailing among the individuals of different populations. It is characterized by pain and limited range of motion (ROM) which, in turn, affects the activities of daily living and quality of life. Although manual therapy is commonly used in MND treatment to restore a range of motion and reduce pain, some techniques have low evidence in treating MND. Aim: This study was conducted to compare the effect of sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs) with positional release therapy (PRT) on cervical ROM, pain intensity, and functional disability in patients with chronic mechanical neck dysfunction. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients from both genders, where they were divided randomly into three groups. Group A received conventional physical therapy, group B received conventional therapy in addition to SNAGs, and group C received conventional therapy plus PRT three times per week for eight weeks. The universal goniometer was used to measure cervical ROM, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) was used to measure pain intensity, and neck disability index was used to measure cervical function disability at two intervals, pretreatment and post-treatment. Results:The results showed significant difference in the cervical ROM, NPRS, and NDI between the three groups (p < 0.001) in favor of the group B. Conclusion: SNAGs with conventional physical therapy have been proven to be effective method in treating patients with chronic mechanical neck dysfunction patients.