Is the Olympian's Kinesio Tape Magical or a Waste of Time and Skin?

Kinesio Taping at the Olympics

During the Olympics, many folks noticed the kinesio tape on athletes from many countries.  There were a couple articles calling it hokum and some orthopedists consulted on the topic generally sniffed at it and called it a useless eccentricity.  It should be noted that that's what most of the medical profession used to say about exercise as well.  My profession, chiropractors who use physical therapy, have been teaching the importance of exercise in our schools since the 1930's.   I briefly met Dr. KenzoKase, kinesio tape's inventor, while he was visiting our mutual alma mater, the National College of Chiropractic.  While kinesio tape is not a major part of my practice, it's something that I've used over the years, and I have a handle on it's use. 

Kinesio tape is not magic, but it's very helpful for some patients in some situations.  It's lighter, easier to apply, and less restricting  than several other taping systems.    Yes, there are times when other tape is better.   There are not robust studies for it's efficacy, there's the one goodone on shoulder pain .

There's also studies saying that "conventional" athletic taping or bracing is of no benefit, but I think it can be if you choose the right patient.   

An Explanation of Kinesio Taping 

This is how I usually describe it when I put it on patients:  When you have a broken bone, one of the most horrible sensation is the fragility that comes with instability, that feeling that something is truly out of place.  In milder sprains and strains, when there's very little true ligamentous instability, there's still a component of that feeling.  So while nothing is broken, there may be no ligament or tendon that's disrupted, x-ray and MRI may be negative, but something in the injured region is telling the brain that something's off.  Kinesiotape may help activate the part of the nervous system that tells people where their joints are in space, and provides a relief to that sense of instability.  It's very light, easy to apply and remove.  It's comes off less painfully than a band aid.  Unlike more rigid taping (or casting), you're not sacrificing use or range of motion.   Plus it comes in cool colors.  And bikers can get tape that matches their bikes. 

Medication Research and Verification Typically Cost One Billion Dollars

More research would of course be wonderful.  In order to justify a medication and prove benefit, it typically costs one billion (yes, billion) dollars to put it through the research necessary to justify it's use. While it does not require FDA approval for use, there are not funds for that cost.  While medications can be patented and protected for several years, their is limited ability to patent tape.  There are currently several competing tape products on the market, and they likely work through a similar mechanism.  No company has a billion dollars burning a whole in their pocket for such a project, especially since all the other companies would then have to do would be to demonstrate that their tape was comparable to the one used in all the expensive studies.  While studies are in the works, and will demonstrate benefit or lack thereof, in the meanwhile many chiropractors, physical therapists and trainers will continue to use it in a rational fashion.  

If you have questions on the proper use of kinesio tape for a complaint of arms, hands, foot, legs, back or neck, or any questions about pain in general, please email or give me a call.  

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 Dr. Charlie Ginsburg has a strong research background, having spent eight years in the field of connective tissue biochemistry. His practice focuses on the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries to the extremities and the spine. He uses physical therapy, rehab and chiropractic techniques, and incorporates ergonomics and therapeutic exercise into patients' treatment. He believes in inter-professional collaboration, and has strong relationships with members of the medical community and diverse alternative practitioners. Dr. Ginsburg has special interests in evidence-based medicine and martial arts injuries. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College, spent six years in the PhD program at Boston University School of Medicine (ABD), and has a Doctorate of Chiropractic from the National College of Chiropractic.  He is licensed in Maryland as a Chiropractor with Physical Therapy Privileges.

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