Kinesio Taping: What the Research Says

Kinesio tape is the stretchy, colored tape you see on athletes. People use it hoping to cut pain or improve movement. The research gives a mixed answer.

Pain

A review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at 17 trials of Kinesio taping for musculoskeletal pain lasting more than four weeks. Taping did better than minimal intervention for pain. The authors also concluded that the evidence does not establish that Kinesio taping is better than other treatments (Lim and Tay, BJSM). In plain terms, it may help some people with ongoing pain, but it has not been shown to beat other options.

Strength and performance

A 2019 review of 37 randomized trials found that Kinesio taping can improve lower-limb strength in people with muscle fatigue or a chronic musculoskeletal condition. It found no support for a benefit in people without disabilities, and the evidence for hopping and jumping was insufficient. The included trials averaged 5.16 on the PEDro scale, which the authors rated fair quality (Yam et al., 2019, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders).

What this means for you

• If you are healthy and want taping to improve performance, the evidence does not support it.
• If you have lasting pain or fatigue-related weakness, taping may give modest help, and it works best alongside other care.
• Tape is not a fix for a sprain or strain that needs assessment first.

To ask about taping, book a visit or call 484.455.4664. Related: Kinesio tape and sports injury rehab. Keep It Kinetic Chiropractic is at 3254 W Ridge Pike, Suite 202, Pottstown, PA 19464.