Does Kinesio Tape Actually Work?

Believe it or not, I was a skeptic when Kinesio Tape first came on the scene in Physical Therapy. I asked the same questions that many of you are asking. How can putting tape on my neck help with pain? Does tape actually work?

Being curious, skeptical, and having a personality that likes to question everything, I set out to take a continuing education course on Kinesio Tape and its benefits and I am happy to share what I learned with you.

Pour a cup of coffee and get cozy because I am about to share a ton of information!

Kinesio Tape was developed in 1979! The actual Kinesio Tape® brand was the original wearable adhesive with elastic properties. Since then, many other brands have been developed with a similar concept.

I was surprised at the texture and feel of the tape when I first got my hands on it. Being in Physical Therapy for a few years at this point, I was used to using athletic tape that had a much more rigid feel to it. Kinesio Tape caught my attention right away for its fabric like quality and the elasticity of the tape. And, I’m not going to lie to you… the tape colors were so pretty and fun!

So yes, aesthetically I found the tape appealing but I was not convinced putting a pretty pink strip of tape over an area of pain was going to do anything.

As the class continued I learned about the benefits of tape, potential risks, and when tape is appropriate (and when it is not). I also learned that there was a TON of uses for the tape.

Did you know that Kinesio Tape can be used to help facilitate a muscle (in layman’s terms that just mean it basically gets your muscle to do its job!)? It can also be used to help inhibit (or shut off) an overactive muscle. But WAIT there’s more! How about I just list the benefits out for you!

Benefits of Kinesio Tape

• Facilitate a muscle (help it to do its job)

• Inhibit a muscle (shut off an overactive muscle)

• Decrease swelling

• Reduce trigger points

• Accelerate recovery from bruising and contusions (often seen after surgeries)

• Provide support and stability to muscles and joints

• Increase blood flow and help with the flow of lymphatic fluid

• Does NOT restrict range of motion when applied

So at this point in the course, my interest is peaked. And maybe by this point in the article, so is yours! Those are pretty incredible benefits backed by years of trial, and personal testimony. But that leads us to our next question… HOW does it work?

The science behind Kinesio Tape

As mentioned earlier in the article, Kinesio Tape is elastic which allows the tape to stretch and recoil. These features, when placed on the skin, help to lift layers of the skin and fascia. Depending on how the tape is applied, this “lift” on the skin and underlying tissues minimizes the pressure on our tissues and “opens” up the tissues to allow for better lymphatic flow. Lymphatic fluid helps to transport white blood cells and waste products needed to help with tissue healing and recovery.

MIND. BLOWN.

As I continued to learn more about the tape, I was becoming less skeptical. It was all beginning to make sense. Now it was time to get hands on with the tape and really begin to understand why the application (how to apply the tape) is so important as well as what conditions or injuries Kinesio Tape is appropriate for.

Conditions that Kinesio Tape may be helpful for:

• Headaches

• Shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and wrist pain

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Back pain or SI (sacroiliac) joint pain

• Bruising

• Scar tissue management

• Myofascial restrictions

• Swelling

• THE LIST GOES ON!

The many conditions that Kinesio Tape could help seemed endless and I was happy to learn that there a very few risks associated with using tape. Let’s take a minute to chat about when tape should not be used.

Do not use Kinesio Tape if you:

• have a blood clot (DVT)

• are showing signs of infection

• are sensitive to adhesives

• have open wounds or skin rashes

• diminished sensation

• active cancer

• have not yet consulted your physical therapist

Talk your physical therapist before applying Kinesio Tape. Not only is proper application important to get the results you are looking for, but there are instances where kinesio tape may not be appropriate or possibly even harmful.

Let’s recap for a quick second, we talked about the benefits, and the science. We covered what conditions it can help as well as discussed when not to use Kinesio Tape. We have yet to cover a few important tidbits.

It was interesting to learn that Kinesio Tape can last 3-5 days. You can take a shower, get it wet, and still move freely with the tape applied. It is advised that when you remove the tape, you do not rip it off like a band aid but instead slowly roll the tape off. You can also use an oil based product to help remove the tape. After removing the tape, you should allow the skin to breathe for 24 hours before reapplying.

Needless to say, by the end of the course I was excited to put what I had learned in to clinical practice. I was no longer a skeptic. I was excited to now have a new tool in my tool box that could provide help and relief to my patients. Over the last few years, I have found that kinesio tape in conjunction with a proper physical therapy plan of care and stellar home exercise program is effective for helping many people reach their goals and get the relief they are looking for.

If you are experiencing pain or think kinesio tape might help your condition, gives us a call at Shift Physical Therapy and Wellness. We would be happy to provide you with a free consultation to determine the best plan for you.

Phone: (763) 645 - 1113
Email: info@shiftptwell.com
Free Consultation

Written by: Jackie Giese, Physical Therapist Assistant