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
