Kinesio Tape: The Best Types and How to Use It - Best Physical Therapy Product Reviews

You’ve seen the bright colored tape at the Olympics for years now and you’re probably wondering “does that stuff even work?” You might even want to try it yourself to help recover from an injury faster. Kinesiology Tape is a great way to get extra support to a joint or muscle in a way that most people can treat themselves. Continue reading our helpful guide to learn more about KT tape and how to use it.

In a Hurry?

Our favorite kinesio tape that we use in the clinic and at the house for personal use is Rock Tape. We like it because it seems to stick better and hold its support longer.

Check on the Price of Rock Tape Here.

The Best Kinesio Tape

Name	Multiple Colors	Water Resistant	Pre-Cut	Taping Instructions Included
Spartan Kinesio Tape	Yes	Yes	No	41 Page Manual
KT Kinesio Sports Tape	Yes	Yes	Yes	Provided on Youtube
Rock Tape	Yes	Yes	No	Instructional Videos
Kinesio Tex Tape	Yes	Yes	No	None
Physix Gear Kinesio Tape	Yes	Yes	No	82 Page E-Guide
Mueller Sports Tape	Yes	Yes	No	12 Instructional pictures
Hampton Adams Kinesio Tape	Yes	Yes	No	None

What Is Kinesiology Tape?

Kinesiology Tape, Kinesio Tape or KT tape is an elastic tape made from cotton, spandex and adhesive that is used to stimulate or relax muscles. It was originally invented in the 1970’s by Kenzo Kase. He set to find a way to the body heal while they were between and undergoing treatment. The original claims when the tape was invented was to help with pain, reduce inflammation, relax muscles, enhance performance, and support muscles during a sporting event.

How Do You Put On Kinesiology Tape?

Kinesiology Tape is stuck directly to clean, dry skin over the affected muscles or joints that effected. Usually it is stretched over the length of a muscle, leaving a few inches un-stretched at each end. Although there are many specific patterns and advanced techniques that can be used.

FAQ About Kinesoip Tape

How Long Can I Wear Kinesio Tape?

For the most part Kinesiology Tape can be worn comfortably for 3-5 days and still get benefit. Once it is adhered it usually does quite well with sleeping and bathing. If for any reason you notice itching or increased redness around the tape, then take it off in case of an allergic reaction. There is no magic amount of time that the tape needs to be worn.

Can Kinesiology Tape Get Wet?

Kinesiology Tape is water resistant and designed to still perform when wet, although some brands are more water resistant than others. It is important that the tape is applied to dry skin before getting wet.

Are Different Colors Of Kinesiology Tape Better?

There is no practical difference between the colors of Kinesiology Tape. Colors can be used to match team colors, for increased visibility, etc. Though some clinicians swear that some colors seem to stick better than others, this likely isn’t true.

Can I Wear Kinesiology Tape If I’m Allergic To Adhesive?

If you are severely allergic to adhesive, you should avoid using Kinesiology Tape. If an allergy is suspected, a small test piece of tape should be applied first for a short time to test for any irritation.

Is Kinesio Tape Latex Free?

Most of the Kinesio tape brands are latex free. If you have an allergy to latex please double check with the individual manufacture first before using.

Is Kinesio tape Safe During Pregnancy?

Absolutely! In fact, it is commonly used for both low back pain during pregnancy and at times to help support the abdomen in the final months of fetal growth. For help with how to apply KT tape during pregnancy you can watch this helpful video.

Do you have pain in the front of the knee? Check out our reviews of the best Braces for Patella Femoral Disorder

Is Kinesio Tape Effective and Does it Work?

Kinesiology tape does work but it may not work in the ways that it is mostly advertised. KT tape is not going to turn muscles on, turn them off, or fix any immediate injury.

What it likely does is help influence the nervous system and how the sensory information is being relayed to the brain, provide a superficial support to an area, and provide mental support after injury.

KT tape can aid in the recovery of an injury but is not a replacement for strengthening or mobility exercises.

Does Kinesio Tape Help With Tendonitis?

Taping can be beneficial for tendonitis. This true for both the arms and the legs. In a study on forearm tendonitis, kinesio tape was found to help in relieving pain, restoring grip strength, and improving functionality in rehabilitation.

Does Kinesio Tape Hep with Arthritis?

KT tape can also help with arthritis, particularly with knee arthritis. In patients, with knee osteoarthritis wearing kinesio tape for 3 consecutive days had beneficial effects regarding self-reported clinical outcomes of pain, joint stiffness, and function. This can be helpful to tolerate more exercises to improve knee strength and range of motion.

Does Kinesio tape help with Low Back Pain?

KT tape is an easy to use adjunct to help more easily perform physical therapy and exercise. In a systematic review, researchers found that KT tape is best used in conjunction with other therapies and can best improve the ability to perform those exercises.

Does Kinesio tape help after a total knee replacement?

Kinesio tape has been show to be effective for recovery after a total knee replacement. In one study, the researchers found that kinesiology tape helps reduce postoperative pain, edema, and improve knee extension in early postoperative rehabilitation period

The Best Kinesiology Tape

There are so many Kinesiology Tapes on the market today. We’ve summarized some of the pros and cons of some top tapes below.

Spartan Kinesio Tape

Summary: The Spartan Kinesio Tape is praised for its superior sticking power while often costing only half as much as some other top brands. Spartan Tape is sold by the roll which means you can always cut off just as much as you need, although some people prefer the convenience of pre-cut strips.