We’ll call this installment: Indications, Contraindications, & Guidelines for Use. This is Part 2 of a series on Kinesiology Tape. Read Part 1 Here.

Part 1 of this series focused on the basics of kinesiology tape: what it is, how it’s used, and some of the evidence and research behind it. In Part 2, we’ll cover indications (when you can/should use it), contraindications (when you shouldn’t), and some basics about applying kinesiology tape. Let’s start off by reviewing some common myths or misconceptions about kinesiology tape.

Common Myths

As with any popular health or sports product, confusion and misinformation surround kinesiology tape and its real or perceived benefits. Below are a few common myths or misconceptions about kinesiology tape, followed by evidence-based responses. All references are linked to at the bottom of this page for further reading…as you may have already guessed, as a former academic, I like citing all my sources 🙂

Myth: Kinesiology tape can heal or fix tendon, ligament, or joint injuries. 

Fact: Kinesiology tape can provide neurological input to reduce pain and can provide stability for injured joints, however kinesiology tape on its own does not heal or fix injuries [4] [9] [12].

Myth: Kinesiology tape acts as merely a placebo.

Fact: Kinesiology tape has been clinically proven to affect physiological changes in both EMG and objective assessments [7] [9] [10] [11] [12].

Myth: Kinesiology tape is difficult to apply.

Fact: With proper education and training, patients & clients can learn to apply tape themselves [12].

Myth: The color of the tape matters.

Fact: The color of the tape doe not matter [12].

Myth: Kinesiology tape is a cure-all.

Fact: Kinesiology tape acts as a temporary and assistive treatment to aid in the recovery process. It should be used as an adjunct to routine physical rehabilitation [5] [8] [11] [12].

Like all other healthcare products, kinesiology tape will not fix every problem out there. When used appropriately, kinesiology tape provides acute and short-term pain relief, beneficial neuromuscular and proprioceptive effects, and edema reduction. Simply put, kinesiology tape can be used to address pain, prevent injuries, and manage edema & swelling. Usually, kinesiology tape has a greater effect in short-term uses. Because the tape activates nerves and mechanoreceptors, your body and brain becomes used to that sensory input over time. So the longer the tape is used, the less effective it becomes.

Contraindication, Precautions, & Indications

Now that we understand the effects of kinesiology tape, when should —or should’t— you use it?

Let’s begin with contraindications —or instances where kinesiology tape should not be used. Understanding the effects kinesiology tape has on circulation and lymph flow,  many of the contraindications involve instances where increasing circulation or lymph flow would be harmful. Again, without getting too into the technical weeds, if you don’t want to increase blood flow in an area, then you wouldn’t want to use kinesiology tape.

For example, if you have a DVT (deep vein thrombosis), kidney dysfunction (renal insufficiency), congestive heart failure (CHF), infection, or cancer; you may want to avoid using kinesiology tape, since increasing blood flow in certain areas may pose a risk of negative side effects. It’s important to talk to your therapist and/or doctor if you fit into one of the risk categories listed above before trying any new treatment, including kinesiology tape.

Of course, it should go without saying, that kinesiology taping should be avoided in instances where open wounds or damaged/irritated skin exist. No one wants to stick tape on an open sore or cut, let alone peel it off later.

When it comes to precautions, it is important to understand that a precaution is not the same as a contraindication. The presence of a precaution does not necessarily mean that a therapist or athletic trainer should avoid applying kinesiology tape to a specific area. It simply means that the clinician or therapist must fully understand the situation and possible complications that may arise from using kinesiology tape; and then be able to explain the risks to you before applying the tae.

An example of a precaution for the use of kinesiology tape is lymph node removal. If a you have had lymph nodes removed from a specific area, and the therapist or athletic trainer wants to use kinesiology tape over that area, there are a few extra steps that must take place. First, the therapist or athletic trainer must understand which node groups are intact and which are missing. Then, kinesiology tape must be applied in a manner that bypasses missing node groups [2]. This will prevent the possibility of edema developing in the area with missing node groups. Again, it’s not a “no-go”, but it is a situation where steps need to be taken to prevent any negative effects.

Other precautions include: skin sensitivity, skin health and thickness, and fractures depending on location, stage of healing, and physician recommendations. Some people’s skin does not tolerate the adhesives used in kinesiology tape and they may develop irritation, redness or blisters. Other people, such as the elderly who generally have thinner skin, are more at risk for skin tears or breakdown. Therapists and trainers should take precautions to ensure that the tape is not worn too long or applied with too much stretch to prevent any skin injuries.

Now, when would kinesiology tape be indicated as a possible treatment method?

According to clinical research and common practice standards, kinesiology tape is a viable option for assisting in treating acute injuries, chronic pain, edema or inflammation, tendinitis, or postural issues. It can also be used prior to a strenuous activity or event and during actual performances or competitions [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]. In fact, kinesiology tape has become rather popular in many sporting arenas as a method of improving performance, preventing injuries, and providing some pain relief during competition.

When to Continue or Discontinue the use of Kinesiology Tape

As with any treatment method, kinesiology tape is not meant to be used forever. When used properly, kinesiology tape aids in the recovery process, addresses short-term pain relief, and decreases edema. However, as stated earlier, the effectiveness of kinesiology tape begins to decrease over time.

For example, one study showed that kinesiology tape is effective at reducing pain from shoulder impingement syndrome for a few weeks. The study group received actual kinesiology tape application and the control group received a placebo taping method. Neither group received any additional treatment. After the initial few weeks of taping, there was no difference in long-term pain relief of the study group when compared to the control group [11]. The key is short-term.

So when should kinesiology tape be discontinued?

• When it is felt to be no longer necessary or the effects are no longer perceived (aka it stops working)
• After 2-3 weeks
• Pain is gone
• When tone has normalized and there is proper muscle firing patterns (your therapist will let you know when this happens)
• When function and stability are normalized
• When there is minimal edema
• If skin irritation or allergic reaction presents

Since we know that kinesiology tape creates good short-term results —especially in reducing pain— it should be used in a goal-oriented and specific way to get the best results. Kinesiology tape should be seen as a part of treatment but not as the treatment [8].

Since kinesiology tape is an effective short-term pain reliever, many therapists and trainers find that it is a good option to allow a client or athlete to begin a course of treatment or training program. For example, if a you experience shoulder pain and are unable to complete certain arm movements, using kinesiology tape on the shoulder girdle can provide enough pain relief for you to begin to tolerate those movements or exercises needed to address that shoulder issue [11].

Application of kinesiology tape at the initial part of a treatment or training program can provide a good “jump-start” for a client experiencing pain, tendinitis, edema, or postural dysfunction. The therapist or trainer should monitor you and ensure that the kinesiology tape is still providing effective or positive results.

Here are some situations where the continued use of kinesiology tape would be a good treatment option:

• When there are postural or structural dysfunctions that are relieved by the use of the tape
• When chronic conditions or dysfunctions are present that are relieved by the tape
• When returning to activity and for injury prevention
• For acute pain relief
• For performance enhancement (and possible placebo effect)

The main thing for to keep in mind is the need for constant monitoring. You should monitor yourself to make sure that the kinesiology tape is still providing the desired results and that it is not causing any negative results like irritation or skin breakdown.

What You Should Know As a Client or Patient

As with any treatment modality or option, therapists and trainers should educate you on the basic principles of taping and some simple care procedures to get the best results.

You may have heard of or seen kinesiology tape being used during sporting events, but maybe you want more understanding of what it actually is and what it can/can’t do. On top of that, medical supply and athletic companies often market new products like kinesiology tape as a “cure-all” or miracle cure and provide little in the way of actual evidence to support claims. So it becomes the responsibility of the therapists and trainers to provide high-quality information that helps minimize any risk and maximize the benefits of using the tape. So, ask your therapist or trainer all of the questions you may have. Ask for the evidence, for the research, and for what they’ve experienced in their practice.

Here is a basic check list that I have used in my own practice when educating clients and patients about kinesiology tape:

• Kinesiology tape can be worn for 2-5 days at a time, then it should be taken off.
• The tape can get wet including swimming & showering.
• After getting the tape wet, blot tape dry; do not blow dry
• Take tape off slowly. Use baby oil or sun screen to help remove if necessary.
• Remove tape at the first signs of irritation, redness, itching.

One of the biggest potential problems or complications from kinesiology tape results from the adhesive that it uses. Most all brands of kinesiology tape use a heat-activated adhesive. This means care should be taken to avoid overheating the tape once it is applied to the skin. Like I tell every patient that I use kinesiology tape with: “Don’t hit it with a blow dryer!”.

Overheating the tape causes it to bind harder to the skin and can cause irritation or skin tears when it comes time to remove it. I once had a client take a very hot shower the day after having kinesiology tape applied to her shoulder, despite the education and warning provided prior to applying it. She noticed some irritation after the shower. When she went to remove the tape, she had redness and irritation under the tape, which left some red marks for the next few days. Luckily, she only experienced some irritation and redness and not any blistering or skin tears as a result of overheating the tape.

For further reading about the affects and evidence supporting kinesiology tape, take a look at the clinical research articles listed below.

References

[1] An, Hyun Mo; Miller, Catherine Grove; McElveen, Michael; and Lynch, James M. (2012) “The Effect of Kinesio Tape® on Lower Extremity Functional Movement Screen™ Scores,”International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 5 : Iss. 3. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol5/iss3/2/

[2] Bialoszewski, D., WoŸniak, W., & ¯arek, S. (2009). Clinical efficacy of Kinesiology Taping in Reducing Edema of the Lower Limbs in Patients Treated with the Ilizarov Method – Preliminary Report . MEDSPORTPRESS,11(1), 6th ser., 46-54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19240683

[3] Campolo, M., PT, PhD, SCS, ATC, CSCS1. (2013) et al. A Comparison of Two Taping Techniques (Kinesio and McCinnell) and their Effect on Anterior Knee Pain During Functional Activities. The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy,8(2), 105-110. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3625789/

[4] Chen, P. L., Hong, W. H., Lin, C. H., & Chen, W. C. (2008). Biomechanics Effects of Kinesio Taping for Persons with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome During Stair Climbing. IFMBE Proceedings 4th Kuala Lumpur International Conference on Biomedical Engineering 2008,21, 395-397. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-69139-6_100

[5] Desjardins‐Charbonneau, A., Roy, J., Dionne, C. E., & Desmeules, F. (2015). THE EFFICACY OF TAPING FOR ROTATOR CUFF TENDINOPATHY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META‐ANALYSIS. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 10(4), 420–433. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26346114

[6] Halseth T, McChesney JW, DeBeliso M, Vaughn R, Lien J. The Effects of Kinesio Taping on Proprioception at the Ankle. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 2004;3(1):1-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896108/

[7] Drouin, J., McAlpine, C., Primak, K., & Kisse, J. (2013). The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: a literature synthesis. Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association,57(4), 356-365. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3845470/

[8] Kaya, E., Zinnuroglu, M., & Tugcu, I. (2010). Kinesio taping compared to physical therapy modalities for the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome. Clinical Rheumatology,30(2), 201-207. doi:10.1007/s10067-010-1475-6

[9] Paoloni, M., Bernetti, A., Fratocchi, G., & Mangone, M. (2011). Kinesio Taping Applied to Lumbar Muscles Influences Clinical and Electromyographic Characteristics in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine,47(2), 237-244. http://www.kinesiotaping.no/omoss/forskning/frontpage/paoloni_et_al_2011_kt_og_lbp.pdf

[10] Schneider, M., ATC, LAT, CSCS, Rhea, M., PhD, & Bay, C., PhD. (2010). The Effect of Kinesio Tex Tape on Muscular Strength of the Forearm Extensors on Collegiate Tennis Athletes. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Matthew_Rhea/publication/265623349_The_Effect_of_Kinesio_Tex_Tape_on_Muscular_Strength_of_the_Forearm_Extensors_on_Collegiate_Tennis_Athletes/links/5660de7308ae418a78668d12/The-Effect-of-Kinesio-Tex-Tape-on-Muscular-Strength-of-the-Forearm-Extensors-on-Collegiate-Tennis-Athletes.pdf

[11] Shakeri, H., Keshavarz, R., Arab, A. M., & Ebrahimi, I. (2013). CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF KINESIOLOGICAL TAPING ON PAIN AND PAIN‐FREE SHOULDER RANGE OF MOTION IN PATIENTS WITH SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE BLINDED, PLACEBO‐CONTROLLED TRIAL. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 8(6), 800–810. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3867073/

[12]  Williams, S., Whatman, C., Hume, P., & Sheerin, K. (2012). Kinesio Taping in Treatment and Prevention of Sports         Injuries A Meta-Analysis of the Evidence for its Effectiveness. Sports Medicine,42(2), 153-164. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22124445