You may have seen athletes on TV or people at the gym with brightly colored tape on their bodies — across the shoulder, around the knee cap, or on back of calves. No, it’s not a strange fashion trend, it’s kinesio tape, or K-tape. What is k-tape and what does it do?

What is Kinesio Tape?

Unlike white medical or athletic tape, kinesio tape allows you to move normally. Kinesio tape is extremely stretchy; it can stretch up to 40%-60% of its resting length! The tension created by stretching the tape when applying gently pulls the epidermis away from the underlying muscles. This extra space allows for more lymph flow and more effective lymph drainage. It’s thought that this space allows for better regulation of nerve signals sent to the brain, such as pain signals.

K-tape is specifically designed to be approximately the thickness and weight of skin, so it is quite comfortable. Most k-tapes can remain in place for 4-5 days and can withstand water and sweat, lending to it’s usefulness for athletes. Therapies using these tapes are known to be helpful in relieving pain by maintaining postural stability, improving the proprioceptive senses, and promoting circulation of blood, lymph, and tissue fluid.

How Does Kinesio Tape Work?

The tape itself has no medicinal properties, but rather its application is what makes it effective. K-tape is applied in a specific way to relieve pressure and promote proprioception in specific joints and muscles. Equilibrium chiropractors as well as many physical therapists can apply the tape appropriately to achieve the desired outcome, and in many cases can show you how to apply the tape at home to continue therapy in between office visits.

What Does It Do?

Various studies have identified that taping therapy is effective in supporting chronically weakened muscles, and enhancing mobility. For example, kinesio taping has seen some small successes in improving rounded shoulder posture, which is usually the result of weak, tight chest muscles and overstretched neck and shoulder muscles.

In athletic pursuits, k-tape can provide additional biofeedback to improve coordination, biomechanics and performance. For activities of daily living, kinesio tape can promote awareness of muscles and joints and help encourage circulation of blood and lymph to promote healing of damaged tissues.

K-taping is still a relatively new therapy, having been invented in the 1970s. Therefore, more research is needed to fully understand how it works and the best ways to use it. For now, k-tape is best used in conjunction with other therapies like chiropractic, acupuncture, massage and physical therapy. Ask our providers for more information!