It gained popularity in recent years for use for musculoskeletal sport-related conditions and for more widespread use in the clinic to treat a wide range of conditions.
Kinesio-taping was originally invented to help with pain and to improve healing in soft tissues, but is now also used to relieve edema, decrease muscle spasticity, decrease stiffness, inhibit or increase muscle activity, and improve neuro-muscular proprioceptive facilitation.
Kinesio-Tape has the ability to stretch up to 120-140% of its original length and, following application, recoil back towards its point of original attachment. It is this action of recoil, according to how the tape is cut, placed, and stretched, which allows it to be used as a treatment for so many varying conditions. Kinesio-tape is waterproof and breathable, so it can be worn throughout the day, during exercise, and showering. It dries quickly and seldom causes skin irritation, and on average will last up to 2-4 days.
Physical therapists don’t only use Kinesio-tape in the clinic, in fact there are several different types of tapes that each have unique properties and are used in different situations. For instance, a very common tape that is used is a much more rigid strapping “sports tape”, which is strong enough to be used to help correct joint biomechanics with movement and to give extra joint stability in other cases. Other tapes fall in between the more elastic Kinesio-tape and the very rigid sports tapes, and all have a role to play in clinical treatment.