Kinesiology tapeis a relatively new tool used inphysical therapythat is not appropriate for everyone. This stretchy cotton tape is thought to ease pain and disability from sports injuries and a variety of other physical disorders but can make certain conditions worse.
Even the adhesive backing on kinesiology tape (also known as K-tape or the brand name Kinesio tape) can cause allergies in people who are hypersensitive to acrylic.
This article describes the absolute contradictions of kinesiology taping (meaning situations in which the tape should never be used) as well as some relative contradictions of K-taping (in which the tape may pose risks in certain groups).
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Purpose of Kinesiology Tape
Others contend that K-taping can treat conditions likerotator cuff tears,Achilles tendinopathy,low back pain, andlymphedema, although these benefits have not yet been proven.
It is also unclear if K-taping can improve athletic performance as some people claim.
Absolute Contraindications to Using Kinesiology Tape
An absolute contraindication is when a medical treatment or procedure should never be used due to the high risk of harm, injury, or death.
The following is a list of absolute contraindications to kinesiology taping:
If you have any of these problems, advise your healthcare provider or physical therapist before undergoing any form of physical therapy.
1:47Click Play to Learn How to Use Kinesiology Tape
1:47
Click Play to Learn How to Use Kinesiology Tape
Relative Contraindications to Using Kinesiology Tape
Relative contraindications are situations in which a treatment or procedure may be harmful if precautions are not taken. In such situations, you and your healthcare provider will decide if the benefits exceed the possible risks.
Relative contraindications for kinesiology taping include but are not limited to:
If you have any of these conditions, let your healthcare provider or physical therapist know so that you can weigh the benefits and risks of K-taping.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gianola S, Iannecelli V, Fascio E, et al.Kinesio taping for rotator cuff disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Aug 8;8(8):CD012720. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012720.pub2Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Abdenour TE.Kinesiology tape: a descriptive survey of healthcare professionals in the United States.Int J Sports Phys Ther.2021;16(3):778–96. doi:10.26603/001c.22136Wu WT, Hong CZ, Chou LW.The Kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2015;2015:950519. doi:10.1155/2015/950519Smykla A, Walewicz K, Trybulski R, et al.Effect of kinesiology taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized single-blind controlled pilot study.Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:767106. doi:10.1155/2013/767106
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gianola S, Iannecelli V, Fascio E, et al.Kinesio taping for rotator cuff disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Aug 8;8(8):CD012720. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012720.pub2Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Abdenour TE.Kinesiology tape: a descriptive survey of healthcare professionals in the United States.Int J Sports Phys Ther.2021;16(3):778–96. doi:10.26603/001c.22136Wu WT, Hong CZ, Chou LW.The Kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2015;2015:950519. doi:10.1155/2015/950519Smykla A, Walewicz K, Trybulski R, et al.Effect of kinesiology taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized single-blind controlled pilot study.Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:767106. doi:10.1155/2013/767106
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gianola S, Iannecelli V, Fascio E, et al.Kinesio taping for rotator cuff disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Aug 8;8(8):CD012720. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012720.pub2Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Abdenour TE.Kinesiology tape: a descriptive survey of healthcare professionals in the United States.Int J Sports Phys Ther.2021;16(3):778–96. doi:10.26603/001c.22136Wu WT, Hong CZ, Chou LW.The Kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2015;2015:950519. doi:10.1155/2015/950519Smykla A, Walewicz K, Trybulski R, et al.Effect of kinesiology taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized single-blind controlled pilot study.Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:767106. doi:10.1155/2013/767106
Gianola S, Iannecelli V, Fascio E, et al.Kinesio taping for rotator cuff disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Aug 8;8(8):CD012720. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012720.pub2
Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Abdenour TE.Kinesiology tape: a descriptive survey of healthcare professionals in the United States.Int J Sports Phys Ther.2021;16(3):778–96. doi:10.26603/001c.22136
Wu WT, Hong CZ, Chou LW.The Kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.2015;2015:950519. doi:10.1155/2015/950519
Smykla A, Walewicz K, Trybulski R, et al.Effect of kinesiology taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized single-blind controlled pilot study.Biomed Res Int.2013;2013:767106. doi:10.1155/2013/767106
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