Kinesiology Tape just a gimmick?

When I was seeing a physical therapist for my shoulder, she applied the tape to my shoulder. She was telling me that she thinks a lot of people do not know how apply these correctly. Do you know how to apply them correctly?

I think it "helping" is just in people's heads.

I seem to recall that studies have shown it just has a placebo effect.

There is a slight possibility that taping it somewhat like an old-fashioned bandage might have some benefits, but it's mostly woo, IMNSHO.

For what are you using it? I don't think it will make you stronger or better at anything, but in my personal experience works well for minor muscle strains and soreness.

After a really heavy day of weighted triceps dips my left arm was feeling a little off so I bought the tape and put a few pieces on it. The tape definitely helped to keep pressure on my arm while it healed, and I was able to keep working out full strength despite the strain on my triceps.

It works good. Have some one else put it on for you. Also when you want to get it off eaither get in the hot shower to or use alcohol swabs.

I think that depends on what you expect it to help you with and how you intend to use it.

It's only meant to offer support to ligaments and it needs to be applied correctly by someone with an intimate knowledge of ligament anatomy, like a physical therapist, in order to be helpful.

I've got shoulder issues and the tape doesn't do me much good. What has helped has been finding a small pillow that I use to prop up my arm when I sleep, which keeps my shoulder aligned properly.

Okay--I confess: it's not a pillow. It's a stuffed animal whose name is Shoulder Bear. He's exactly the right size and shape to keep my shoulder in position while I sleep.

It really depends on what it is being used for and who is applying it. A physical therapist who has gone through taping courses and understands physiology of muscle insertions and conditions like edema? Legit. The PTs I work with use it occasionally with patients with great results.

To buy a roll at home and use it randomly? Probably placebo effect for people that don't know what they are doing (and watching YouTube videos doesn't count). I've used it in the past for knee stability, placed by a PT, and my honest opinion is that it gives me better proprioception and awareness of my deficit so that I can correct it (for me, maintaining stabilization while running), but that's my personal opinion.

I've seen awesome results in the use of reduced edema and support for things like shoulder subluxation on patients I've worked with.

It fine as a temporary support for inflammed tendons and ligaments. Realize that tape is a topical and having it on skin isn't the same as having a brace or sleeve. And the tape is usually single layer so the support is minimal. I use it on my runner's knee and ankle occasionally, but using athlete's sports tape does a better job when wrapped correctly.

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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition