I've had some mild success with it
I've had some mild success with it
I thought we knew this a long time ago https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2182471/Kinesio-tape-Researchers-say-evidence-works.html
Cavorty wrote:
...it clearly wasn't psychosomatic in this instance.
Yes it was.
LOL of course it works – if applied correctly it takes off the static load from target muscle.
HaHa, it does work, it keeps my 13.1 sticker on my car.
I've used it successfully twice... once on a shoulder injury and then on an upper Achilles tendon injury where it connects to the calf... but I wouldn't recommend it.
Its uses are limited and getting the application just right is too hard. For example, to get it to work on the Achilles injury I had to: Shave my lower leg. Clean it with alcohol. Apply the tape starting at the arch, stretch it VERY tightly and attach it to the upper calf while plantar flexing the foot. Apply an anchor wrap around the upper calf to hold it in place. Apply an ankle wrap to hold it to the ankle just above the ankle bone. Then, if it was too loose or too tight, I'd have to start over and wrap it again. However, when it was just right, it reduced the pressure on the Achilles tendon and allowed me to continue training for the Huntsman World Games only six weeks away. I came away with a couple of golds and a bronze.
OTOH, I use athletic (coaches) tape often to stabilize a previous ankle tear, wrist ligament tear, and to provide arch support when my PF flares up. Coaches tape is great stuff. I buy it by the case.
it has been proven to work if you put it across your nose to protect from sunburn.
You can cover up scars, psoriasis or other skin blemishes with it.
Wear it as a visible signal that you will not do well in a race. 'Look at my excuse.'
Not sure if it helped keep that female triathlete warmer in the water. Too bad she did not have a tri wetsuit.
I know a PT who admits there is little evidence that it provides any physiological benefits, but she uses it on her patients because they tell her it helps.
Kinesiology tape has been used for many decades. I don't know what kind of research supports its efficacy, but it's obvious that it works for some conditions, when properly applied. It can make an instant, night-and-day difference as soon as it's applied.
KT tape is a very lightweight version that is widely marketed and comes in bright colors. I'm skeptical of its efficacy because it's not very strong. If you try to do the kind of tape jobs that are taught in athletic training courses, the tape will rip within minutes. It just can't take the tension.