It has become a common sight in sports: brightly colored strips of tape affixed to the knees, shoulders, backs, and other muscles and joints of athletes. What is it, why is it used, and can your young athlete benefit from it?
What is Kinesiology Tape?
Kinesiology tape (KT) is a stretchy and lightweight tape made of cotton or cotton blend that sticks to skin and is made to have full range of movement with the body. It comes in many colors, but the colors have no meaning and do not affect sports performance or strength. Most KT is water-resistant and hypoallergenic, so working out and showering while wearing is fine.
What is Kinesiology Tape Used For?
Kinesiology Tape may be used to increase circulation, reduce swelling, reduce muscle and joint pain, and improve muscle function. Some athletes prefer to use KT as a substitute for braces or rigid taping to provide extra support to muscles or joints that are fatigued, inflamed, or painful. Does it always work? No. It works for some people, but more research is needed to determine whether KT can provide consistent benefits across the board.
Physical therapists use KT as a supplement to manual therapy and exercise, and many studies conclude that using KT is most effective when combined with other conventional treatments.
When Should Kinesiology Tape Use Be Avoided?
KT should not be used when certain conditions exist. Some of these are:
Open wounds: using tape over an open wound can cause infection or damage to the skin.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): using tape to increase circulation can also increase the risk of dislodging a clot.
Cancer: increasing blood supply when there is active cancer in the body can be dangerous.
Diabetes: if you have reduced sensation caused by diabetes, you might not notice that you are having a reaction to KT.
Allergy: while most KT is hypoallergenic and doesn’t contain latex or natural rubber, skin that is sensitive to adhesives might cause a strong reaction.
Delicate skin: using KT on fragile skin that tears easily is not recommended.
Should Young Athletes Use Kinesiology Tape?
KT is considered safe and non-invasive and can be used by athletes of all ages. You should consult your young athlete’s healthcare provider before using it, especially if your child has a pre-existing condition. If your young athlete is using KT after an injury or due to chronic pain, their healthcare provider should be involved so it can be determined what other treatments might be necessary for full recovery.
When you understand the uses and benefits of KT, you are better able to help decide if this
Samuel Meyer, PT, DPT, completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH. Since graduation, he has spent time working within multiple areas of pediatric physical therapy and has developed a passion for helping individuals, both athletes and non-athletes, improve their function and quality of life. He practiced with the Center for Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction before transitioning to his role as a Clinical Lead within Sports and Orthopedic Therapies at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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