Injury Tips

The Tale of the Tape

By R. Kent Kurfman; PT, DPT, OCS, MTC, Elite Physical Therapy

If you spent much time watching the Tour de France or the 2008 Beijing Olympics, you probably noticed a number of athletes wearing colored tape on their shoulders, backs or knees and wondered why. These tapes are all types of kinesio-tape, an elastic tape used to treat and prevent soft tissue injury. They're simple to use and provide light support to injured tissues without restricting movement.

Kinesiotape was developed in 1973 by a Japanese chiropractor, Kenzo Kase. He sought to develop a tape which would mimic the qualities of skin but at the same time promote soft tissue healing and support. The tape was initially available only to healthcare providers, but Kinesiotape use has mushroomed since the 2008 Olympics, due to its rather visible use on athletes there and the new availability of tape from manufacturers marketing directly to athletes.

 There are several companies selling kinesio-style tapes with  each company empahsizing different qualities of their own tape, some of which are more adhesive and water resistant, some of which are more elastic (RockTape), and some which are made in pre-cut patterns to simplify application (SpiderTech). Regardless of manufacturer, the basic characteristics of the tapes are the same. All of the tapes are very thin, breathable, and water resistant. They are all elastic, but only in one direction (along their length).

Research on the tape has been limited so the effects of the tape are theoretical. One of the proposed mechanisms of the tapes is that they affect microcirculation, lifting the skin lightly to improve lymphatic flow over healing areas. Another effect is neurosensory, providing a steady low level stimulation (via stretch) to "compete" with pain receptors in the skin to lessen pain perception. A third proposed benefit is determined by how tightly you tension the tape when you apply it. The tape is used to provide a light support or positioning effect that also works via proprioceptive feedback to remind our brains to "activate" or tension a weak or underactive support muscle while simultaneously allowing freedom of movement.

I've had a great deal of success in the last several years that I've used kinesio-style tapes. I've found it easy to use and to work well with both athletes and with persons experiencing chronic pain. It works best with soft tissue injuries, tendinopathies, and muscular soreness and with reducing soft tissue swelling/bruising. It also works well in blister prevention on toes - an application learned from the ultramarathon community.

There are few precautions with using the tape. Although the tapes are latex-free and made with nylon and cotton, some people experience skin rashing should remove the tape immediately if they note any unusual skin burning or rash while wearing the tape. If you wear the tape for several days, you should wash over the tape daily with soap and water during normal bathing. Since the adhesive is heat-activated,  do not dry it with a hair-dryer, as it will cause it to adhere to skin quite aggressively. The tapes are best applied over areas where your hair is trimmed close to the skin and shouldn't be placed over any open wound. The tape is not a cure-all by any means and should be used in conjunction with your physician, therapist or other health care provider.