Kinesio Taping:

An Introduction on Technique and Results

Chris Keating SPT

Thomas Jefferson University
 Overview
 Introduction to Kinesio  Clinical Implications
Taping  Application of Kinesio
 Properties Tape
 Theoretical Benefits  RTC Impingement Taping
 Types of Application  Quadriceps Facilitation
 Application Guidelines Taping
 Current Evidence
 Shoulder Pain
 Lower Trunk ROM
 Lateral Patella Dislocation
 Acute Pediatrics Population
Kinesio Tape Properties
Properties of Kinesio Tape
 Mimics skin qualities
 Tape is replicating
hands on the patient
 Sensiomotor stimulation
 Allows longitudinal
stretch of 30-40% of its
resting length
 Effective for 3-5 days of
constant use
 Latex free and heat
activated adhesive
 Acrylic adhesive
applied in wave fashion
to allow for moisture
escape
Theoretical Benefits
Theoretical Benefits
 Analgesic Affect
 Mechanoreceptors
 Create space for areas of
pain and inflammation
 Assist or limit motion
through sensory stimulus
 Lymphatic Drainage
 Increase lymph drainage
from the area via
increased subcutaneous
space
Theoretical Benefits
 Correct Malalignment
 Positional stimulus
 Align fascia tissues
 Scar Tissue
 Breaks adhesions
 Reduce irritation
Types of Application
Types of Application
 Y
 I
 X
 Fan
 Web
 Donut
Types of Application: Y

 Used to surround muscle

 Either to facilitate or inhibit muscle stimuli
 Should be 2 inches longer than target muscle

Teres Minor Y
Type of Application: I
 Used for more acute
injuries in place of Y
 Primary purpose for
edema and pain
 Greater surface area
 Used for alignment
correction

Tricep I strips
Type of Application: X and Donut

 X
 Used when origin and insertion change depending
on movement (Rhomboids)
 Donut
 Specifically used for edema
 Use overlapping strips and the center is cut out
over area of focus
Types of Application: Fan/Web
 Chief use for edema
 Web different because ends remain intact
Type of Application
Stretch
 Muscle should be elongated prior to
application
 KT requires none to partial stretch
 Stretch results in skin convolutions whether
they are visible or not they are present
 Would rather have too little than too much
stretch
 This is not athletic taping, do not take up full
stretch*
Types of Application
Stretch
 Full- 100%
 Severe- 75%
 Moderate- 50%
 Light- 15-25%
 None- 0%
 Percentage stretch refer to percentage of
available stretch
Type of Application
Direction
 Insertion to Origin
 Used to inhibit overused or stretched muscles
 Light stretch required to achieve this goal
 Origin to Insertion
 Used to facilitate weak or under performing
muscles
 Light to moderate stretch required
Application Guidelines
Application Guidelines
 Shave hair if interfering
with adhesive
 No oils or lotions on
skin
 If wet, pat dry
 Do not use hair dryer
on tape
 Use alcohol to prep
skin if needed
Application Guidelines
 Measure appropriate length- allowing for
desired stretch
 Remove tape carefully in order not to touch
or increase application difficulty
 Rub tape after application to activate
adhesive
 Allow 20 mins for adhesive to take effect
 If KT doesn’t reduce pain than D/C treatment
after 20 mins
Evidence Based Practice
Shoulder Pain
Thelen et al.
 Purpose
 To compare the short-term effect of a therapeutic KT
application on reducing pain and disability in subjects with
RTC tendonitis/impingement versus sham KT taping
 Population
 18-24yo College Students; (n = 27)
 + Hawkins-Kennedy, + Empty Can, + Pain Before 150°
elevation in any plane
 - Fracture, - GH Disloction/Subluxation, - Cervical
Involvement, - Shoulder Surgery < 12 months
 Intervention
 15-25% Stretch Y-Strip for Supraspinatus
 15-25% Stretch Y-Strip for Deltoid
 50-75% Stretch Y or I-Strip Coracoid Process ->
Posterior Deltoid
 Outcome
 Only significant difference between groups found
on day 1 with treatment group achieving greater
abduction (19°)
 Both groups over 6 days demonstrated
improvements in all outcome measures
 Attrition was high 7/27, due to scheduling conflicts
Lower Trunk ROM
Yoshida et al.
 Purpose
 To determine the effects of KT on lower trunk
flexion, extension and lateral flexion
 Population
 30 healthy subjects (15f, 15m)
 Average age (26,20)
 Volunteered
 Were excluded if had LBP within 6 months of trial
 Intervention
 Cross-over Study
 15-25% stretch with Y-Strip
 Place base above sacrum
 Attach tails on each erector spinae group with
light tension
 Outcomes
 Taping significantly increased flexion (17cm) over
non-taping
 No control group
 Needs more detailed measurements
Traumatic Patellar Dislocation
Osterhues
 Purpose
 To demonstrate the use of KT for control of pain, restriction
of quadriceps muscle contraction and altered sense of
weight bearing stability in patella dislocation rehabilitation
 Population
 49 yo female PT who sustained a traumatic left knee
patella lateral dislocation while cross country skiing
 Intervention
 10% Stretch Y-Strip from the insertion to origin
 Base placed without tension
 Tails across medial retinacular tissue and lateral
quadriceps border with paper off tension
 Treatment also included:
 IFC, ice with compression, static and dynamic balance
training, stationary bike, ROM exercises, massage
 Outcome
 Reduced pain with activity 4 weeks after injury with KT use
function comparable to Atkin et al. (2000) study which put
timetable at 6 months
 Tests with NeuroCom Balance Master higher for taped
condition than no taped, however both numbers outside
(below) normal ranges
KT effect on Peds
Yasukawa et al
 Purpose
 To describe the functional arm and hand skills for children
admitted into a rehab program subsequent use of KT
 Population
 15 Children (10f, 5m) Ages 4-16
 4 SCI, 2 TBI, 3 Brain Tumor, 2 CVA, Seizure, CP, 2 Birth
Defects
 + muscle weakness or abnormal muscle tone
 Grades of 3 or more on Mod. Ashworth were excluded
 Trace on MMT or sensory issues were also excluded
 No cognitive or motivation issues
 Intervention
 Wide variety of KT techniques, Individualized
 Outcome
 Melbourne Assessment
 16 pt questionnaire measuring upper limb function
 Designed for CP population
 Scores significantly improve pre-test to post-test
as well as 3 days after taping
 Its hard to draw specific treatment from study
 Overall function improved in group average
immediately after taping limiting learning curve
 Increase of 5 on MA immediately after application
 Increase of 10 on MA 3 days after application
Clinical Implications
Clinical Implications

 Level of evidence
 Weak- only one RCT found (via Medline, Cinahl,
Cochrane, DARE, ACP)
 Mainly case studies, presented were a sample of
the most PT relevant
 What does the evidence support
 Increase in ROM
 Increase in function
Clinical Implications
 Why use it
 Tool in the toolbox
 Treats patient for 72
consecutive hours
 Feeling of treatment ->
encourage movement
 Placebo or Treatment?
 Versatile
 Pros
 Some evidence proves
theories
 PTs provide treatment
 Applicable to multiple pt
populations
 Constant treatment
 Cons
 Some evidence proves
theories
 Expensive
 Requires practice
 Skin reaction
Clinical Implications
 Athletic Taping v Kinesio Taping
 Bragg article demonstrates AT decrease in support within
an hour of use
 Since KT does not focus on support its means of sensory
stimulus to enforce movement may just be a better form of
AT
 Clinical Opinion
 Kinesio Taping could be a useful tool for therapist who see
patients only a handful of times during rehab
 Little evidence supports its multiple theories, more research
needed
 May be a way to facilitate and encourage movement
RTC Impingement Taping
Y-Strip
Supraspinatus,
1st

Y or I Strip,
Anterior
displacement,
3rd

Y-Strip
Deltoid, 2nd
Quadriceps Taping
Y-Strip 1st

Y-Strip
2nd
References
 Clinical Theraputic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method; K.
Kaze, J. Wallis, T. Kase; Tokyo, Japan, 2003
 The Clinical Efficacy of Kinesio Tape for Shoulder Pain: A
Randomized, Double-Blinded, Clinical Trial; M. Thelen, J. Dauber, P.
Stoneman; Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 38:7 2008
 Pilot Study: Investigating the Effects of Kinesio Taping in an Acute
Pediatic Rehabilitation Setting; A. Yasukawa, P. Patel, C Sisung;
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60:1 2006
 The Use of Kinesio Taping in the Management of Traumatic Patella
Dislocation. A Case Study; D. Osterhues; Physiotherapy Theory and
Practice; 20:4 2004
 The Effect of Kinesio-Taping on Lower Trunk Range of Motions; A.
Yoshida, L Kahanov; Research in Sports Medicine, 15 2007
 Characteristics of Patients with Primary Acute Lateral Patellar
Dislocation and Their Recovery Within the First Six Months of Injury;
DM. Atkins, Dc Fithian, KS Marangi; The American Journal of Sports
Medicine; 28:4 2000
 Failure and Fatigue Characteristics of Adhesive Athletic Tape; Bragg,
R.W, Macmahon, J.M, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 34:3
2002