Kenisiology Taping - is it worth it?
What does taping do?
Kinesiology tape can be provided by clinicians to provide support to joints and soft tissue areas whilst still being able to participate in physical activities. Taping aims to decrease pain and inflammation, increase circulation, improve support on a joint whilst maintaining athletic performance. Looking at a study conducted by Aghapour et al. on Kinesiology taping being used specifically for patients with Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) results showed a significant increase in Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) peak torque activity and increased pain free repetition of a step-down test and bilateral squat. Overall, presenting as increased muscle function. Pain levels were also significantly decreased after taping applications from the provided neurological suppression through stimulation of surrounding cutaneous mechanoreceptors.
Contrastingly, other studies such as one conducted by Akbas et al. shows that exercises alone can have the same effects as using the same exercises and taping as a combined treatment method . Providing us with the view that taping alone will not benefit all pathologies however, some pathologies will experience greater improvements when used in a supportive way.
Looking into the psychological aspects of taping, some might argue that application alone can cause athletes to believe that they have enhanced performance and increased confidence to load their irritated joint/muscle. This raises the question that taping might not only have a physical effect but also a psychological one too.
Who would it be most beneficial for?
This is very individual, as previously discussed there is greater levels of evidence for the effectiveness of taping for certain pathologies including PFPS and thus each patient is given an individualised approach to whether it might be effective for them. We have also experienced that taping can be quite effective in the acute phase of an injury to provide support to an area and increase the proprioception within the area.
Is taping the solution?
Looking at the pathology in the long-term taping is rarely a fix and is part of a multi-model package of care. The skill lies in the physiotherapists / student’s assessment of what might be the cause of the issues, whether that be muscle weakness, hypermobility, stiffness or maladaptive movement patterns.
Rather than falling into a cycle where you can become reliant on taping both physically and psychologically attempting to treat the effects instead of cause. Although it may be beneficial to provide taping as an option alongside other treatment techniques to support a period of recovery.
References
Aghapour, E., Kamali, F. and Sinaei, E., 2017. Effects of Kinesio Taping® on knee function and pain in athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 21(4), pp.835-839.
Akbas, E., Ahmet, A.T.A.Y. and Yuksel, I., 2011. The effects of additional kinesio taping over exercise in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Acta orthopaedica et traumatologica turcica, 45(5), pp.335-341.