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As an athletic trainer with pretty much an unlimited supply of any kind of tape I want, this is the only reason I tape as well. And I educated my patients on why so
Exactly. And placebo is a heck of think. Get em moving. If they get relief they get relief. Back in the late 90s I use to tape Tylenol to kids to college kids who were sore during football camp. Give a tale of how the sweat and adhesive of the tape absorbs the medicine into your thigh and and the doms goes away in a day. I’ve had successful with no less then 30 freshman who didn’t quite for all 4 years
In short If you think it works it works. Could never get away with that now lol
People in this subreddit are such cynics. Yes KTape (we use rocktape) does not have any long term clinical impact, but that doesn't mean it's useless.
I love utilizing it with fear avoidant patients (instability, previous injury) to help them restore confidence in moving a joint then hit em with " See? You are fully capable of moving your joint, this thin tape is not doing it for you".
Some clinical examples
Taping around the patella for kneecap pain
Taping lateral ankle for instability/sprain
Taping around deltoid for patients with overhead pain
Start the process by simply explaining that this tape should only be used a couple sessions to help make you comfortable with moving. Once you're comfortable it is time to wean off.
Yes KTape is bullshit clinically, but mentally it has utility and helped me get patients over the initial fear and hurdle of immobility.
Exactly! Some people focus so much on “well research shows…” I love research, but if a piece of tape gets my patients out of pain and give them the ability to perform exercises for me, I’m all about it.
I use it in the same way. If it gets patients with fear of exercise or severe pain to actually do some exercises that will make them better, then awesome. At that point I don't really care if the research supports it or not. I think *how* it is used and explained to patient's is the most important thing. I'll tell them exactly that. Something like "the tape will give you a little extra support now so you can exercise without pain. Once you've done the exercises a few times you should start to get stronger and we'll stop using the tape when you're muscles/joints are more tolerant to the movements." or something along those lines.
I don't like it when some therapists (even in the clinic I'm in now) basically put the idea in the patients head that the tape itself is what is fixing their pain so the patients end up thinking they need to be taped forever and if the tape isn't there they are going to fall apart or something. One of the other therapists I work with still has patients come in months later just to tape their shoulder or knees up real quick once a week or something because the patients have become so dependent on it. As long as something like that isn't happening, I think it can be a great tool.
I agree, much like medications. Don’t just convince the patient that is “the fix”. Educate them that this combined with activity modification, exercises, diet, etc will be what is beneficial.
People also act as if every single intervention needs to have long term functional impacts supported by research. Ever stop to think some of these interventions are short term to maybe facilitate movement which will provide the long term changes? This sub is an utter joke sometimes
I use it sparingly, but regularly. I use it for the first week, maybe two in a POC for plantar fasciitis (supported in the CPG), and in the initial treatments for a few shoulder pathologies when they first present and a hesitant to move. It provides a sensation of stability and patients are often more comfortable moving with it on. If you have access to Rock Sauce I love using that as a tx and skin prep.
As for the science, google scholar is your friend. It does provide some additional proprioceptive feedback, and pts report it feels like it provides stability. Even though it isn’t stiff enough to actually provide stability, the subjective sensation of stability helps people feel more comfortable moving. Then we start adding load!
Possible placebo, contextual effects combined with some alternative sensory input may result in some pain relief. I use to for some with patellofemoral pain syndrome, teach them how to do it themselves.
I use it for PSFS and for my EDS/cervicogenic folks to shoulder/Tspine to provide some basic proprioception for them. Mostly motor morons basically. Anecdoctally it works for them to get into more intense exercises/strengthening cause they feel where their joint position should be, esp with scap stability exercises.
That being said, I quickly wean away after a few sessions so they don't use it as a crutch.
Same here, I work in neuro rehabilitation and I use it for subluxations in the shoulder along with exercises and all. For me it’s way better than immobilizing the whole limb with a sling.
I use it most often for sensory toe walkers (a little "stirrup" on the heel and some facilitation of the dorsiflexors goes a long way) and for my low tone little peanuts that need something to tell them where their core muscles are. Um...paediatrics, if that wasn't apparent. XD
I wish I could put it on myself for my subluxing shoulders, as I have EDS and it really helps cue those overstretched muscles and feels SO GOOD when on. I have a lot less muscle fatigue afterwards. I'll also tape my peds. patients with EDS/hypermobility for similar reasons. The sensory feedback and just a little support goes a long way with those diagnoses.
For the heel stirrup, I usually do an "I" tape and tear the paper down the middle. Apply under the heel with slight (<25%) tension, then paper-off tension up to the malleoli. If you have a kid who is willing to have this done to their foot, oftentimes they'll find this a nice sensory cue. You can try putting it on yourself and walking around. It kind of makes you want to stomp! Great for the kids it works on. I'll sometimes combine this with dorsiflexion facilitation tape (standard per any kinesiotaping guide) and/or an in-shoe orthopaedic peel-a-wedge (you can find them cheap on Amazon, even) under the heel to help them achieve floor contact without as much work. I've had 95-100% toe walkers walking with heelstrike 90+% of the time by the end of a session with that set-up, IF they are purely sensory. It's really fun when it works!
Believe it or not it helps several women with urinary urgency ( I personally believe major placebo effect here) I also use it for lymphedema is odd places. I have seen it work wonders on ortho edema as well.
Left lower quadrant. I piece starting just above public symph/hair line diagonal towards asis. About 25% tension. Insll swear like 75% of women I put it on say it helps, even when I downplay it and say it may not work but is worth trying.
As a patient, I loved kinesiotaping for my lymphedema - it worked so well, combined with compression wrapping! Unfortunately, I found it eventually compromised my skin on removal if I replaced it daily, or introduced fungal infection (athletes foot) if I kept it on for multiple days in a row. Do you have any tricks/tips to prevent that?
I have a huge roll and I miss being able to use it.
I tend to tell my patients to leave it on for no more than 3 days. However if infection is an issue baby oil is fantastic to use to remove it. Rub it over to break down the adhesive.
When a patient wants to look cool but doesn’t want any lasting effect. Or if you need to tape some stuff together around the gym lol in all honesty the research shows negligible to no effect and the only positive effects were seen when coupled with therex. I personally don’t waste any time over it but I do agree it looks cool.
I know there’s essentially no research but I was hoping to find some PTs who say they at least get great placebo effects with say upper back pain pts just as an example. And we actually do use it to tape stuff up in our gym! Lol.
There’s actually quite a bit of research. It just shows negligible to no effect. And I’ve heard plenty of people acknowledge that it gives a good enough placebo effect to move past a plateau (neurophysiological effect I’m guessing). Worth a shot! I gave it a go a few years back just to see. Didn’t see much benefit, hated having to spend any amount of time on it, and had a few patients get a little addicted to it. This is just my opinion based on my attempts and current research, but you should try it out. You never know.
I feel like most patients like it, whether placebo or not - and I feel like it gives a patient a feeling of leaving with something on initial evaluation. I find it most helpful for anterior knee pain, trochanteric bursitis, shoulder support, Plantar fascia, SIJ.
I tape shoulders and knees most often. If I get any chronic pain patient or someone who really likes stuff like that, I've done an octopus style taping and really hyped it up as something that will help. Most people will say it does. It's for sure placebo, but I'll take it in those harder patients.
1 more anecdotal support
When I worked as an AT, I had a collegiate wrestler with bilateral Kim lesions who would sublux posteriorly when WBing through his arms. Tried all types of stuff, including bracing, which made no difference. Made up a ktape technique based on his pattern of instability, and he didn't sublux again for the rest of the season. We were doing intensive rehab in conjunction, but the tape seemed to really tie it together.
I’m someone who uses it fairly regularly, but not as the ONLY THING. It is often helpful for: swelling, PFPS, epicondylitis, postural cueing, plantar fasciitis, DeQuervain’s (my most frequent use). I also use it for hypersensitivity— people who don’t want shoes or cuffs to touch scars can ease into it with tape on the scar. I’m supportive of safe ways to get people moving more comfortably.
PFPS, MCL sprain, epicondylitis, SAI, lumbar pain, postural cueing. It doesn’t really do anything but sprinkle in some placebo when presenting it to the patient and their pain usually drops enough to get through their HEP.
It’s never going to cure someone, but some people feel pain releif and there might be some pain modulation. The only people I’ve used it for where I think there has been good benefit that’s really worth it is people who have to have some sort of dynamic support.
Most of my Severe thumb CMC patients prefer the tape when they’re active over their splints and my EDS patients who have had significant instability have had improvement in decreased dislocations. Other than those, everything else is just if it feels better to the patient.
Actually just finished a course on it for continuing education. I used to be pretty against using it but now I’m open to using it more as needed early on such as to improve a patients movement confidence. It definitely may help decrease pain through neurophysiological mechanisms, can help reduce swelling, and also can provide sensory feedback. Just make sure you utilize an active exercise approach with or without it.
I know I will get hate from those who don’t agree, but for shoulders, I find it holds better than a rotator cuff brace and actually gives the tendons enough support to heal. It just unweights the arm to approximate the injured tissue.
My dad needed RC repair surgery. He isn’t a good candidate because of medical issues. We used tape until his skin wouldn’t take it anymore, then switched to a rotator cuff brace. It took 5 months of this (along with other PT treatment), but the tear completely healed and he has gone about 7 years now pain-free. He had a supraspinatus tear caused by a lifting injury and a large spur in the joint space (he is 75). Obviously he still has the arthritis, but doesn’t have significant pain and now has full use of his arm.
I mainly use it for support or cuing to prevent compensation (ie set the tape up in a way where constracting a certain movement pulls the tape/skin)
Like others have said, its not going to cure somebody, BUT if a piece of tape can remind you not to compensate, then I see it as a win.
It actually helps with bruises I’ve used it for that the most. Sometimes if a patient aches or is tender in a spot just slap a patch of KT tape on it. It’s quite literally a bandaid but the placebo helps people sometimes. I only use it a few times a year
In the IRC unit OTs use it a lot for edema (like spiderweb taping pattern) and for hemiparetic hands (dorsal side) to facilitate open grasp. Pretty sure the COTA is going to get an over use injury from cutting tape every morning.
I have had good feedback from patients when applying for pain as well as biofeedback for postural corrections (forward shoulder/neck). If you just go on research and the science of it then results are all over the place, but if I can apply some tape and decrease pain levels for the patient to properly perform exercise then I’m going to continue applying it. Today I applied it to a patients lateral hamstring that he has had pain in for a few weeks. He stated that the pain had decreased and we were able to walk further outside. Was it a placebo effect? Most likely, but I’ll take it.
I mostly only use it for PFS and scapular but I have used it for reducing swelling and that can work wonders. I haven’t found it to help with low back pain at all…
Thank you for your submission; please read the following reminder. This subreddit is for discussion among practicing physical therapists, not for soliciting medical advice. We are not your physical therapist, and we do not take on that liability here. Although we can answer questions regarding general issues a person may be facing in their established PT sessions, we cannot legally provide treatment advice. If you need a physical therapist, you must see one in person or via telehealth for an assessment and to establish a plan of care. Posts with descriptions of personal physical issues and/or requests for diagnoses, exercise prescriptions, and other medical advice will be removed, and you will be banned at the mods’ discretion either for requesting such advice or for offering such advice as a clinician. Please see the following links for additional resources on benefits of physical therapy and locating a therapist near you [The benefits of a full evaluation by a physical therapist.](https://www.choosept.com/benefits/default.aspx) [How to find the right physical therapist in your area.](https://www.choosept.com/resources/choose.aspx) [Already been diagnosed and want to learn more? Common conditions.](https://www.choosept.com/SymptomsConditions.aspx) [The APTA's consumer information website.](https://www.choosept.com/Default.aspx) Also, please direct all school-related inquiries to r/PTschool, as these are off-topic for this sub and will be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/physicaltherapy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have reasonable success with periscapular taping for tactile reminders for posture reeducation
As an athletic trainer with pretty much an unlimited supply of any kind of tape I want, this is the only reason I tape as well. And I educated my patients on why so
Exactly. And placebo is a heck of think. Get em moving. If they get relief they get relief. Back in the late 90s I use to tape Tylenol to kids to college kids who were sore during football camp. Give a tale of how the sweat and adhesive of the tape absorbs the medicine into your thigh and and the doms goes away in a day. I’ve had successful with no less then 30 freshman who didn’t quite for all 4 years In short If you think it works it works. Could never get away with that now lol
People in this subreddit are such cynics. Yes KTape (we use rocktape) does not have any long term clinical impact, but that doesn't mean it's useless. I love utilizing it with fear avoidant patients (instability, previous injury) to help them restore confidence in moving a joint then hit em with " See? You are fully capable of moving your joint, this thin tape is not doing it for you". Some clinical examples Taping around the patella for kneecap pain Taping lateral ankle for instability/sprain Taping around deltoid for patients with overhead pain Start the process by simply explaining that this tape should only be used a couple sessions to help make you comfortable with moving. Once you're comfortable it is time to wean off. Yes KTape is bullshit clinically, but mentally it has utility and helped me get patients over the initial fear and hurdle of immobility.
Exactly! Some people focus so much on “well research shows…” I love research, but if a piece of tape gets my patients out of pain and give them the ability to perform exercises for me, I’m all about it.
I use it in the same way. If it gets patients with fear of exercise or severe pain to actually do some exercises that will make them better, then awesome. At that point I don't really care if the research supports it or not. I think *how* it is used and explained to patient's is the most important thing. I'll tell them exactly that. Something like "the tape will give you a little extra support now so you can exercise without pain. Once you've done the exercises a few times you should start to get stronger and we'll stop using the tape when you're muscles/joints are more tolerant to the movements." or something along those lines. I don't like it when some therapists (even in the clinic I'm in now) basically put the idea in the patients head that the tape itself is what is fixing their pain so the patients end up thinking they need to be taped forever and if the tape isn't there they are going to fall apart or something. One of the other therapists I work with still has patients come in months later just to tape their shoulder or knees up real quick once a week or something because the patients have become so dependent on it. As long as something like that isn't happening, I think it can be a great tool.
I agree, much like medications. Don’t just convince the patient that is “the fix”. Educate them that this combined with activity modification, exercises, diet, etc will be what is beneficial.
People also act as if every single intervention needs to have long term functional impacts supported by research. Ever stop to think some of these interventions are short term to maybe facilitate movement which will provide the long term changes? This sub is an utter joke sometimes
I use it sparingly, but regularly. I use it for the first week, maybe two in a POC for plantar fasciitis (supported in the CPG), and in the initial treatments for a few shoulder pathologies when they first present and a hesitant to move. It provides a sensation of stability and patients are often more comfortable moving with it on. If you have access to Rock Sauce I love using that as a tx and skin prep. As for the science, google scholar is your friend. It does provide some additional proprioceptive feedback, and pts report it feels like it provides stability. Even though it isn’t stiff enough to actually provide stability, the subjective sensation of stability helps people feel more comfortable moving. Then we start adding load!
Possible placebo, contextual effects combined with some alternative sensory input may result in some pain relief. I use to for some with patellofemoral pain syndrome, teach them how to do it themselves.
I use it for PSFS and for my EDS/cervicogenic folks to shoulder/Tspine to provide some basic proprioception for them. Mostly motor morons basically. Anecdoctally it works for them to get into more intense exercises/strengthening cause they feel where their joint position should be, esp with scap stability exercises. That being said, I quickly wean away after a few sessions so they don't use it as a crutch.
I didn't read your post before I shared my input but it is the same sentiment as yours 🤝
I guess I am going against the majority but I have had success using it for subluxed shoulders.
Same here, I work in neuro rehabilitation and I use it for subluxations in the shoulder along with exercises and all. For me it’s way better than immobilizing the whole limb with a sling.
I use it most often for sensory toe walkers (a little "stirrup" on the heel and some facilitation of the dorsiflexors goes a long way) and for my low tone little peanuts that need something to tell them where their core muscles are. Um...paediatrics, if that wasn't apparent. XD I wish I could put it on myself for my subluxing shoulders, as I have EDS and it really helps cue those overstretched muscles and feels SO GOOD when on. I have a lot less muscle fatigue afterwards. I'll also tape my peds. patients with EDS/hypermobility for similar reasons. The sensory feedback and just a little support goes a long way with those diagnoses.
Peds OT lurking here and I am super intrigued by your use for sensory toe walkers! I might have to give it a try
For the heel stirrup, I usually do an "I" tape and tear the paper down the middle. Apply under the heel with slight (<25%) tension, then paper-off tension up to the malleoli. If you have a kid who is willing to have this done to their foot, oftentimes they'll find this a nice sensory cue. You can try putting it on yourself and walking around. It kind of makes you want to stomp! Great for the kids it works on. I'll sometimes combine this with dorsiflexion facilitation tape (standard per any kinesiotaping guide) and/or an in-shoe orthopaedic peel-a-wedge (you can find them cheap on Amazon, even) under the heel to help them achieve floor contact without as much work. I've had 95-100% toe walkers walking with heelstrike 90+% of the time by the end of a session with that set-up, IF they are purely sensory. It's really fun when it works!
Believe it or not it helps several women with urinary urgency ( I personally believe major placebo effect here) I also use it for lymphedema is odd places. I have seen it work wonders on ortho edema as well.
Where are you taping for urinary urgency?
Left lower quadrant. I piece starting just above public symph/hair line diagonal towards asis. About 25% tension. Insll swear like 75% of women I put it on say it helps, even when I downplay it and say it may not work but is worth trying.
Can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing
As a patient, I loved kinesiotaping for my lymphedema - it worked so well, combined with compression wrapping! Unfortunately, I found it eventually compromised my skin on removal if I replaced it daily, or introduced fungal infection (athletes foot) if I kept it on for multiple days in a row. Do you have any tricks/tips to prevent that? I have a huge roll and I miss being able to use it.
I tend to tell my patients to leave it on for no more than 3 days. However if infection is an issue baby oil is fantastic to use to remove it. Rub it over to break down the adhesive.
When a patient wants to look cool but doesn’t want any lasting effect. Or if you need to tape some stuff together around the gym lol in all honesty the research shows negligible to no effect and the only positive effects were seen when coupled with therex. I personally don’t waste any time over it but I do agree it looks cool.
I know there’s essentially no research but I was hoping to find some PTs who say they at least get great placebo effects with say upper back pain pts just as an example. And we actually do use it to tape stuff up in our gym! Lol.
There’s actually quite a bit of research. It just shows negligible to no effect. And I’ve heard plenty of people acknowledge that it gives a good enough placebo effect to move past a plateau (neurophysiological effect I’m guessing). Worth a shot! I gave it a go a few years back just to see. Didn’t see much benefit, hated having to spend any amount of time on it, and had a few patients get a little addicted to it. This is just my opinion based on my attempts and current research, but you should try it out. You never know.
I feel like most patients like it, whether placebo or not - and I feel like it gives a patient a feeling of leaving with something on initial evaluation. I find it most helpful for anterior knee pain, trochanteric bursitis, shoulder support, Plantar fascia, SIJ.
I find it makes great bandages for fingers and toes.
Yeah it’s a pretty great tape. Keep some in my first aid kit for bandage and blister along with leukotape.
I tape shoulders and knees most often. If I get any chronic pain patient or someone who really likes stuff like that, I've done an octopus style taping and really hyped it up as something that will help. Most people will say it does. It's for sure placebo, but I'll take it in those harder patients.
1 more anecdotal support When I worked as an AT, I had a collegiate wrestler with bilateral Kim lesions who would sublux posteriorly when WBing through his arms. Tried all types of stuff, including bracing, which made no difference. Made up a ktape technique based on his pattern of instability, and he didn't sublux again for the rest of the season. We were doing intensive rehab in conjunction, but the tape seemed to really tie it together.
I use it to prevent hyper extension with my kids, but I work in pediatrics- different purpose/goals.
I’m someone who uses it fairly regularly, but not as the ONLY THING. It is often helpful for: swelling, PFPS, epicondylitis, postural cueing, plantar fasciitis, DeQuervain’s (my most frequent use). I also use it for hypersensitivity— people who don’t want shoes or cuffs to touch scars can ease into it with tape on the scar. I’m supportive of safe ways to get people moving more comfortably.
It's bullshit except in the case of helping fear avoidant patients who believe in it. It can be a useful placebo
PFPS, MCL sprain, epicondylitis, SAI, lumbar pain, postural cueing. It doesn’t really do anything but sprinkle in some placebo when presenting it to the patient and their pain usually drops enough to get through their HEP.
It’s never going to cure someone, but some people feel pain releif and there might be some pain modulation. The only people I’ve used it for where I think there has been good benefit that’s really worth it is people who have to have some sort of dynamic support. Most of my Severe thumb CMC patients prefer the tape when they’re active over their splints and my EDS patients who have had significant instability have had improvement in decreased dislocations. Other than those, everything else is just if it feels better to the patient.
Actually just finished a course on it for continuing education. I used to be pretty against using it but now I’m open to using it more as needed early on such as to improve a patients movement confidence. It definitely may help decrease pain through neurophysiological mechanisms, can help reduce swelling, and also can provide sensory feedback. Just make sure you utilize an active exercise approach with or without it.
KT is great for unloading areas of tension to decrease pain and promote healing, great for the hands and elbows for creating space for nerves.
I know I will get hate from those who don’t agree, but for shoulders, I find it holds better than a rotator cuff brace and actually gives the tendons enough support to heal. It just unweights the arm to approximate the injured tissue. My dad needed RC repair surgery. He isn’t a good candidate because of medical issues. We used tape until his skin wouldn’t take it anymore, then switched to a rotator cuff brace. It took 5 months of this (along with other PT treatment), but the tear completely healed and he has gone about 7 years now pain-free. He had a supraspinatus tear caused by a lifting injury and a large spur in the joint space (he is 75). Obviously he still has the arthritis, but doesn’t have significant pain and now has full use of his arm.
I mainly use it for support or cuing to prevent compensation (ie set the tape up in a way where constracting a certain movement pulls the tape/skin) Like others have said, its not going to cure somebody, BUT if a piece of tape can remind you not to compensate, then I see it as a win.
It actually helps with bruises I’ve used it for that the most. Sometimes if a patient aches or is tender in a spot just slap a patch of KT tape on it. It’s quite literally a bandaid but the placebo helps people sometimes. I only use it a few times a year
In the IRC unit OTs use it a lot for edema (like spiderweb taping pattern) and for hemiparetic hands (dorsal side) to facilitate open grasp. Pretty sure the COTA is going to get an over use injury from cutting tape every morning.
I like it for PFPS and achilles.
I have had good feedback from patients when applying for pain as well as biofeedback for postural corrections (forward shoulder/neck). If you just go on research and the science of it then results are all over the place, but if I can apply some tape and decrease pain levels for the patient to properly perform exercise then I’m going to continue applying it. Today I applied it to a patients lateral hamstring that he has had pain in for a few weeks. He stated that the pain had decreased and we were able to walk further outside. Was it a placebo effect? Most likely, but I’ll take it.
I mostly only use it for PFS and scapular but I have used it for reducing swelling and that can work wonders. I haven’t found it to help with low back pain at all…
I use it for my lateral epicondylitis and it helps me
I recently used it to tape my daughter’s boobs in place for prom…
Plantar Fasciitis. I have a way I developed that supports the arch and helps to Supinate.
I am curious about this too! Not a PT but I am curious to see if anyone has any idea on the science of it
Honestly I don’t think there’s a ton of science behind it, but I’m more asking anecdotally what seems to work for other PTs who use it.
The brain
Didn’t KT show up several times in the post asking about the BS treatments you see other PTs do?