Key Points
• Kinesiology tape uses medical-grade adhesive to create a microscopic space between the skin and the tissues underneath it, influencing the movement of fluids in the dermal and superficial fascia layers.
• The manner in which tape is applied, including the shape of the cut, the direction of the tape, and the amount of tension applied, contributes to the tape’s effect, making it crucial that a therapist has a thorough understanding of the principles, science, and methodology of taping.

A note on terminology: One will often find the terms kinesiology tape and kinesio tape used interchangeably in research or popular media. While kinesiology tape is a general term applied to all elastic therapeutic tape regardless of brand or trademark, Kinesio Tape refers to the original elastic therapeutic tape created by Dr. Kenzo Kase in the 1970s. Because of its long history, the term is often used in a generic way. To further compound things, the literature often abbreviates Kinesio Tape as “KT”; however, KT is its own brand and product, distinct from Kinesio (see Types of Kinesiology Tape sidebar). Although I have used both terms (kinesiology and kinesio) in this article, my description of training, methodology, and outcomes is based on my experience with Kinesio Tape and the Kinesio Taping Method. Each brand of kinesiology tape has proprietary designs, protocols, and training. While they all share some common characteristics, there are several factors that vary from tape to tape: the type of fabric used; its weave, thickness, width, extensibility, and tensile strength; the type and amount of adhesive used; and the amount of tension with which the tape is adhered to the paper backing in the manufacturing process.

Applying kinesiology tape to clients at the conclusion of a massage or bodywork session supports and reinforces the work you do to help reduce pain, improve proprioception, and/or restore movement and function.1 The tape continues to provide this influence during the 3-5 days it typically stays on the skin as your client engages in movements and activities of daily living. Some people describe this effect as “taking your therapist’s hands with you when you go home.” While this may overstate the tape’s effect, I was recently gratified when a client came back after his first taping application, saying, “I felt like the tape was my friend.”  
For those suffering from chronic pain or dysfunction, often frustrated by their previous experience in rehabilitation, this kind of perception marks a step in the right direction, and it increases their trust in your work—something we know is a significant factor in healing. (See “How Client Expectations Shape Results” by Til Luchau and Whitney Lowe in the January/February 2021 issue of Massage & Bodywork, page 88.)

Bringing the Body Back to Balance

Kenzo Kase, DC, the originator of Kinesio Taping, describes the main objective of his Kinesio Taping Method as helping to bring the organism back to homeostasis. Over almost four decades of research and clinical experience, he discovered that kinesiology tape does this by influencing the organism at multiple system and tissue levels. It begins doing so at the place where it contacts the body: the skin, that direct link between the external environment and our brain and nervous system.
Here, it provides specific stimuli to a variety of sensory receptors and influences the movement of fluids in the dermal and superficial fascia layers. And we know that due to the multidimensional, interdependent nature of the fascial network, changes to superficial tissues will affect underlying and adjacent tissue layers.2

FAQs

1. How long does training take? In the Kinesio Taping Method, there are several tracks for training, from two- or six-hour workshops for the general public and nonlicensed movement/sports specialists to the 20-hour seminar leading to practitioner certification. There are also specialty courses for professionals who are already certified practitioners.

2. What’s the price range for training? The price varies depending on the type of training. There are basic workshops for the public and sports specialists that generally run between $25 and $135. There are specialty courses that run between $199 and $299. The Certification Course (Kinesio Taping Foundations) is the most comprehensive and runs between $400 and $500, depending on the location. Kinesio is currently in the process of developing a Specialty Course specifically for massage/manual therapists.

3. What brands of tape do you recommend? I use the Kinesio Tex brand, which includes different types of tapes for different populations or applications.

4. How do you work with a client with body hair? Body hair can be clipped to allow for better adherence and removal.

5. What kinds of injuries/problems can the tape be used for? Kinesiology tape is used for a variety of conditions, including edema, skin, fascia, and musculoskeletal conditions; neurological conditions; and scar management.

6. Are there any contraindications to using kinesiology tape? Yes, there are some obvious contraindications, such as not taping over malignancies, open wounds, infections, or deep-vein thrombosis. There are also precautions to be taken with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and lymphoedema, to name a few.

7. Are there any scope-of-practice issues regarding using kinesiology tape? Check with your state regulations regarding your scope of practice. As a general rule, I highly recommend a training program that includes specialized palpation and movement assessments for practitioners using kinesiology tape with clients. Once you have this training, using the tape should fall within your scope of practice.

8. Can consumers use the tape themselves or must it be applied by a trained professional? Most kinesiology tape companies provide instruction for self-application, and many also make precut tapes for specific body parts or conditions. However, seeing a professionally trained practitioner ensures maximum effectiveness by having the tape applied following well-informed clinical reasoning.

From the Most Superficial to the Deepest Tissues

Kinesio Taping applications—called corrections—are designed to influence every level of soft tissue in the body, from skin to joint capsule. The following is a description of the most common corrections. While research on Kinesio Taping (as with massage therapy) is difficult to conduct, there is supporting evidence of the efficacy of these interventions.
EDF Corrections (epidermis, dermis, and fascia) utilize a specially designed tape to address the most superficial tissues, providing very light sensory input with no tension or minimal tension on the tape. A landmark study showed that the application of tape following sternotomy reduced reports of pain and need for medication.1
Space Corrections offer decompression through (microscopic) lifting of the skin and underlying tissues. This application is often used to address painful trigger points.2
Underactive Muscle Corrections stimulate muscle activity when the tape is applied from origin to insertion.3
Overactive Muscle Corrections decrease muscle activity when the tape is applied from insertion to origin.4
Joint Corrections (tendon, ligament, mechanical, and functional corrections) all offer compression to proprioceptively encourage normal function of these tissues while offering stability support.5
Circulatory/Lymphatic Corrections gently offer a directional pull to channel fluids to less congested areas.6

Overactive Muscle Correction for the Pectoralis Major

Goal: Decrease forward resting posture of the shoulder

1. Measure and cut Kinesio Tape in a “Y” strip.
2. Anchor with no tension at the greater tubercle of the humerus, with the shoulder in neutral position.

3. Set the position for stretching of the clavicular fibers—the shoulder in abduction and external rotation, with slight elbow flexion.

4. Adhere the top tail over the clavicular portion of the muscle, along the medial one-third of the clavicle, with 15–25 percent tension on the tape.
5. Apply at the end in a stretched position, with no tension at the sternum.
6. Activate the adhesive in a stretched position.
7. Set the position for stretching of the sternal fibers: Reposition the shoulder overhead as tolerated to approximately 110–135 degrees abduction with external rotation.
8. Adhere the bottom tail along ribs 5–6 with 15–25 percent tension on the tape.
9. Apply the end in a stretched position, with no tension above the nipple (when taping women, drape appropriately and stay well above the breast tissue).
10. Activate the adhesive in a stretched position.

Completed Application
• Kinesio Y strip
• Distal to proximal
• 15–25 percent tension

Types of Kinesiology Tape

Since the advent of Kinesio Taping, the industry has seen a boom, and dozens of kinesiology tape brands have appeared on the market. Whether you are looking for professional training, self-application, or a retail opportunity, there is now a great variety of brands to choose from. While there are too many to list here (even CVS and Target have developed their own brands), the following is a list of a few that are currently popular with practitioners and the public:

Kinesio Tape: kinesiotaping.com
KT Tape: kttape.com
Learn2Tape: learn2tape.com
Mueller: muellersportsmed.com/b2c-us/en
Rock Tape: rocktape.com
Spider Tech: spidertech.com/us
Theraband: theraband.com

Studies

Proprioception and Measures After Application of Kinesio Tape
Alahmari, Khalid A. “The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Cervical Proprioception in Athletes with Mechanical Neck Pain—a Placebo-Controlled Trial.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders  21, no. 648 (2020). https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-020-03681-9.
Proprioception, Balance, and Gait Following a Stroke
Kim, Jin Hong. “Effects of Proprioception Training with Kinesio Taping of the Knee Joints on the Proprioception, Balance, and Gait in Stroke Patients: A Single-Blind Randomized Trials.” Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin. www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/pdf/10.1055/a-1773-3923.pdf.
Mechanisms By Which the Tape Reduces Pain
Donec, Venta. “The Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping for Pain Management in Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial.” Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease (August 29, 2019): 1759720X19869135. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1759720X19869135.

Putting It Into Practice

You might wonder how kinesiology tape, a simple strip of fabric consisting of a blend of rigid and elastic fibers plus adhesive, can address such a wide range of tissues and conditions. There are several factors that contribute to the variety of applications and effects.
In the Kinesio Taping Method, specific assessments identify the target tissue and the most appropriate application to achieve the desired effect. Then, the practitioner selects the best tape for the issue at hand. Finally, they make decisions about the cut (from a simple “I” strip to the fanciful jellyfish cut), direction, and amount of tension applied (anywhere from 0 to 100 percent tension). The sum of these choices contributes to the desired effect. You can see why a thorough understanding of the principles, science, and methodology of taping is crucial if the practitioner is to make informed decisions when treating a client.
An essential part of this process is the special Kinesio Taping Assessments and Screenings. A detailed description of Kinesio assessments is beyond the scope of this article, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that after teaching many practitioners from a variety of professional backgrounds, including MDs, DCs, PTs, etc., I have found massage therapists to be uniquely qualified to master these assessments. This is because the assessments require excellent palpation skills. We spend hours each day palpating bodies, feeling for irregularities in the tissues, constantly assessing their texture, tension, density, movement, and other qualities. Our hands have learned to read and listen to tissues at various depths and to register qualitative changes as they occur in real time. We bring a level of comfort, confidence, and receptivity to our touch that other professionals would be hard-pressed to match. In my seminars, it is not unusual for the massage therapists in the group to be the ones who “get it” first and demonstrate the highest levels of skill.
There is great affinity between kinesiology taping and massage therapy, and there is a shared purpose: to assist healing by engaging the body’s own intelligence. Both approaches can help reset recent or deeply held inflammatory responses and neuromuscular patterns and provide pain relief and freer movement. In well-trained hands, they both become powerful healing tools.

Note

Venta Donec and Raimondas Kubilius, “The Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping for Pain Management in Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial,” Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, August 20, 2019, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1759720X19869135; Khalid A. Alahmari et al., “The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Cervical Proprioception in Athletes with Mechanical Neck Pain—a Placebo-Controlled Trial,” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 21, no. 648 (2020).
Bruno Bordoni, Navid Mahabadi, and Matthew Varacallo, Anatomy, Fascia (Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing, 2022). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29630284.

Notes for "From the Most Superficial to the Deepest Tissues"

Notes

1. H. M. Klein, R. Brockmann, and Alexander Assmann, “Pain-Diminishing Effect of Kinesio Taping in Patients after Sternotomy,” Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 10, suppl. 1 (September 2015): A76, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4693911/pdf/1749-8090-10-S1-A76.pdf; Shihfan Jack Tu, Roger C. Woledge, and Dylan Morrissey, “Does ‘Kinesio Tape’ Alter Thoracolumbar Fascia Movement During Lumbar Flexion? An Observational Laboratory Study,” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 20, no. 4 (October 2016): 898–905, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.04.007.
2. Katie J. Lyman et al., “Investigating the Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping Space Correction Method in Healthy Adults on Patellofemoral Joint and Subcutaneous Space,” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 12, no. 2 (April 2017): 250–257, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5380868/; Hosein Kouhzad Mohammadi et al., “Immediate and Delayed Effects of Forearm Kinesio Taping On Grip Strength,” Iran Red Crescent Medical Journal 16, no. 8 (August 2014): e19797, https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.19797; Katie J. Lyman et al., “Investigating the Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping Space Correction Method in Healthy Adults on Patellofemoral Joint and Subcutaneous Space,” International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 12, no. 2 (April 2017): 250–57, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28515980.
3. Jian Xiong et al., “Short-Term Effects of Kinesio Taping Combined with Cervical Muscles Multi-Angle Isometric Training in Patients with Cervical Spondylosis,” Mapping Intimacies (July 2021): preprint, https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-635541/v1.
4. Francisco García-Muro, Ángel L. Rodríguez-Fernández, and Ángel Herrero-de-Lucas, “Treatment of Myofascial Pain in the Shoulder with Kinesio Taping: A Case Report,” Manual Therapy 15, no. 3 (June 2010): 292–95, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2009.09.002; Olivera C. Djordjevic et al., “Mobilization with Movement and Kinesiotaping Compared with a Supervised Exercise Program for Painful Shoulder: Results of a Clinical Trial,” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 35, no. 6 (July 2012): 454–63, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.07.006.
5. Marco Cortesi, Davide Cattaneo, and Johanna Jonsdottir, “Effect of Kinesio Taping on Standing Balance in Subjects with Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study,” NeuroRehabilitation 28, no. 4 (2011): 365–72, https://doi.org/10.3233/nre-2011-0665; Haimanot Melese et al., “Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials,” Journal of Pain Research 13 (May 2020): 1267–76, https://doi.org/10.2147%2FJPR.S249567.
6. A. Sayed et al., “Comparative Study between the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Pressure Garment on Secondary Upper Extremity Lymphedema and Quality of Life Following Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” Integrative Cancer Therapies 18, no. 1 (January–December 2019): Article 1534735419847276, https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735419847276.