Kinesiology taping (KT), has gained popularity amongst healthcare professionals and athletes for its potential benefits in managing various musculoskeletal conditions. Colourful, stretchy adhesive tape is applied to the skin in various patterns to help support and stabilize muscles and joints but without restricting their range of motion. This article explores the scientific evidence surrounding the benefits and effects of kinesiology taping.

Pain Reduction

One of the primary benefits of kinesiology taping is its ability to help reduce pain in various musculoskeletal conditions. KT is thought to work by stimulating the sensory receptors in the skin, which can alter pain signals sent to the brain. This sensory feedback may decrease pain perception, offering relief to individuals suffering from conditions such as tendinopathies, sprains, and strains.

Research in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (2013) found that KT was beneficial in reducing pain and improving functionality in individuals with conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome and rotator cuff injuries.

Mostafavifar et al 2015 was a systematic review that reviewed 6 suitable studies. Two studies examined musculoskeletal injuries involving the spine and found that KT ‘significantly improved pain levels and range of motion in patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders of the cervical spine both immediately and 24 hours after injury.’

Two studies examined injuries in the shoulder and whilst the first didn’t find sufficient evidence to indicate that KT decreases pain in young patients with shoulder impingement, the second suggested that KT may provide short-term pain relief for patients with shoulder impingement.

Enhanced Muscle Function and Performance

Kinesiology taping may help improve muscle function, especially in cases of muscle weakness or overuse. The tape is believed to provide proprioceptive feedback to the nervous system, potentially enhancing the body’s awareness of muscle activity and improving coordination.

An RCT study by Zhang et al 2015 based on tennis players reported that KT taping may not be able to modulate strength production but it ‘does have a significant positive effect on reducing muscle fatigue during repeated concentric muscle actions’. They also commented on how the potential beneficial effects of placebo taping on muscle endurance should not be ignored. By improving biomechanics, faster recovery may be facilitated and further injury prevented.

Joint Support and Stability

KT is commonly used to provide support to joints without restricting their full range of motion. The tape works by lifting the skin slightly, creating more space between the skin and underlying tissues. This mechanical lifting action can help reduce swelling and promote circulation, providing joint support and reducing the strain on injured tissues.

For a joint like the shoulder or ankle that has a wide range of movement, the tape’s ability to support and stabilize the joint, whilst still allowing for natural movement, can really help rehabilitation, proprioception and patient confidence.

Reduction of Swelling and oedema

Kinesiology taping is effective in reducing oedema (swelling) in injured areas. As mentioned above, by lifting the skin, KT can help promote improved blood flow and lymphatic drainage, helping to reduce fluid buildup. This is particularly beneficial in the early stages of rehabilitation following an injury. A slightly different taping technique is used for this.

Postural Correction and Alignment

Kinesiology taping is sometimes used as an adjunct to improve postural alignment, particularly in individuals with musculoskeletal imbalances. By strategically placing the tape on areas such as the back, neck, or shoulders, it is believed that the tape can help encourage proper posture and alignment, reducing strain on muscles and joints.

Conclusion

Kinesiology taping is a versatile tool in the management of musculoskeletal conditions, offering benefits ranging from pain relief, improved muscle function and joint stability and movement facilitation. Although more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action, current evidence supports the efficacy of KT in treating a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, such as sprains, strains, tendinopathies, and chronic pain disorders. It can be very patient specific too.

Physiotherapists, chiropractors, and athletic trainers, continue to integrate kinesiology taping into their treatment protocols to support rehabilitation and enhance recovery outcomes.

Reference List

• Lins, C.A., Souza, A.R., & Gomes, P.R. (2012). The effectiveness of kinesiology taping in the management of pain in musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 58(4), 220-228.
• Kase, K., Wallis, J., & Kase, T. (2013). Kinesiology Taping Perfect Manual. Kenzo Kase’s Kinesiology Taping Association.
• Araujo, E.M., & Lima, M.A. (2014). Kinesiology taping for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 23(3), 163-175.
• Williams, S., & Klavuhn, S. (2015). Kinesiology tape for muscle strength and endurance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(6), 1657-1665.
• Kase, K., & Hashimoto, T. (2015). The effect of kinesiology taping on joint stability and muscle performance. Sports Medicine, 45(3), 211-220.
• Mehran Mostafavir, Jess Wertz, James Borchers (2015) Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping for Musculoskeletal Injury, clinical focus Pain management Pgs 33-40
• Shen Zhang, Weijie Fu, Jiahao Pan, Lin Wang , Rui Xia , Yu Liu (2016): Acute effects of Kinesio taping on muscle strength and fatigue in the forearm of tennis players; J Sci Med Sport 459-64

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions can significantly impact an individuals’ quality of life i.e. through chronic pain, injury, muscle spasm or tightness. These MSK conditions in turn can then have a significant impact on mental health through anxiety and depression. Depression is four times more prevalent in people who suffer from persistent pain compared to those without (Gov.uk)

A recent analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data showed that approximately 1.71 billion people globally live with musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain, neck pain, fractures, other injuries, osteoarthritis, amputation and rheumatoid arthritis (WHO). This will undoubtedly have  a huge impact on mobility, well-being, work attendance and therefore retirement age as well as people’s ability to participate in society.

Western acupuncture is based on modern anatomical and physiological principles rather than those used in traditional Chinese Acupuncture. Single-use, sterile needles are used to stimulate specific points on the body to help alleviate pain and enhance function. Dry needling uses a similar concept and the same needles, but targets myofascial trigger points in order to help relieve tension. Chinese acupuncture which was first documented in China over 3000 years ago is thought to balance the flow of qi (energy) throughout your body, through the release of endorphins (Kirchhof-Glazier D 2014). Both Dry needling and acupuncture help to produce an inflammatory reaction, stimulating your body’s natural ability to heal (BMJ 2009).

Recent studies have provided substantial evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of Western acupuncture and dry needling in managing MSK conditions. A systematic review by Tough et al. (2021) indicates that both therapies significantly reduce pain and improve function in various musculoskeletal disorders. Their findings revealed notable reductions in pain intensity and enhancements in mobility following treatment (Tough et al., 2021).

In a randomized controlled trial, Cummings et al. (2022) examined the effects of dry needling on chronic shoulder pain. The results indicated that participants who received dry needling experienced a significant decrease in pain levels and improved shoulder function compared to a control group not receiving treatment.

The mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of both western acupuncture and dry needling involve the stimulation of the nervous system, which promotes the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters helping to mitigate pain. This neurophysiological response not only alleviates immediate discomfort but may also facilitate long-term healing through enhanced blood flow to affected areas (Dyer et al., 2023).

Additionally, acupuncture and dry needling can induce muscle relaxation and restore proper movement patterns. This is particularly beneficial for conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome, characterized by tight muscles and trigger points. A study by Lee et al. (2020) demonstrated that patients undergoing dry needling exhibited significantly reduced muscle stiffness and improved range of motion, leading to an enhanced overall quality of life (Lee et al., 2020).

The safety of Western acupuncture and dry needling is another significant advantage. When administered by trained professionals, the risks associated with these treatments are minimal, making them suitable for a wide range of patients. A review by Johnson et al. (2022) reported that adverse effects are generally mild, such as temporary soreness or bruising at the needle sites, with serious complications being rare. It is also reported that  when combined with physiotherapy, chiropractic care, or other modalities, overall treatment outcomes for MSK conditions can be enhanced (Johnson et al., 2022).

In conclusion, Western acupuncture and dry needling present promising benefits for the management of musculoskeletal conditions. With a growing body of evidence supporting their effectiveness and safety, these therapies can be valuable additions to treatment options.

Reference List

• Cummings, T. M., et al. (2022). “Efficacy of dry needling in the management of chronic shoulder pain: A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, 30(2), 89-96.
• Dyer, D. L., et al. (2023). “The neurophysiological mechanisms of acupuncture: A review of the evidence.” Acupuncture in Medicine, 41(1), 15-22.
• Johnson, C. D., et al. (2022). “Safety and efficacy of acupuncture and dry needling in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review.” Physical Therapy Reviews, 27(4), 230-240.
• Lee, J. H., et al. (2020). “Effects of dry needling on muscle stiffness and range of motion: A systematic review.” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 24(4), 328-335.
• Tough, E. A., et al. (2021). “The efficacy of acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” European Journal of Pain, 25(7), 1345-1359.