International Journal of Health Sciences and Research Vol.10; Issue: 7; July 2020 Website: www.ijhsr.org Original Research Article ISSN: 2249-9571 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.ijhsr.org) 144 Vol.10; Issue: 7; July 2020 Immediate Effect of Kinesiotaping v/s Passive Stretching on Levator Scapulae Muscle in Computer Users with Mechanical Neck Pain Kavya U Parekh 1 , Leena Zore 2 , Ajay Kumar 3 1 B.P.Th, 2 M.P.Th, Assistant Professor, 3 Principal, DPO’s Nett College of Physiotherapy, Kolshet Road, Opposite Everest World, Thane West. Corresponding Author: Kavya U Parekh ABSTRACT Background: Mechanical neck pain is frequently seen in computer users because of the neck in awkward occupational postures. Changes in alignment of either the scapulae or cervical spine can potentially influence the biomechanics by altering the tension at cervicoscapular muscles (levator scapulae) leading to tightness. Kinesiotaping is found to be Effective in: decreasing pain and muscular spasm & increasing range of motion (ROM). Stretching involves the application of manual or mechanical force to elongate structures that have adaptively shortened. Objective: To compare immediate effect of both kinesiotaping and passive stretching of levator scapulae muscle in computer users with mechanical neck pain. Method: 30 subjects having levator scapulae tightness of age group 25 to 35 years were selected. They were randomly allocated into 2 groups of 15 each. Group A received Kinesiotaping and Group B received Passive stretching for the levator scapulae muscles. Pre and post intervention of neck rotation range of motion and NRS scores were analysed. Result: Results showed that there is a increase in range of motion and a significant reduction in pain scores post kinesiotaping and passive stretching in both the groups (p<0.0001). However, intergroup analysis showed that Group A is much more effective in improving the range of motion and reducing pain. Conclusion: The present study concluded that kinesiotaping is a better intervention for releasing tight levator scapulae as it shows significant reduction in pain. Considering effect on cervical rotation range of motion, both kinesiotaping and passive stretching have similar effects, there was no such statistically significant difference seen. Keywords: Kinesiotaping, Passive stretching, Computer users, Levator scapulae, Mechanical neck pain INTRODUCTION Musculoskeletal complaints and pain located in the neck region are commonly reported among computer users. [1] Poor postural habits and neck pain are increasingly common among individuals who work predominately on computer. [2] More than 50% of computer users report musculoskeletal symptoms during the first year after starting a new job. [8] MECHANICAL NECK PAIN: Neck pain without associated trauma is diagnosed as mechanical neck pain chiefly due to poor posture. Mechanical neck pain is frequently seen in computer users because of the neck in awkward occupational postures. Changes in the alignment of either the scapulae or the cervical spine can potentially influence the biomechanics by altering the tension at cervicoscapular muscles (levator scapulae) leading to tightness. [2] Individuals with neck