What Is Kinesiology tape?
Kinesiology tape is really stretchy.
Kinesio tape was created with a proprietary blend of cotton and nylon. It’s designed to mimic the skin’s elasticity so you can use your full range of motion. The tape’s medical-grade adhesive is also water-resistant and strong enough to stay on for three to five days, even while you work out or take showers.
When the tape is applied to your body, it recoils slightly, gently lifting your skin. It is believed that this helps to create a microscopic space between your skin and the tissues underneath it.
Enhance Movement, Improve Performance
Unlike white medical or athletic tape, kinesiology tape lets you move normally. In fact, some studies show that it can enhance movement and endurance. Studies on athletes have shown that when kinesiology tape is used on fatigued muscles, performance improves.
Kinesiology tape can help re-train muscles that have lost function or that have gotten used to an unhealthy way of working.
For example, kinesiology taping can be used to correct posture in your head and neck. A 2017 study supports using it to help stroke patients improve the way they walk.
Some therapists think this may be because having the strange sensation of tape on your skin can make you more aware of how you’re standing or moving.
Some athletes use kinesiology taping to help them achieve peak performance and protect against injury when they’re competing in special events.
Although you should never use kinesiology tape on an open wound, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that kinesiology tape can improve the long-term appearance of scars after surgery or injury.
The answer for some people is: yes. But we need more research — what exists currently is inconsistent. Some studies indicate no difference in outcomes between kinesiology tape and placebos or “sham taping.”
Some studies show minimal or moderate gains. Many studies indicate that kinesiology taping is most effective when used together with conventional treatment methods.
