What Is Kinesiology Tape? Benefits, Uses, and How It Works
Does Kinesiotape Really do Anything?
Since it was initially sported by summer Olympians several years ago, K-tape has exploded in popularity. It can be seen in various colors and styles on individuals competing in high level athletic competitions, factory workers and pregnant women, all looking to improve their pain and function.
Why do people use kinesiotape?
Unlike most tapes, kinesiotape has a unique composition and weave that allows it to be both breathable and water resistant, allowing it to stay on the body for 3-5 days of effective use. Because of its unique design, kinesiotape use is highly variable for different medical concerns and activities.
Kinesiotape is theorized to offer structural support and gently lift the skin, separating the skin from the fascia underneath. Supporters of kinesiotape claim that the tape:
Decreases pain
Improves muscle tone
Decreases swelling
Delays fatigue
Distributes physical stress
Improves blood flow
Corrects poor posture
But scientific research on the benefits of kinesiotape is inconclusive. There are no consistent studies proving that kinesiotape is any more effective than the placebo effect. And there is variable anecdotal feedback to the tape: some people love it, some people feel it does nothing.
So is kinesiotape useful? It can be!
At FIXXED, we believe that kinesiotape can be a positive adjunct to treatment -- not the main focus of treatment itself but a useful complement. Plus, if you don’t have any allergies to the tape, then it can be a really helpful technique without any side-effects!
Swelling control
Kinesiotape is extremely effective for controlling swelling, whether from an acute injury or lymphedema. When applied in a spiderweb pattern, each individual finger of K-tape lifts and separates the skin from underlying fascial layers, improving blood flow and lymphatic drainage. When combined with active range of motion, light massage and elevation, K-tape can be extremely helpful for controlling swelling quickly.
Proprioceptive feedback
Proprioception, or the ability to sense where your body is in space, can be positively impacted by kinesiotape. The tape is not strong enough to pull you into position and hold you there, but the tactile feedback of tape on skin can be beneficial for improving postural awareness. It is especially useful when combined with soft tissue to loosen tight muscles and corrective exercise to improve muscle activation and body positioning.
Pain control
Similar to proprioceptive feedback, the tactile feel of the tape on skin can help reduce pain. This is related to the body's gate control system of pain, where touch and pressure on nerve signals, which travel on large, fast nerves, override pain signals, which travel on smaller, slower nerves. Although pain control does not fix the underlying problem, it can make other parts of a rehabilitation program, like exercise, more tolerable.
Prenatal Postural Awareness, Low Back pain and Round Ligament pain
Taping during pregnancy can help alleviate pain associated with postural changes that occur as the spine and pelvis shift to accommodate the growing baby. SI joint pain and round ligament pain are two common complaints we hear from our prenatal clients, and taping the belly or back can help provide lift, support and awareness to prevent compensation strategies that may be developing subconsciously as the weeks pass and baby grows. Less bulky and hot than a belly band, Ktape can be left on the skin to support the belly and spine for 5-7 days and can be worn during showers and baths. Unlike a belly band, it provides a slight lift and support for the belly while still promoting proper breathing and core engagement. Providing more support for the growing belly without restricting breath and movement can be a huge relief for pregnant mamas when running, walking or strength training!
Postpartum Diastasis Recti Healing
Diastasis Recti (DR) is the name for the separation of abdominal muscles that often occurs during or after pregnancy. Oftentimes, the abs will knit back together naturally as the body heals from pregnancy and delivery, but if the separation is wide and deep and lasts longer than 5-6 months postpartum, Ktape can be helpful to bring awareness to the core during postpartum rehab as well as reinforce proper breathing and core bracing techniques to new moms. Paired with DR-specific exercises and manual therapy, taping can help new moms connect back with their core as they build strength and stability around their spine and pelvis.
Kinesiotape itself is not a cure-all or a long term fix, but, when used appropriately as one piece of a comprehensive treatment program, it can assist with pain control and postural awareness, especially early in rehab where pain may be a large stumbling block for individuals to want to complete exercise.
Dealing with pain? At FIXXED, our expert clinicians use a targeted, multi-modal approach that combines soft tissue, exercise and therapeutic adjuncts -- like kinesiotape, to improve pain, restore muscle tone and encourage proper muscle activation to make movement more accessible for all our clients.
Ready to be pain free? Book your initial assessment today!
