The focus of respondent demographic questions was to document participant age, credentials, practice setting/s, and professional experience. The goal of clinical perceptions about KT questions were to document professional beliefs about the use of the tape with clients, KT therapeutic effects, and physiological mechanisms. Also, to document respondent beliefs about KT precautions and contraindications. The focus of the clinic application of KT questions were to document how professionals use different KT tapes, topicals, and clinical measures in their practice. Practice patterns were further assessed by documenting how professionals approached KT education such as skin prep, tape removal, length of time to wear KT, patient education, and referral. Montalvo AM, Cara EL, Myer GD. Effect of kinesiology taping on pain in individuals with musculoskeletal injuries: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Phys Sportsmed. 2014;42(2):48-57. doi:10.3810/psm.2014.05.2057 [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar] Sung Y-B, et al. (2017). Effects of taping and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for stance phase duration of stroke patients. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Physical therapists sometimes use kinesiology taping as one part of an overall treatment plan for people who’ve been injured. The American Physical Therapy Association reports that kinesiology taping is most effective when it’s used in conjunction with other treatments like manual therapy. Study says therapeutic taping no better than other approaches to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, disability. (2015). http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2015/2/20/TapingSystematicReview/

Kinesiology tape is also used to add extra support to muscles or joints that need it. If you have patellofemoral stress syndrome, IT band friction syndrome, or Achilles tendonitis, kinesiology taping might help you. Craighead DH, et al. (2017). Kinesiology tape modestly increases skin blood flow regardless of tape application technique. Kinesiology tape can help re-train muscles that have lost function or that have gotten used to an unhealthy way of working. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(7):389-395, published online 29 May 2008. doi:10.2519/jospt.2008.2791

Morris D, Jones D, Ryan H, Ryan CG. The clinical effects of Kinesio®Tex taping: A systematic review. Physiother Theory Pract. 2013;29(4):259-270. doi:10.3109/09593985.2012.731675 [ PubMed] [ Google Scholar]

Because KT tape doesn’t restrict your movement, it’s good for giving extra support to your joints and muscles, especially if you deal with a chronic issue like:For the short term, it can help with some joints that might be painful, for a couple of hours or maybe for a day,” Dr. King says. May help with chronic pain Sports medicine physician Dominic King, DO, explains why you might use elastic therapeutic tape and what it can (and can’t) do for your body. What is KT tape?