Participants were informed that they would receive one of two different forms of Kinesio Taping application, but were blinded to the study hypotheses (ie, convolutions versus sham taping). Due to the nature of the interventions it was not be possible to blind the therapists. People presenting with low back pain of at least three months’ duration, aged between 18 and 80 years, of either gender, who were seeking treatment Trichostatin A concentration for low back pain were included in this study. People with any contraindication to physical exercise, according to the guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine,20 were excluded from the study, including: serious spinal pathology, nerve root compromise, serious cardiopulmonary

conditions, pregnancy or any contraindications to the use of taping (such as skin allergy). Three physiotherapists, who were not involved in the initial assessments, treated the participants. The physiotherapists were extensively trained

to deliver the Kinesio Taping intervention by two certified Kinesio Taping Method practitioners. These practitioners audited the interventions over the course of the study. The trial was conducted in two outpatient physiotherapy clinics in the cities of São Paulo and Campo Limpo Paulista, Brazil. For people with low back pain, the tape can be placed parallel to the spine or in an asterisk pattern.14 In both groups in this study, selleckchem the tape was placed bilaterally over the erector spinae muscles, parallel to the spinous processes of the lumbar vertebrae, starting near the posterior superior iliac crest.14 and 19 Participants in the experimental group were taped according to the Kenzo Kase’s Kinesio Taping Method Manual,14 and 19 as presented in Figure 1. This involved the application of an I-shaped piece of Kinesio Tapea over each erector spinae muscle with 10 to 15% of tension (paper-off tension) with the treated muscles in a stretched position, thus creating convolutions in the skin when the patient returned to the upright

position in neutral. Participants in the control group received the same taping but without tension, GPX6 as presented in Figure 2. The tape was first anchored close to the posterior superior iliac crest without traction (ie, 0% tension). Then the patient was asked to remain in the standing position and tape was applied over each erector spinae muscle to the level of the T8 vertebra. In this technique, the therapist completely removed the backing paper of the tape in order to remove the tension from the tape. Participants in each group were asked if the tape was limiting lumbar movement and, if so, the tape was reapplied so that they had unrestricted range of motion. Participants were advised to leave the tape in situ for two consecutive days and then to remove the tape, clean the skin and treat the skin with a moisturising lotion.