Kinesio Tape: Its Benefits in Physiotherapy

September 14, 2022

Do you know that you can find more than 50 brands of kinesiology tape in the market today? But the original product, Kinesio tape or Kinesio Tex Tape, was developed way back in the 1970s – by Dr. Kenzo Kase. A Japanese chiropractor was looking for a tape that provided support and did not limit movement the way most traditional athletic tapes do.

If you have watched a competitive bicycle race or volleyball match, you probably may have seen it. These strips of colorful tape are spread out in patterns across the athletes’ shoulders, knees, backs, and abs.

Those are kinesiology tapes. A therapeutic tape is applied strategically to your body to provide support. Moreover, these tapes reduce swelling, lessen pain, and even improve performance. Enthusiasts report the success story of most of these tapes used in physiotherapy treatment. But there needs to be more research was done that could clarify what exactly kinesiology taping can and cannot do.

Here we discuss how physical and sports therapists use it, its benefits, some tips, and what you should know about these tapes.

What is Kinesio Tape or Kinesiology Taping Therapy?

These are elastic therapeutic tapes, often called kinesiology, kinesio, or even K-tape. It is a rehabilitative method that can facilitate your body’s natural healing process.

These tapes generally provide support and stability to your muscles and joints without restricting your body’s range of motion. The tape is used extensively by physiotherapists to change muscle tone, correct movement patterns, move lymphatic fluids, and also improve posture.

K-tape is actually a therapeutic tape that is applied to your body. It helps reduce swelling, pain relief, and improve functionality. The process involves placing strips of kinesio tape on your body. Your specialist will place tapes in specific directions for therapeutic purposes.

How Does Kinesio Tape or Kinesiology Taping Work?

Kinesiology tapes are water-resistant adhesive, stretchable ones usually made of nylon and cotton. You can imagine it like an elastic-like skin that will allow you a full range of motion.

When you apply the tape, it will lift your skin gently by recoiling. This process helps create a microscopic space between your skin and the tissues underneath.

The tissues under your skin contain sensory receptors that respond to feel, light touch, pain, and temp. They are also responsible for sensing proprioception.

Kinesio tape will help in decompressing these tissues. The tape will send new signals to your brain. When your brain receives these signals, it will respond differently.

Kinesio tapes are a blend of nylon and cotton. The tape design will mimic your skin’s elasticity allowing you to use your entire range of motion. Note that the tape’s medical-grade adhesive design is such that it will stick onto your skin firmly as it is water-resistant. The tape is also strong enough to stick on even for five days. It will stick on even while you work out or take showers.

1 Kinesio Tape Creates Space in Joints

One small study showed that applying Kinesio tape over the knee often increases the space between the knee joint. Another similar study proved that Kinesio tape could increase the space in the shoulder joint. All these studies state that even though the increase in area is very little – it helps reduce your chances of joint irritation.

2 Kinesio Tape Change Signals on Pain Pathways

Some physical therapists also believe that the tape can change the information your sensory nervous system sends about pain and compression in different body parts.

But Dr. Megann Schooley, a board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy – has a different explanation. All of your tissues, like your connective tissue, skin, fascia, and muscles, contain sensory receptors – that is why you feel pain, touch, and temperature. Those receptors contribute to proprioception, which is your brain’s sense of where your body is and what it is doing.

It is also important to note that the Kinesio taping creates a lift of your skin that can unload these underlying tissues. These decompressed tissues change the signals going to your brain. When your brain receives different movements, it will respond differently.

Trigger points are a good example. Physical therapists use Kinesio tapes to lift your skin over these knotted, tensed muscles. When your treated area decompresses, your pain receptors will send a new signal to your brain – as a result, the tension in the trigger point will decrease.

3 Kinesio Tape Improve Circulation of Blood and Fluids

If injured, Kinesio tape can help improve circulation in the area and reduce swelling. According to a 2017 study, the tape can improve blood flow in your skin. It can also improve the circulation of lymphatic fluids.

Lymphatic fluid is significant water, but it also may also contain other substances like bacteria, proteins, and other chemicals. Remember that the lymphatic system is solely responsible for regulating fluid and swelling buildup in your body.

The theory behind – when your specialist applies the Kinesio tape, it creates extra subcutaneous space. This changes the pressure gradient in the area underneath your skin. That change in pressure enhances the lymphatic drainage around the area. By changing the flow of lymphatic fluid, your bruises can heal faster.

What is Kinesio Tape Used For?

1 Treating injuries

Your physical therapists may sometimes use kinesiology tape as part of an overall treatment plan, significantly if you are injured. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, Kinesio tape is most effective when combined with other treatments like manual therapy.

2 Supporting weak zones

You can also use the tape to support your joints and muscles that need it. If you have IT band friction syndrome, Achilles tendonitis, or patellofemoral stress syndrome – Kinesio tape may be great help.

Unlike athletic tape, kinesiology tape will let you move normally. Studies show that it can even enhance your movement and endurance. According to studies conducted by athletes, kinesiology tape significantly improved fatigued muscles’ performance.

3 Enhancing performance

Interestingly, some athletes use kinesiology taping to help them achieve peak performance. The tape also helps them protect against injury when they compete in mega-events.

Interestingly, even runners use this tape extensively every time they run a marathon. They even place the tape along the glute to ‘wake up’ the muscle and remind it to keep working.

4 Re-educating muscles

Your doctor can use the tape to help retrain muscles that have lost function. Or even those muscles that have gotten used to an unhealthy way of working. The kinesio taping method could also correct posture in your neck and head. According to a 2017 study, the tape can help stroke patients improve the way they walk.

Physical therapists believe that the main reason is – the strange sensation of the tape on your skin can make you more aware of how you are standing or moving.

5 Managing scars

Never use the tape on an open wound. Some scientific evidence suggests that the tape used in physiotherapy can improve your long-term appearance of scars too. It is most effective when you use it after injury or surgery. You should discuss this treatment plan with your doctor or specialist.

Types of Kinesio Tape

You can apply K-Tape in the shape of an “X”,”Y”, “I”, “Web”, “Fan”, or “Donut”. Depending upon the size and shape of the affected muscle and the result to be achieved – you can decide the shape of the tape.

“Y” Tape

“Y” Tape application is generally used to

The tape should be 2 inches longer than your target muscle.
It should surround your target muscle.
It facilitates muscle stimuli.

“I” Tape

“I” Tape application is often used for

Edema and pain
When you have acute injuries, then use “Y” tape.
You can use it for alignment corrections.

“X” Tape

“X” Tape application is used when the target muscle’s origin and intersection change, especially when it depends on the movement, for example, the Rhomboids.

“Fan” /”web” Tape

“Fan” /”web” tape application is used for Edema. Note that the Web is different because the ends remain intact.

“Donut” Tape

“Donut” tape is used for Edema. You should use overlapping strips, and the center is cut out over the area of focus.

When Not to Use Kinesio Tape

There are some scenarios when the tape should not be used. They include.

Diabetes. If some areas in your body have reduced sensation, then avoid using the tape. The reason being you may not notice a reaction to the tape.
Open wounds. If you use tape over open wounds, it could lead to infection or even skin damage.
Deep vein thrombosis. If you have increased fluid flow, the tape could cause a blood clot to move. Which could prove fatal.
Allergy. In case your skin is sensitive to adhesives, it may trigger a strong reaction.
Active cancer. Increased blood supply to cancerous growth could prove to be dangerous.
Lymph node removal. Increasing fluid where a node is missing could cause swelling.
Fragile skin. If your skin is prone to tearing, you should avoid putting the tape on your skin.

How to Apply Kinesio Tape?

To apply, follow these simple steps:

First dry and clean the area, as lotions and oils often prevent the tape from sticking.
Trim away excess hair in the area. Note that fine hair should be fine, but dense hair may keep the tape from getting a good grip.
For most treatments, your specialist will start by tearing the backing paper in the center.
You can cut rounded corners at the ends of each strip. The rounded corners will not get snagged against clothing, thus helping to keep the tape on for a long.
Keep your fingers on the packing paper – to hold the tape instead of the adhesive part.
When you apply the first tab, let the end recoil slightly once you take off the backing paper. There should not be any stretch in the last two inches at both ends. Note that if you stretch the ends, the tape, in turn, will pull your skin – which could irritate your skin.
Your therapist could be the right person to say how much stretch to use during the treatment area.
After you apply the tape, vigorously rub the strip. The heat generated will activate the glue. Remember that the full adhesion will take about 20 minutes.

What is Kinesio Tape or Kinesiology Taping Therapy?