Physical therapists sometimes use kinesiology taping as one part of an overall treatment plan for people whove been injured. Because K-Tape is much stronger than a regular band-aid, it is a little trickier to remove. (2017). Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point.kinesiotaping.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Chao-Lin-2016.pdf. How Can You Safely Remove Steri-Strips After Surgery? So who should avoid using kinesiology tape? (2017). It can help facilitate proper muscular contractions, and it is sometimes used to decrease pain and muscle spasm. It can also be very effective in treating sleep apnea. Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point. Learn how to safely try, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. After the tape has formed a strong bond, it can be difficult to remove. After you apply the tape, rub the strip vigorously for several seconds. "Short-term effects of cervical kinesio taping on pain and cervical range of motion in patients with acute whiplash injury: a randomized, controlled trial." For many people, using kinesiotape is perfectly fine. Effects of Kinesio Taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A meta-analysis in clinical trials. Dont get frustrated and try to rip the K-Tape off like a band-aid. 2018;34(5):337-345. doi:+10.1080/09593985.2017.1419522, Banerjee G, Rose A, Briggs M, Johnson MI. (2017). Investigating the effectiveness of kinesio taping space correction method in healthy adults on patellofemoral joint and subcutaneous space. http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2015/2/20/TapingSystematicReview/, We use kinesiology taping to mitigate pain and swelling, Schooley says, but its always used as an adjunct to what were trying to accomplish.. Kinesiology tape may also be used to decrease lymphedema and localized swelling.. A meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of kinesiology taping in the management of cancer-related lymphoedema. Last medically reviewed on March 20, 2019. Rather than spraying fabrics with copper, we infuse it directly into the nylon fibers. Schedule an in-clinic or virtual appointment. When the area is decompressed, pain receptors send a new signal to the brain, and tension in the trigger point decreases. Before using it, you should talk to a physical therapist, because its most useful when combined with other treatment methods. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702841/. (2017). When the tape is applied to your body, it recoils slightly, gently lifting your skin. Physical therapists think this may be because having the strange sensation of tape on your skin can make you more aware of how youre standing or moving. Walk your fingers along your skin as you go. Heres our process. For solid adhesion, rub vigorously for 10 seconds or more or use a hairdryer for additional heat. Kinesiology tape is a relatively new treatment now being used in many physical therapy clinics. (2017). Some athletes use kinesiology taping to help them achieve peak performance and protect against injury when theyre competing in special events. A lot of runners use this tape every time they run a marathon, Schooley says. If you have patellofemoral stress syndrome, IT band friction syndrome, or Achilles tendonitis, kinesiology taping might help you. Although the effectiveness of kinesiology taping is not well researched, it may provide support, increase circulation, reduce pain, and improve the way your joints and muscles work. 2005-2022 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. When you apply the first tab to anchor the strip, let the end recoil slightly after you take off the backing paper. Kinesiology taping is a newer type of treatment for patients in physical therapy, and therefore the research surrounding its use is not rigorously examined. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Click hereto schedule your complimentary VIP Chat today! We include products we think are useful for our readers. Effects of kinesio taping and exercise on forward head posture. Physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) share some similarities, but there are also key differences. If you stretch the ends, the tape will pull your skin, which could cause irritation or make the tape detach sooner. Investigating the effectiveness of kinesio taping space correction method in healthy adults on patellofemoral joint and subcutaneous space. Treatment of myofascial pain in the shoulder with Kinesio Taping. Trim excess hair. To get a 75 percent stretch, extend the tape as far as it will go and then release it about a quarter of its length. If injuries or unaddressed pain is putting your life on hold, chat with a provider today at no cost. Sung Y-B, et al. Heres what we know about how physical and sports therapists use it, its benefits, tips and what to know. We go over how to tape a knee for stability, support, and pain relief, with techniques that use kinesiology tape as well as rigid sports tapes. Dr. Megann Schooley, board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and certified strength and conditioning specialist, explains it this way: All of your tissues skin, connective tissue, fascia, muscles contain sensory receptors that feel pain, temperature, and touch. In fact, some studies show that it can enhance movement and endurance. "The effect of Kinesio Tape on lower extremity functional movement screen scores" IJES, 5(3) 2012. Compress your skin gently while pulling the tape back in the direction of the end tab. Kinesiology tape modestly increases skin blood flow regardless of tape application technique. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Some people believe that applying pressure to the bodys pressure points, I'm a physical therapist who specializes in women's health and postpartum recovery. Many different musculoskeletal conditions can be treated using kinesiology tape. DOI: Chao YW, et al. All rights reserved. Average Allow the skin to completely dry. JOSPT 39(7), 2009. For example, kinesiology taping can be used to correct posture in your head and neck.Shih HS, et al. Tape can be applied in an X, Y, I, or fan pattern, depending on your goals. Ahn IK, et al. Guaranteed. Studies on athletes have shown that when kinesiology tape is used on fatigued muscles, performance improves. The tape provides support to joints but still allows for motion to occur. When you stretch the tape, use the whole length of your thumb across the tape to get an even stretch. Although there are few studies to confirm this effect, anecdotally some people report that when theyve removed tape from bruised body parts, the areas under the tape were a different color than the un-taped areas. Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy. You can exercise while wearing the tape without any problems. (2017). Kinesiology taping reduces lymphedema of the upper extremity in women after breast cancer treatment: a pilot study. Trigger points are a good example. (2015). You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Start by removing the backing paper from the center.Do not touch the adhesive part of the tape, keep your fingers on backing paper instead. Some studies indicate no difference in outcomes between kinesiology tape and placebos or sham taping.. Schooley advises buying in bulk and sharing with other folks in your running club or gym. So what are some reasons to avoidkinesiology tape? Investigation of the efficacy of different physiotherapy methods for neck pain. If youre wearing the tape longer than a few days, it may begin loosening on its own. The adhesive is heat sensitive, so your doctor will rub the tape to make sure it properly adheres to your skin. Lymphatic fluid is mostly water, but it also contains proteins, bacteria, and other chemicals. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Get in the shower and thoroughly wet the tape and lather the area with soap. Craighead DH, et al. Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on hypertrophic scars, keloids and scar contractures. This video has been medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD. Heat activates the glue. Today, there are more than 50 brands of kinesiology tape on the market, but the original product, Kinesio tape or Kinesio Tex Tape, was developed in the late 1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor who wanted a tape that provided support but didnt limit movement the way traditional athletic tapes do. DOI: Shih HS, et al. K-Tape is designed to stay on for an average of 3-4 days. When the brain receives a different signal, its going to respond differently, Schooley says. They can assess your progress and help adjust your recovery plan to keep you moving forward. A case report. You may need a brace, crutches, physical. Kinesiology tape modestly increases skin blood flow regardless of tape application technique.performancehealthresearch.com/article/1801 It may also improve circulation of lymphatic fluids. Effects of taping and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for stance phase duration of stroke patients. Effects of Kinesio Taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A meta-analysis in clinical trials. The following is a list of absolute contraindications to using kinesiology tape. The tapes medical-grade adhesive is also water-resistant and strong enough to stay on for three to five days, even while you work out or take showers. The most trusted brand for a reason! We can help you understand whats causing your pain and walk you through treatment options that suit your needs. Yes, it looks cool. Kasawara KT, Mapa JMR, Ferreira V, et al. (2017). The elastic quality of the K-Tape supports the muscles like a second skin, which helps the muscles contract back to the resting position. Consult your healthcare provider for more information about your diagnosis and why kinesiology tape is not right for you. After conducting a thorough evaluation and manual treatment of the injury, our providers often use K-Tape as a final step to help get you on the fast track to recovery. If you have any adverse reactions to the tape such as itching, allergic reaction, hyperpigmentation, or blistering, remove the tape immediately and let your provider know what happened at your next appointment. Study says therapeutic taping no better than other approaches to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, disability. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. These are techniques that are recommended by professional sports trainers and physical therapists. (2015). Your physical therapist may use it for your Achilles' tendinopathy, patellofemoral stress syndrome, or low back pain. (2018). Effects of Kinesio taping compared to arterio-venous Impulse System on limb swelling and skin temperature after total knee arthroplasty. If your skin is irritated or damaged, dont reapply tape. I always tell patients to tape with purpose, she says. Doing so will help minimize pain and reduce the likeliness of removing any hair. Healthcare professionals have been teaching patients for years how to apply kinesiology tape themselves. Here are some tips for getting the tape off without hurting your skin. Who should never use kinesiology tape? DOI: Kavlak, et al., (2012). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28282792 And a 2017 study supports using it to help stroke patients improve the way they walk.Sung Y-B, et al. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Windisch C, et al. Your therapist can let you know how much stretch to use in the treatment area. You should always consult with a physical therapist who is trained in the proper application of kinesiology tape before you try to put it on yourself. Could kinesiology taping help mitigate pain, breathlessness and abdominal-related symptoms in cancer?. You want to build your strength and skill, because correcting the root problem is key.. Malicka I, et al. Those receptors all contribute to proprioceptionyour brains sense of where your body is and what its doing. However, we do not recommend swimming with the K-Tape on because chemicals in pool water can deteriorate the adhesive and loosen the tape. Effects of 3 different elastic therapeutic taping methods on the subacromial joint space. In two recent studies, kinesiology tape reduced fluid buildup in women who underwent breast cancer treatment and people who had total knee replacements.Malicka I, et al. Touching the adhesive part will make it less sticky. Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. The rounded corners are less likely to get snagged against clothing; and helps to keep the tape on longer. KT Sport Tape By Tommie Copper Mentholated Healing & Relief, Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. Dont yank. The lymphatic system is the way your body regulates swelling and fluid buildup. BE IN THE KNOW, KEEP ACTIVE & LIVE PAIN FREE! JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Clean and dry the area first. Your physical therapist can show you alternatives to the tape that may be just as effective. Effects of 3 different elastic therapeutic taping methods on the subacromial joint space. Find bulk rolls and pre-cut strips of kinesiology tape online. Stretch the strip to the desired length and then release about 20% of the stretch before applying. Unlike white medical or athletic tape, kinesiology tape lets you move normally. (2016). Thats how confident we are that youll be happy with this purchase. If you ever have any questions regarding your K-Tape, dont hesitate to contact yourAirrosti Provider. Full adhesion usually takes around 20 minutes. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. The American Physical Therapy Association reports that kinesiology taping is most effective when its used in conjunction with other treatments like manual therapy.Study says therapeutic taping no better than other approaches to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, disability. Your physical therapist can watch you practice applying and removing the tape before you try it at home. You can still use kinesiology tape with certain relative contraindications, but your physical therapist should explain to you the risks associated with using tape with your specific condition. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. (2012). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28515980 A similar study showed kinesiology tape also increased the space in the shoulder joint.Lyman KJ, et al. While kinesiology tape is very versatile and has many different uses, it may not be for everyone. At Airrosti, we use Kinesiology Tape, or K-Tape, at the end of treatment. (2017). Relative contraindications are situations that make a particular treatment possibly dangerous if specific precautions are not taken. For most treatments, youll start by tearing the backing paper in the center. They include the following. Amazon.com Price:$11.99(as of 27/04/2021 07:11 PST- Details)Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. If you have any of these problems, you must avoid kinesiology tape. Keep your fingers on the packing paper to hold the tape. (2010). DOI: 10.5114/pm.2014.44997Deniz GH, et al. Trim or shave excess hair from the area to be applied. This can cause the KT Tape to detach and pull on the skin. Our products are constructed with 85% copper-infused nylon. (2016). We sometimes place the tape along the glute as a way of waking up the muscle and reminding it to keep working.. Remember the adage: first, do no harm. Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on hypertrophic scars, keloids and scar contractures. By slightly lifting the skin, the tape also allows increased lymphatic absorption of excess fluid which reduces bruising. (2014). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29191285 Even though the increase in space is slight, it helps reduce the chance of joint irritation. Kinesiology Sport Tape by Tommie Copper is the most therapeutic of its kind. Could kinesiology taping help mitigate pain, breathlessness and abdominal-related symptoms in cancer?