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K inesiology tape benefits a wide vari-ety of injuries and inflammatory con-ditions. The modality can be used to correct a movement deficiency,

brace an unstable joint or assist with muscle re-education. The thin, stretchy, therapeutic tape can be worn without binding, constrict-ing or restricting movement.

Kinesiology taping can either provide sup-port or prevent over-contraction of muscles. When used for support, taping allows the patient to retain his full range of motion and normal biomechanics. When used to

prevent over-contraction, the taping tech-nique provides all-day facilitation of lym-phatic drainage.

“In my practice, I have used several differ-ent types of taping methods to help a patient return to full functioning,” said Brian Kocze-nasz, DPT, SCS, A.R.T., physical therapist with Performance Physical Therapy in Stamford, CT. “I have used McConnell taping techniques to help with patello-femoral issues and kinesi-ology tape to help with muscle re-education and athletic tape for injury prevention prior to athletic events.”

Dr. Koczenasz’s clinic is located inside a large athletic training facility and the majority of the patient caseload is sports-related, so he tends to use taping more than most physical therapists. “I find that it is very beneficial dur-ing the transition period between finishing up

with formal rehabilitation and a full return to sports,” he shared.

The main benefits of kinesiology taping include pain relief, lymphatic drainage with bruising and edema, and as a corrective align-ment or reminder to the patient, according to Chris Keating, PT, DPT, a physical therapist with Strive Physical Therapy & Sports Reha-bilitation in Marlton, NJ. The four main types of this taping are the Y, I, X, and fan shapes. The PT can adjust the amount of tension to suit the patient when applying the tape.

Because kinesiology tape is flexible, research shows the modality helps circulation flow and speeds healing. Kinesiology tape must be applied correctly, by a trained professional.

Kinesiology Tape BasicsUnlike traditional athletic tape, which is wrapped tightly around an injured area to provide rigid support and restrict movement, kinesiology tape provides dynamic support and allows a functional range of motion.

Kinesiology tape is applied directly over or around the periphery of the area, instead of being wrapped completely around an injured area. Kinesiology tape can be worn during intense exercise, showering, bathing or swim-ming. The therapeutic benefits last the entire time the patient wears the tape.

Because it’s lightweight, breathable and flexible, kinesiology tape is an effective tool. And unlike athletic tape, therapeutic tape does not cause skin irritation from tight compres-sion or moisture build-up.

Kinesiology tape is applied to a patient’s shoulder when her arm is fully extended at 90 degrees. The PT gently presses the tape at the top of the shoulder area and unrolls down the length of the patient’s arm to the elbow. Proper application ensures the tape will glide along the same direction as the patient’s shoulder and arm muscles.

Kinesiology tape can be applied to neck or shoulder injuries to help speed recovery time. Kinesiology tape is available in vari-ous cuts and colors to treat several different muscle groups, including shoulders, knees, wrists, back and other common areas where sports injuries can occur. These cuts, in shapes such as X, Y and I, are designed to mimic the structure and makeup of the muscle fibers, so the tape can be placed along the length

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Shoulder SensationsKinesiology tape helps upper extremity injuries heal more rapidly and fullyBy Rebecca Mayer

Patient Fares Issa is being taped by Chris Keat-ing, PT, DPT, to temporarily decrease shoulder pain at strive Physical Therapy.

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of the muscle and provide extra support for faster healing.

Kinesiology tape is used to help heal injuries or strains without the rigidity and inflexible properties of regular athletic tape. Because it is made of cotton, kinesiology tape is more breathable and allows for easy movement. The tape is safe to use while train-ing or working out, and is both sweat proof and waterproof.

“I see kinesiology tape mainly as a bridge to other treatments,” shared Dr. Keating. “The modality helps patients move on, rather than becoming dependent on the therapy.” In Dr. Keating’s experience, patients tend to get hooked on modalities such as TENS. But with taping, patients can be discharged more quickly because they are ready to stop wear-ing the tape.

Dr. Keating often uses kinesiology tape for patients with fibromyalgia. “Shoulder taping is an effective treatment for vague pain,” he said. “It provides great sensory feedback.”

With fibromyalgia, there is a central pain

issue, and kinesiology tape can provide relief throughout day when applied properly, said Dr. Keating. With this patient population, he commonly uses the tape two times a week, and for about two to three weeks, then is able to discontinue use because the pain has been relieved enough for the patient to participate in strengthening exercises. He generally uses a Y strip from the deltoid to the front, and an I strip to unload the deltoid.

“I use kinesiology tape to eliminate pain, not for structural purposes,” Dr. Keating explained. Applying kinesiology tape before taking a patient through a strengthening program can help recruit muscle groups to fire through the tactile feedback the tape pro-vides. This, in turn, can help correct faulty neuromuscular firing patterns, according to Dr. Koczenasz.

Body AwarenessKinesiology tape, used along the lumbar and thoracic paraspinals, can significantly help with postural corrections. The tape provides

a constant reminder to sit upright and avoid a C-curved spine. “When the person is in a good postural position, they usually don’t feel anything,” observed Dr. Koczenasz.

“When the patient moves into poor pos-tural position, he will feel the tape pull tight, which should remind him to use the proper postural muscles.”

Dr. Keating generally uses kinesiology tape for shoulder instability, postural issues and realignment purposes. “Because the patient wears the tape for a few days, it really helps with awareness of issues in the shoul-der,” he said. “I often use kinesiology tape for cuing patients to be aware of their body mechanics.”

According to Dr. Keating, kinesiology tape is an appropriate solution for many of his patients because there are sensory and neu-rological components in an orthopedic clinic that athletic tape cannot address.

Dr. Koczenasz has used kinesiology tape post-surgically to help decrease swell-ing. “What I was taught when taking the

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kinesiotape courses was that the elastic recoil of the tape, when applied in a grid or lattice pattern causes the skin to dimple in the small squares not covered by tape,” he explained.

“That dimpling creates alternating spaces of increased/decreased pressure, which should create a flow of fluid allowing the lymph sys-tem to better absorb it.”

Patients with subacromial impingement or tendonitis typically also have a component of altered neuromuscular firing patterns caus-ing poor glenohumeral and scapulothoracic biomechanics, shared Dr. Koczenasz. Kinesiol-ogy tape can help provide a tactile feedback sensation which helps the patient feel how the shoulder and arm both should and should not be moving.

A muscle or muscle group can be activated or helped when the recoil of the tape is mov-ing in the same direction as the pull of the muscle. “Inhibition can be achieved if the recoil is moving in the opposite direction as the pull of the muscle,” said Dr. Koczenasz.

“It is the tactile sensation of the tape on the

skin when either activating or inhibiting that influences the muscle or muscle group.”

Kinesiology taping is used to alleviate pain and swelling by lifting the skin, which serves to relieve pressure on the neural receptors, and allows the lymphatic system to drain more freely.

Dr. Keating has had success using kinesiol-ogy tape with bruising. He generally applies a wide strip in a spider formation. The the-ory is to apply when the area is stretched to create a breather under the skin. He feels the tape helps the lymphatic system to get up and working. “If a patient has a gnarly bruise, it helps to get it out of the area,” he shared.

“When it comes to the traditional taping, most patients understand the benefits and do not need much education,” shared Dr. Kocze-nasz. “When using kinesiology tape, patients do require some education about what it is and how it will benefit. After the first applica-tion, most patients will see the benefits.”

According to Dr. Koczenasz, patients tend

to be a little skeptical about using kinesiology tape, however, after a time or two, most can see the benefit of the modality.

Dr. Keating finds kinesiology tape to be exceptionally user-friendly. “There are social aspects of wearing tape that need to be considered as well. But with this tape, it simply comes off when it’s done being effec-tive Typically it’s about three days of use and generally, the tape won’t have any effect after that time.”

Kinesiology tape is one of many useful tools in the PT toolbox. “It provides another option and works like extra security because it’s easy to use and satisfies the patient’s psychological component about their injury or condition,” observed Dr. Keating. n

Rebecca Mayer is senior regional editor of ADVANCE.

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For more information on taping, visit www.advanceweb.com/PTSportsRehab

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