Why Is Everyone Stuck on Kinesiology Tape?

It’s available over the counter at the local pharmacy or online, comes in a variety of colors, and is seen on the bodies of countless athletes across the world, but what exactly is kinesiology tape and what does it do? 

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Photo: Courtesy of Chandi Edmonds

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Photo: Courtesy of Chandi Edmonds

Chandi Edmonds, assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Tufts University School of Medicine, assistant director of clinical education for the DPT-Seattle program, and practicing physical therapist with a specialty in pediatrics, explains that once it is applied, kinesiology tape lifts the outermost layer of the skin away from the body to take pressure off of muscles, fascia, ligaments, and nerves beneath.

“It is an elastic therapuetic tape that, when applied, the goal is to promote additional circulation of the fluids in the body that increased due to swelling and pain. It also is thought to improve how well a muscle can function.” Edmonds says. 

The three primary areas that kinesiology tape is used to target are pain, inflammation, and muscle function. The product and application method, known as the Kinesio Taping Method, were introduced in the 1970s.

“Anecdotally, athletes like it, patients like it, but it’s very subjective if it works for a person or not,” says Edmonds, who practices and teaches from Charlotte, N.C.. “There is still debate around kinesiology tape’s effectiveness, and the evidence is insufficient to prove the theory of how it works on the physiological level or cellular level. But I know I feel better when I use it for my own muscular strains, and many of my patients have had benefits, both children and adults.” 

When introducing the concept of using kinesiology tape as part of a treatment plan, Edmonds will ask her patients if they’ve seen the Olympics, and if they have, whether they’ve noticed the colorful tape athletes wear on their bodies. 

“Once people see that athletes are using it, they are typically pretty open to trying it,” Edmonds says. “It’s just so unassuming, right? It’s a piece of tape, not an electrical stimulation machine, where you’re going to get electrical shocks through your body. It’s so basic that most people are willing to try it.” 

Not Just for Athletes

Kinesiology tape can also potentially provide relief for people who are experiencing inflammation from injuries or surgeries that can cause lymphedema, a buildup of fluid under the skin. Edmonds also mentioned that it can help relieve pain related to pregnancy, such as sciatica. In this case, the tape would be applied to the back of the hips. 

There are many brands of kinesiology tape, designed for different uses, which can be applied and worn for several days without needing to be adjusted or reapplied. Regular applications can be in the shape of an X, Y, I, or a fan—like the handheld ones used in Victorian times and vary based on the direction of the muscle or area that is being targeted. The tape can be cut to create shapes specific to the muscles, and some companies sell their tape “pre-cut”. Typically, the application will begin at the start of the muscle and extend to the end of the muscle. 

“Applying the tape, depending on the application site, is where having expertise as a practitioner comes in,” Edmonds says. “But I do think that someone with basic muscle soreness or pain from a gym workout can go to the drugstore and pick this up, and if they read the directions or watch a basic video, they could try to see if it helps relieve their problems. Certain areas will be easier to apply the tape at first, such as the thigh or front of the lower leg.” 

Edmonds notes that the tape uses a medical-grade adhesive which can cause some skin sensitivities and eczema flare-ups, so in her practice, she does a test strip on her patients. If within 24 hours of application a patient’s skin has not reacted negatively, she’ll complete a full application. The top side of the tape is woven from fibers like those found in clothing, including cotton, a nylon blend, and a polyester blend. 

K-Tape Use on Kids

Another upside of the tape: It can be worn in the shower and can be gently washed, much like skin, but shouldn’t be scrubbed, Edmonds warns. “You can just pat it dry with a towel, and it will air dry since it has tiny holes in it.” 

When applying the tape to someone with thinner skin, like the elderly or infants, Edmonds recommends providers apply a protective layer to the skin, such as milk of magnesia first. Once a thin layer has dried on the skin, the tape can be applied over that, she says. This ensures that upon removal, there aren’t any microtears in the skin. Some tape brands now have “gentle adhesive” options; however, before applying the tape at home, pediatric and senior populations should still consult with a physical therapist or physician first.

Young patients who are referred to physical therapy can include infants who have delays in movement, like rolling over or sitting up, as well as children who have neurological conditions that result in motor-use challenges.

Before applying the tape, Edmonds offers to apply it to the parents to help them understand what the experience will be like.

“Parents will say things like, ‘I’m very aware of that part of my body now,’ or ‘I feel something tingling,’ or simply they feel something different,” Edmonds says. 

In children, the tape is usually applied to bring sensory awareness to a specific part of the body while doing activities or exercises. Children typically are evaluated after a week, having worn the tape for five days followed by a two-day break period, to see if any adverse reactions have developed. 

Edmonds says that, based on her clinical experience, kinesiology tape is relatively low cost and generally low risk when used appropriately.