This is a tough one to answer and likely will be a subject of debate for years to come.
Over the past couple years and more recently, the last few months, there has been an exponential rise in the use of Kinesiology-type taping in the sports arena. Perhaps in large part due to the exposure given by Kerri Walsh at the Beijing Olympics, the use of this method of taping has become mainstream as a “therapeutic intervention” or “injury management” strategy for recreational and elite athletes alike. Unfortunately, with its rapid rise also comes its potential to rapidly fail!
This is not to say that I disagree or “don’t believe” in its clinical applications. Actually, far from it. In fact, I am heading off to a SpiderTech taping certification seminar this coming weekend. The problem I see is when its clinical indications and proper application become ignored in favor of mass marketing.
“The success of the Kinesio Taping Method is dependent upon two factors. One, proper evaluation of the patient’s condition to allow for application of Kinesio Tex Tape on the proper tissue. Two, proper application of the Kinesio Taping Technique”
(Kase et al. in Clinical Therapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method, 2nd ed.)
To put it bluntly, I believe some companies are shooting themselves in the foot (in the long term) by making their product available over the counter. This is not to say that these products should be regulated much like pharmaceuticals (as their side effects are likely minimal). They should simply be applied correctly and for the right reasons.
One such problem with widespread availability is the increased likelihood of self-diagnosing:
- I’ve got shin splints so I need kinesiology-type tape (ever stop to think that you might have a stress fracture?)
- I’ve got IT Band syndrome so I need kinesiology-type tape (you’re probably still training your VMO too, right?)
- Plantar Fasciitis? Gotta get some kinesiology-type tape (have you ruled out tarsal tunnel syndrome, calcaneal spur fractures, etc?)
You get my drift?
From a medical standpoint, I believe the credibility of this product may soon decline if it has yet to do so already. Simply put, if not applied properly, its beneficial effects will be minimal. And as a result, will result in negative publicity and/or an image of just being placebo.
As mentioned above, I will be attending a certification seminar this weekend so in no way , shape, or form, do I disagree in its theoretical principles. However, unless I am mistaken, definitive research is still lacking. Therefore, my professional recommendation to many of the companies manufacturing and distributing these types of products is this:
Unless your customers fully appreciate and understand its beneficial effects for Structural, Neurological, and Microcirculatory mechanisms, and unless your vision is to create a product perceived by public opinion as placebo, I suggest the application of your products be left to therapeutic professionals
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I will be interested in hearing more about the certification seminar, Jeff. I know one of my buddies (also a Chiropractor) wants to attend one as well. One of our gym members gave me some tape but, quite honestly, I have no idea what to do with it. Seems like a band-aid for other musculoskeletal issues that need to be addressed (like you said).
I haven’t seen any research in the physical therapy world substantiating the effectiveness of kinesiotape.
Interestingly, something to give you pause… physical therapists used to think (okay, some STILL do think) that patellar taping for chondromalacia reduced the stresses on the undersurface of the patella by altering the patellar position therefore reducing pain. There was a detailed protocol of sorts for assessing patellar position to then help with determining how to tape the patella. Recent research indicates that whether the tape is applied with medially directed forces, laterally directed forces or no forces (just slapped on the skin) could reduce patellar pain. So… if all 3 could reduce pain, then logically, the patellar position didn’t matter. If the patellar position wasn’t the key component in reducing pain, what was?
Hypothetically, there had to have been a neurophysiological response. Somehow the tape created an inhibitory pain response. No one really knows, yet. I would anticipate over the next few years fMRI will answer many of out treatment intervention questions.
Tape can be helpful. I don’t use kinesiotape… but the way the tape probably helps is more from some type off inhibitory neurophysiological response. It shouldn’t be the end all be all solution, but it can give a nice window of time for the person with pain to basically get out of that pain cycle loop and maybe forge new neuropathways in the brain. The new neuropathways in the brain would be one aspect of a long term solution in eliminating the pain.
~Snippets
P.S. BTW… the guy in your picture in the above post… look at his running form. He may have issues due to his form. I can’t tell though, the picture may not be level?
Nice piece. I agree that there is limited research for the use of kinesiotape and if ever there was a call for physios to get moving on it, this it. There is much talk in kinesiotaping courses about its effects on sensorimotor system, but no evidence to back it up. Here is one example of some work that is only starting to be done: http://www.jospt.org/issues/articleID.2311,type.14/article_detail.asp
Great info! I agree that there currently is not much data behind it. Again, that doesn’t mean it does not work, but proceed with caution.
I would love to get more info behind and please share what you learn.
I have used in on occasion in the past (and still do at times) as a way to hold scar tissue in a specific orientation. I then have the athlete do a drill or a way to measure a difference (ROM, gait, etc).
In certain cases there is a huge difference. I worked with an athlete where I taped a tattoo on her back in the down direction and her gait improved dramatically and she gained 6 inches on a toe touch with less pain. This is not a normal result, but I find that some time it can be a huge help.
Rock on
Mike T Nelson PhD(c)
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