When to Use Wholesale Kinesiology Tape？

You may have seen the colorful tape on Olympic athletes, other elite athletes, or even dedicated high school players. As a rehabilitative tool used in sports medicine and by clinicians, it's natural to wonder about what kinesiology tape is, why people use it, and how to implement it for your patients. Learn everything you need to know in Kinesiology Tape 101!

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The Basics

Kinesiology Tape Research: Get the Facts About Kinesio Taping

Choosing Your Kinesiology Tape

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape

The Basics

What is kinesiology tape?

Kinesiology tape is a therapeutic tape that is used to support muscles and joints and help reduce pain. It is often used by athletic trainers, athletes, and physical therapists.

What are the kinesiology tape benefits? Why do people use it?

People state that there are a variety of benefits that kinesio taping offers. Some of these are supported by studies while research has not validated other claims. Kinesiology tape is often used to:

• Reduce or relieve pain
• Increase blood flow
• Reduce swelling
• Decrease inflammation
• Other claims about muscle activation, circulatory, and proprioceptive mechanisms

Kinesiology Tape Research: Get the Facts About Kinesio Taping

Kinesiology Tape’s Proven Benefits

So, what are the kinesiology tape benefits? Check out the research below to learn more about the tape’s proven benefits. We’ll also cover some advantages kinesiology tape doesn’t seem to have.

• Pain Relief
• Kinesio tape applied after DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) significantly decreased pain and increased range of motion compared to the no tape condition1
• Another study found that kinesiology tape may be an effective pain relief intervention similar to ice or heat, but should be used alongside other proven therapies like exercise or manual therapy (rather than in lieu of)8
• Reduced Swelling
• Kinesiology tape and physical therapy (PT) for 4 weeks resulted in significantly reduced pain and swelling compared to PT alone1
• Studies have found that using kinesiology tape to reduce swelling resulted in faster reduction of edema2
• Increased Blood Flow
• Kinesiology tape increased blood flow to the skin where it was applied3
• However, tape tension and convolutions (hills and valleys created on the skin where the tape was applied) did not significantly affect the outcome
• Older Adult Fall Risk
• Kinesiology tape improved dynamic surface balance when applied to the lower leg of women with a history of falling1
• But it did not improve balance on stable surfaces

Research on Applying Tape

• Tension
• Lower tape tensions are associated with stronger effects4
• One study found no effect on shoulder pain or function when progressively increasing tape tension each week (0 > 25% > 50% > 75%)1
• Specific Patterns
• There is no evidence comparing specific patterns for specific diagnoses, many studies on the same diagnosis use different tape patterns and more research is needed on tape patterns4
• Convolutions
• There is no evidence that K tape application lifts the skin. One study found that convolutions were not needed to reduce back pain. There are no studies looking at blood flow below the superficial skin4
• Certain Directions
• The direction of kinesio tape application does NOT change muscle activation or strength4

How does kinesiology tape work?

How does kinesiology tape work? Honestly, we really don’t know, but there are several theories on how it might work.

Possible Theories

• Gate Control Theory: When you apply tape on top of the skin, the sensation is sent into the central nervous system, and overrides the pain signal so it doesn’t reach the brain
• Changing muscle activation
• Increasing circulation

Choosing Your Kinesiology Tape

Looking for the best kinesiology tape? There are several brands of tape, but here are a few reasons why we think THERABAND Kinesiology Tape is the best choice.

1. It has best in class adhesion. You want a tape that will stick during exercise, showers, and daily life for up to 5 days.

• One study compared the adhesion of 3 brands of kinesiology tape over 5 days. The study found that THERABAND Kinesiology Tape did not significantly change in adhesion over 5 days (retaining 70-76% of its original adhesion). In contrast, both Kinesiotex® and KT Tape® brands significantly declined to 59% and 35% adhesion, respectively.5

2. It’s easy to apply with the correct tension.

• THERABAND Kinesiology Tape has Xact Stretch Indicators that make it easy to tell when your tape is stretched 25% and 50%, just look at the hexagons on the tape. (This information is on the back of the tape too in case you need a reminder during application.)

3. No latex and non-irritating formula

• THERABAND Kinesiology tape has a low level of irritation making it a little safer for people with sensitive skin who want to use tape

4. It’s backed by a company that researches and supports its products

• Check out our THERABAND Academy database where you can search research on kinesiology tape

Choosing the Right Kinesio Tape

Whether you’re an athlete or a large clinic, we’ve got the right size for you. Start by choosing from 4 sizes.

Choose between 8 colors. Matching a team color? Want your favorite color? Looking for a neutral color? We’ve got you covered!

Beige/Beige

Black/Black

Black/Grey

Black/White

Blue/Blue

Electric Green/Yellow

Hot Red/Black

Pink/White

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape

How much tension should I use? When to Use 25% vs 50%

THERABAND Kinesiology Tape makes it easy to ensure you get the right amount of stretch, just follow the indicators.

• Stretch to 25% or less for...
• Acute conditions to help reduce swelling and inflammation and for neurological effects6,7
• Stretch to 50% or less for...
• Subacute care to help support muscles or joints or reduce pain7
• Learn more about tape tension in the infographic or video below

What are the main types of kinesiology tape cuts?

There are 3 common cuts used in kinesiology tape application.

1. The I-Cut: The most used kinesiology tape cut. The precut strip roll is all I-Cuts which can easily be turned into Y or Fan cuts too.

2. The Y-Cut: Used for larger areas

3. The Fan Cut: Used to reduce swelling

Learn how to make these cuts and when to use them in the video below!

Basic Tape Application Tips

1. Prepare the skin

• Clean and dry the skin
• Remove any excess hair

• Cut an appropriate length of tape and round the edges. Remember, if you’re applying tension the tape should be slightly shorter than the length of where it’s being applied
• Tear the backing leaving 2-4 centimeters on each end for anchors. Each grid marker on the back of the tape is 2 cm. Create two little tears on each side of the backing and then gently pull to separate the two pieces while keeping the backing on the tape

• Remove the backing from one anchor end and apply the anchor without tension. Gently rub the tape to activate the adhesive
• Don’t touch the adhesive or it won’t stick as well

• Remove more of the backing leaving 2-4 cm at the end as the second anchor
• Use the TheraBand Xact Stretch Indicators to apply with 25% or 50% tension and then gently rub the tape
• Remove the rest of the backing and apply the anchor with no tension and then rub it

• Use the shiny side of the backing to rub the entire length of the tape and activate the adhesive

• You can shower or swim with the tape applied, just pat it dry afterwards
• If your skin has any redness, itching, or irritation, remove the tape. You may be allergic to the adhesive

See these kinesiology tape application steps in action below!

Kinesiology Tape Application Videos

Ready to apply your tape? Follow along with the videos below.

Knee

Ankle

Achilles

Plantar Fasciitis

Postural Correction

Quad and Knee

Shoulder: Muscular/Neurological

Lower Back

Neck

Shoulder: Neurological/Structural

Fan Cut to Reduce Swelling

The company is the world’s best Wholesale Kinesiology Tape supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Criss-Cross Pattern to Reduce Swelling

References

1. Page, Phil. (n.d.). Kinesiology Taping in Clinical Populations: Does it Work #TapeTuesday. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3n4VZJX
2. Moore, R. (October ). How to Use Kinesiology Tape to Reduce Swelling. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2K9ISsg
3. Turner, S. (October ). Does Kinesiology Tape Really Increase Blood Flow? Don’t Stretch to Conclusions. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/39WHnsr
4. Page, P. (April ). Can You Handle the Truth about Kinesiology Taping? #TapeTuesday. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2JPW9qf
5. Topp, R. et al. (May ). Adhesion Of Three Brands Of Elastic Therapeutic Tape. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3nfKgsl
6. Moore, R. (February ). Kinesiology Tape Tension Guidelines #TapeTuesday. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3oBd7aD
7. Moore, R. (July ). Does Kinesiology Tape Tension Matter?. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/3a44ocO
8. Page, P. (March ). Evidence supports the clinical use of kinesiology tape to reduce pain. Performance Health Academy. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/33X6SWN

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Kinesiology tape may provide support, reduce pain and swelling, and have other benefits. Some people use it to treat injuries and improve performance.

Today, there are more than 50 brands of kinesiology tape on the market, but the original product, Kinesio tape or Kinesio Tex Tape, was developed in the late s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor who wanted a tape that provided support but didn’t limit movement the way traditional athletic tapes do.

If you’ve watched a volleyball game or competitive bicycle race, you’ve probably seen it: strips of colorful tape splayed in patterns across shoulders, knees, backs, and abs. That’s kinesiology tape: a therapeutic tape that’s applied strategically to the body to provide support, lessen pain, reduce swelling, and improve performance.

Enthusiasts report success achieving these aims, but so far, there needs to be more research to say with certainty what taping can and cannot do.

Here’s what we know about how physical and sports therapists use it, its benefits, tips and what to know.

Kinesiology tape is really stretchy.

Kase created Kinesio tape 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.

Creates space in joints

One small study with 32 participants showed that when kinesiology tape was applied over the knee, it increased the space in the knee joint.

A similar study showed kinesiology tape also increased the space in the shoulder joint. Even though the increase in space is slight, it helps reduce the chance of joint irritation.

May change signals on pain pathways

Some physical therapists think the tape changes the information your sensory nervous system is sending about pain and compression in your body.

Dr. Megann Schooley, board-certified clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and certified strength and conditioning specialist, explains it this way:

“All of your tissues — skin, connective tissue, fascia, muscles — contain sensory receptors that feel pain, temperature, and touch. Those receptors all contribute to proprioception—your brain’s sense of where your body is and what it’s doing. Kinesiology taping creates a lift that unloads the underlying tissues. Decompressing those tissues can change the signals going to the brain. When the brain receives a different signal, it’s going to respond differently,” Schooley says.

Trigger points are a good example. Physical therapists have used kinesiology tape to lift the skin over these tense, knotted muscles. When the area is decompressed, pain receptors send a new signal to the brain, and tension in the trigger point decreases.

A study showed that trigger point pain was reduced and flexibility increased for people when kinesiology tape and manual pressure were used together.Chao YW, et al. (). Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point.
kinesiotaping.com/wp-content/uploads//11/Chao-Lin-.pdf

May improve circulation of blood and fluids

If you’ve been injured, kinesiology tape might help improve circulation and reduce swelling in the area where you’re hurt.

A study showed that kinesiology taping can improve blood flow in the skin.Craighead DH, et al. (). Kinesiology tape modestly increases skin blood flow regardless of tape application technique.
performancehealthresearch.com/article/ It may also improve circulation of lymphatic fluids. Lymphatic fluid is mostly water, but it also contains proteins, bacteria, and other chemicals. The lymphatic system is the way your body regulates swelling and fluid buildup.

The theory is that when kinesiology tape is applied, it creates extra subcutaneous space, which changes the pressure gradient in the area underneath your skin. That change in pressure enhances the flow of lymphatic fluid.

Studies have had mixed results. In two recent studies, kinesiology tape reduced fluid buildup in women who underwent breast cancer treatment and people who had total knee replacements.Malicka I, et al. (). Kinesiology taping reduces lymphedema of the upper extremity in women after breast cancer treatment: a pilot study. DOI:
10./pm..Deniz GH, et al. (). THU-HPR Comparison of kinesio tape application and manual lymphatic drainage on lower extremity oedema and functions after total knee arthroplasty. https://ard.bmj.com/content/77/Suppl_2/.1

Changing the flow of lymphatic fluid could help bruises heal faster. Although there are few studies to confirm this effect, anecdotally some people report that when they’ve removed tape from bruised body parts, the areas under the tape were a different color than the un-taped areas.

Treating injuries

Physical therapists sometimes use kinesiology taping as one part of an overall treatment plan for people who’ve been injured. The American Physical Therapy Association reports that kinesiology taping is most effective when it’s used in conjunction with other treatments like manual therapy.Study says therapeutic taping no better than other approaches to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain, disability. (). http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News//2/20/TapingSystematicReview/

“We use kinesiology taping to mitigate pain and swelling,” Schooley says, “but it’s always used as an adjunct to what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Supporting weak zones

Kinesiology tape is also used to add extra support to muscles or joints that need it. If you have patellofemoral stress syndrome, IT band friction syndrome, or Achilles tendonitis, kinesiology taping might help you.

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.

Re-educating muscles

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.Shih HS, et al. (). Effects of kinesio taping and exercise on forward head posture. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ And a study supports using it to help stroke patients improve the way they walk.Sung Y-B, et al. (). Effects of taping and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for stance phase duration of stroke patients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/

Physical 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.

Enhancing performance

Some athletes use kinesiology taping to help them achieve peak performance and protect against injury when they’re competing in special events.

“A lot of runners use this tape every time they run a marathon,” Schooley says. “We sometimes place the tape along the glute as a way of ‘waking up’ the muscle and reminding it to keep working.”

Managing scars

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.Karwacinska J, et al. (). Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on hypertrophic scars, keloids and scar contractures. DOI:
10./j.poamed..04.010 This is definitely a treatment you should discuss with a doctor first.

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.

There are some circumstances in which kinesiology tape should not be used. They include the following.

• Open wounds. Using tape over a wound could lead to infection or skin damage.
• Deep vein thrombosis. Increasing fluid flow could cause a blood clot to dislodge, which might be fatal.
• Active cancer. Increasing blood supply to a cancerous growth could be dangerous.
• Lymph node removal. Increasing fluid where a node is missing could cause swelling.
• Diabetes. If you have reduced sensation in some areas, you might not notice a reaction to the tape.
• Allergy. If your skin is sensitive to adhesives, you could trigger a strong reaction.
• Fragile skin. If your skin is prone to tearing, you should avoid placing tape on it.

You should always consult with a physical therapist who is trained in the proper application of kinesiology tape before you try to put it on yourself.

A physical therapist will show you how to apply the tape in the pattern that will help your specific problem. Tape can be applied in an X, Y, I, or fan pattern, depending on your goals. You may also need both stabilization and decompression strips.

Your physical therapist can watch you practice applying and removing the tape before you try it at home.

“Taping is not a permanent solution,” Schooley says. “You want to build your strength and skill, because correcting the root problem is key.”

To apply the tape, remember these steps:

• Clean and dry the area first. Lotions and oils can prevent the tape from sticking.
• Trim excess hair. Fine hair shouldn’t be a problem, but dense hair could keep the tape from getting a good grip on your skin.
• For most treatments, you’ll start by tearing the backing paper in the center.
• Cut rounded corners at the ends of each strip if they don’t already have them. The rounded corners are less likely to get snagged against clothing; and helps to keep the tape on longer.
• When you apply the first tab to anchor the strip, let the end recoil slightly after you take off the backing paper. You don’t want any stretch in the last two inches at either end, because those tabs are just to hold the tape in place. If you stretch the ends, the tape will pull your skin, which could cause irritation or make the tape detach sooner.
• Keep your fingers on the packing paper to hold the tape. Touching the adhesive part will make it less sticky.
• Your therapist can let you know how much stretch to use in the treatment area. To get a 75 percent stretch, extend the tape as far as it will go and then release it about a quarter of its length.
• When you stretch the tape, use the whole length of your thumb across the tape to get an even stretch.
• After you apply the tape, rub the strip vigorously for several seconds. Heat activates the glue. Full adhesion usually takes around 20 minutes.

If you’re wearing the tape longer than a few days, it may begin loosening on its own. Here are some tips for getting the tape off without hurting your skin.

• Apply some oil (like baby oil or olive oil) or lotion on top of the tape to loosen the strip.
• Remove it slowly. Don’t yank. Don’t pull up.
• After nudging up one end of the strip, press down on your skin to separate it from the tape.
• Pull the tape back against itself, rather than straight up away from you. Compress your skin gently while pulling the tape back in the direction of the end tab.
• Walk your fingers along your skin as you go.
• If your skin is irritated or damaged, don’t reapply tape. Consider talking talk to your physical therapist or doctor.

Will the tape harm my skin?

The adhesive on major brands is latex-free and hypoallergenic, so it shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction if it’s applied properly and if you don’t have sensitivities. It’s probably a good idea to apply a test strip first, just to be on the safe side.

Although the effectiveness of kinesiology taping is not well researched, it may provide support, increase circulation, reduce pain, and improve the way your joints and muscles work.

Before using it, you should talk to a physical therapist, because it’s most useful when combined with other treatment methods.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Sports Tape. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.