Does Athletic Tape Really Work? Here's What Experts Say

The benefits of kinesiology tape, nan colorful portion stretched crossed nan limbs of seemingly each jock these days, whitethorn beryllium much successful nan mind than successful nan muscles.

In a new, ample analysis, published Tuesday successful BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, Chinese researchers reviewed much than 100 studies involving 15,812 participants who utilized kinesiology portion therapy for musculoskeletal disorders, including arthritis, osteoporosis and back and cervix pain.

Kinesiology tape, besides called KT tape, is simply a flexible, adhesive fabric portion often seen attached to athletes’ joints, limbs aliases awesome musculus areas. It’s promoted arsenic a treatment for and protection against sports injuries, to stabilize joints and negociate pain. Tennis champion Serena Williams has worn it connected her feature and Olympic athletes, particularly women's volleyball players, usage it each over.

The caller study concluded that nan portion whitethorn supply contiguous and short-term alleviation for symptom and whitethorn amended nan usability of nan limbs, but nan grounds is “very uncertain” and nan wide effects of kinesiology portion are inconsistent.

The researchers, who didn’t respond to a petition for comment, did statement that KT whitethorn “improve subjective outcomes” that whitethorn positively impact a patient’s performance. That uncovering “should not beryllium overlooked,” nan researchers wrote.

In different words, what’s apt really happening is simply a affirmative placebo effect, nan scientists suggested.

It’s not precisely clear really kinesiology portion works, but erstwhile investigation suggests it promotes treatment by lifting nan tegument astir nan injured ligament, which increases circulation. It besides whitethorn easiness symptom by reducing swelling and inflammation surrounding symptom receptors and humor vessels.

According to nan Cleveland Clinic, beingness therapists usually urge patients put portion connected their Achilles tendon, back, knee or nan soles of their feet.

KT portion whitethorn supply immoderate short-term relief, but “there’s a batch of fuzzy data” astir nan benefits, said Dr. Rachel Frank, a professor of orthopedic room astatine nan University of Colorado School of Medicine.

“This study is not showing there’s a immense objective benefit,” said Frank, who was not progressive successful nan caller research. “So usually erstwhile it’s recommended by a wellness attraction professional, KT taping is not a stand-alone treatment, and it surely doesn’t switch regimented rehabilitation and different curen protocols.”

Wearing KT for nan other 'edge'

In a 2021 online survey of members of nan National Athletic Trainers’ Association, nan Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy and nan American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy, 40% of respondents said they utilized nan portion arsenic a placebo for their patients.

A placebo effect tin thief group “feel better” moreover if nan portion has nary effect connected their physicality, Frank said.

That whitethorn not beryllium a bad thing, said Joshua Gellert, a beingness therapist and board-certified sports objective master astatine nan University of Washington School of Medicine.

The portion tin summation nan magnitude of “sensory feedback” successful nan body, which tin make group consciousness physically supported, said Gellert, who wasn’t progressive pinch nan caller research.

“It tin beforehand a emotion of safety,” he said. “If you weren’t emotion safe wrong your assemblage aft an injury, past that tin create a full multitude of unintentional compensation patterns aliases avoidance of motion.”

Gellert says nan other “edge” taping tin springiness is why master athletes often deterioration it connected nan field.

Should you usage KT tape?

Although KT tin origin tegument irritation, particularly successful older adults pinch thinner skin, if it helps you, support utilizing it.

After an injury, however, taping should beryllium a secondary therapy, nan experts said.

Similarly, nan caller study acknowledged that benefits from taping ray successful comparison to different interventions for illustration exercise.

For those who are injured, Gellert recommends nan “pillars of recovery,” which see due sleep, hydration and nutrition. Strength training and a high-protein fare are besides helpful.

“There’s a batch of things successful medicine wherever if they’re not causing harm and patients consciousness that they’re getting benefit, we don’t show them to put it down,” Frank said.