Background: For patients with neck pain, a taping method has been used to promote thoracic spine extension. To induce thoracic spine extension without back pain, a neutral lumbo-pelvic position must be established. The spiral trunk taping method can induce a neutral lumbo-pelvic position and thoracic spine extension. Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of spiral trunk taping in inducing thoracic spine extension and neutral lumbo-pelvic position in patients with neck pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty patients with neck pain were randomly assigned to groups. The experimental group received spiral trunk taping and the control group received sham taping. The resting position visual analogue scale (VAS) and VAS during painful movement were measured and compared pre and post treatment. Results: Significant within-subjects changes were resting position VAS (F=59.823, P=0.001) and VAS during painful movement (F=76.128, P=0.001). Significant between-subject changes were resting position VAS (F=10.402, P=0.003) and VAS during painful movement (F=7.657, P=0.01). Conclusion: Spiral trunk taping, which can induce thoracic spine extension and a neutral lumbo-pelvic position, was effective for neck pain. This study demonstrates the potential of a systemic taping approach in the management of neck pain, and provides important clues for future clinical applications.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Interventions
    Outcome Measures
    Data and Statistical Analysis
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Yunghyun Jeon(Department of Physical Therapy, Gunpo Sanbon Tntnchuk Clinic, Gunpo, Republic of Korea)
• Shinjun Park(Department of Physical Therapy, Suwon Women’s University, Hwaseong, Republic of Korea)
• Kyunhee Cho(Department of Physical Rehabilitation, Suwon Women’s University, Suwon, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author