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Kinesiology tape: physiotherapy miracle or placebo effect?

17.8.2022

Translation: Veronica Bielawski

In a space between placebo and physiotherapy exists the art of kinesiology taping. In addition to providing colourful accents on the skin, KT tape promises to help stabilise your joints, relax your muscles or make returning to your favourite sport safer. But where did these elastic bands come from and just why are they so widespread in physiotherapy?

Kinesiology tapes make a plethora of promises: the colourful, elastic cotton snippets can purportedly be used to stabilise a joint or relax the muscles, stimulate the lymphatic system or support the body after an operation. The different colours are supposed to be compatible with colour theory and have a cooling or warming effect. But is there any merit to KT tape? Where did it come from and what does it really do to our body? I spoke to physiotherapist Katharina Listmayr from the Medizinzentrum Alserstraße (Alserstraße medical centre) in Vienna. She explained the application and effect of the tape as well as the importance of the placebo effect.

Where did KT tape come from?

KT tape isn’t a new invention. In fact, it dates back to 1973 and the Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase. Today, they’re an integral part of orthopaedics and traumatology, where they find a wide range of applications.

When does KT tape come into play?

«There are different uses, for example lymphatic, muscular or postoperative,» explains Katharina Listmayr. As an expert in the fields of orthopaedics and traumatology, Listmayr regularly uses KT tape as part of her treatments. «I use it primarily postoperatively in the case of swelling or returning to a sport.» According to Listmayr, the colourful tape has shown to be especially effective in cases of sports injury. Patients are often insecure after surgery and feel much safer returning to sports with the tape. Kinesiology tape also leads to amazing results on patients with severe swelling. «We tried applying KT tape to a patient with a large haematoma. The swelling did indeed go down directly around the tape line,» Listmayr says.

How exactly does KT tape work?

According to Listmayr, the main mechanism of action of KT tape is the tugging at the site where it’s applied. The small waves that are created on the skin act like a kind of permanent massage, loosening the muscles and stimulating microcirculation, i.e. circulation between the smallest blood vessels between the skin and muscles. In addition, there’s a significant psychological component that Listmayr says shouldn’t be underestimated. «The placebo effect has been proved. We work with it quite a bit in kinesiology taping. When everyday movements become a challenge after surgery, applying the tape can act as psychological support for the patient,» Listmayr explains.

What’s up with the different colours of KT tape?

Part of the effect is also attributed to the different colours of tape and relies on classical colour theory. Blue is said to have a cooling effect and is therefore particularly suitable for treating swelling, while red and black are warming colours and would therefore be more suitable to relieve muscle tension. Listmayr takes a critical view of this. «We’re back at the placebo effect,» she says. «If I believe that blue has a cooling effect and then I see the blue tape on my wrist, then that can work. But there are no differences between the tapes, neither in tensile strength nor material.»

Tips for KT taping at home

«KT taping is a treatment that patients can’t go wrong with at home,» says Listmayr. Once you know how to apply the tape, you can do so yourself at home. In terms of quality, there’s no difference in tape from the pharmacy, from a physiotherapy practice or the drugstore. «When purchasing tape, it’s really all about the adhesive. It’s important to clarify whether you’re allergic to it. Other than that, the tape is suitable for everyone.»

Kinesio tape

Truetape Athlete Edition

0.25 m

Kinesio tape

K-Tape Original

5 m

Kinesio tape

Opro OPROtec

5 m

Kinesio tape

Truetape Athlete Edition

Kinesio tape

K-Tape Original

Kinesio tape

Opro OPROtec

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Olivia Leimpeters-Leth

Autorin von customize mediahouse

oliver.fischer@digitecgalaxus.ch

I'm a sucker for flowery turns of phrase and allegorical language. Clever metaphors are my Kryptonite – even if, sometimes, it's better to just get to the point. Everything I write is edited by my cat, which I reckon is more «pet humanisation» than metaphor. When I'm not at my desk, I enjoy going hiking, taking part in fireside jamming sessions, dragging my exhausted body out to do some sport and hitting the occasional party.

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