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Taping

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Introduction

Taping is used for rehabilitation and injury prevention when support and stability are necessary. It serves as a first-aid tool and helps protect injured anatomical structures during the healing process.[1] It is applied over and around muscles to control movement and achieve functional goals.

Intended Purpose and Effect of Taping Techniques

Physiotherapists commonly use the tape to stabilise or support an injury, to relieve pain by de-loading vulnerable or painful structures and facilitate normal movement, muscle action, or postural patterns. A combination of effects from taping is due to mechanical, neuromuscular, and psychological effects. It helps to:

Pain Relief

  • by providing increased low-threshold excitement to somatosensory receptors on the skin during movement and at rest,
  • thus increasing somatosensory input to the central nervous system.
  • Taping increases sensory stimuli to mechanoreceptors, activating the endogenous analgesic system. It activates the spinal inhibitory system through stimulation of touch receptors and the descending inhibitory system, and reduces pressure on nociceptor and thus causes pain relief by reducing inflammation[2].

Improve joint stability

  • by supporting injured ligament structures, stabilizing muscle tone and fascia to maintain structural alignment

Assists in healing

  • Tape elevates the space under the skin and soft tissue, increasing the room for movement, facilitating blood and lymph circulation, and thus reducing inflammatory factors and pressure on injured or vulnerable tissues, which aids in healing[3]

Inhibit overactive or compensatory muscles

  • The elastic properties of the tape provide increased sensory stimulation to the joint and golgi tendon organs and reduces overstretching and overcontraction of a muscle[2]

Facilitate Muscles

  • Facilitating weak muscles by enhancing contraction of a weakened muscle via input through the somatosensory system
  • Reduces muscle fatigue by reinforcing contraction and helps in increasing active ROM by assisting muscle action[4]

Improve Proprioception

Reduce swelling

  • Reduce swelling or oedema by facilitating lymphatic drainage[5] directly under the skin, reduces inflammation by improving lymphatic and blood flow and enhancing function.[2]

Reduce injury recurrence/prevent injury

Reduce injury recurrence/prevent injury[6] and enhances athlete confidence

Indications

Depending upon the goal of the treatment, taping is indicated for:[2]

  • Relief of pain in sports condition/injuries[6][7], plantar fasciitis[8], patellofemoral pain syndrome[9]Lateral elbow tendinopathy[10]functional ankle instability [11]
  • Facilitating weak muscles in treatment of post-stroke patients[12][13]
  • Decreasing lymphatic fluid congestion in management of postoperative oedema [14]
  • Improving proprioceptive awareness[15] [16]and structural alignment
  • Supporting muscle and joint
  • Correction of joint misalignment by balancing agonist and antagonist muscles
  • Maintaining proper structural alignment during therapeutic exercise

Types of Taping

There are different kinds of tape that can be employed:

Elastic strapping tape is used when less rigidity or support is required. Kinesio tape is an improved version of elastic sports tape that acts to dynamically assist your muscle function.[2]

Rigid strapping tape commonly used in taping or strapping and is often referred to as "sports tape" or "athletic tape". It is made of cotton, and it has no elasticity. It stabilises the taped part, changes pain perception and improves balance performance.[17]

Recent systematic review with meta-analysis of RCTs aimed to study the effect of rigid and elastic adhesive tape for improving pain in individuals with musculoskeletal and sports conditions immediately post-application and in the very short term, short term, and medium term suggests that:

  • elastic tape was more effective for reducing pain than using no tape immediately post–tape application and in the short term;
  • rigid tape was more effective than no tape in relieving pain in the medium term.[7]

Kinesio Taping

Kinesiology taping (KT) is a therapeutic tool and has become increasingly popular in the sporting field. It is also used for a variety of other conditions. It was developed by Japanese Chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase in the 1970s with the intention to alleviate pain [18] and improve the healing of soft tissues[19].

A woven-cotton, highly elasticised tape, which can stretch up to 120–140% of its original length, is applied to the skin with a light stretch over and around muscles that control movement[17]. The number of layers and the direction and technique of application controls the degree of joint movement.[2]

Based on the goal of the treatment and the size and contractile properties of the muscle, various cuts and shapes of tape can be utilised. Most common shapes for muscle taping are the l, Y, X, or Fan cuts with X tape is used for treatment of rhomboidal-shaped muscles and Fan cut for lymphatic taping.[2] Y cut is used to surround the muscle along the fascial margins, increasing the percentage of fascia and muscle support. There are many proposed benefits to KT, including proprioceptive facilitation; reduced muscle fatigue; muscle facilitation; reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness; pain inhibition; enhanced healing, such as reducing edema, and improvement of lymphatic drainage and blood flow[20].

Application of Tape

Before application, check the skin sensitivity and ensure that the client is not allergic to the adhesive tape. Make sure there are no existing rash or broken skin in the area. Also, ensure that the skin is clean and free of oil, skin debris, and dirt. Hair must be shaved or clipped to improve the adhesive contact and to reduce skin irritation. Exercises or manual massage can help achieve maximum lengthening and pliability of soft tissue and fascia before application with limited range of motion.[2]

Technique[2]:

  • First, anchor the tape at either the origin or insertion of the muscle. 
  • Next, elongate the muscle as much as tolerated.
  • Apply the free end of the tape, moving from the anchor toward the opposite end of the muscle, while maintaining a pull-off paper tension of 25% stretch.
  • Gently rub over the tape to activate the adhesive.
  • The muscle should then return to its neutral position.

Mulligan Taping

Mobilization with Movement (MWM) developed by Brian Mulligan FNZSP (Hon) of New Zealand is recognised worldwide in manual therapy approaches. His concept is the application of manually applied accessory joint glide with concomitant pain-free active movement. During the development of MWMs, Brian Mulligan discovered that treatment in some patients was enhanced when he utilised taping to compliment the directional forces provided after the MWM treatment bout. Taping is applied in directions that complement the applied MWM passive force to joint or soft tissue.[21]

Read more about Mulligan Taping

McConnell Taping

McConnell taping (also known as Patellar Taping) is often used to treat patients with anterior knee pain, more specifically with patients with Chondromalacia Patellae and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)[22]. The tape corrects the tracking of the patella within the patellar groove by medializing the patella. The technique also stretches lateral soft tissues and strengthens the vastus medialis obliques[23].

Read more about McConnell Taping

Resources

Contraindication

Taping on sites in the following areas is contraindicated[3]:

  • acute infection
  • open wounds
  • deep vein thrombosis
  • malignancy
  • severe allergy

Summary

Taping is an excellent choice for protecting and supporting the body after an injury or in cases of preexisting injuries. It is easy to apply, cost-effective, and readily available. Taping is easy to apply, cost-effective, and widely available. Due to these advantages, taping is frequently used in clinical practice within the field of sports medicine.[1][24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Singh, G. (2019). Athletic taping and its implications in sports. International Journal on Integrated Education, 2(4), 1-7. Retrieved from http://www.journals.researchparks.org/index.php/IJIE/article/view/96
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Skirven TM, Osterman AL, Fedorczyk J, Amadio PC. Rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremity, 2-volume set E-book: expert consult. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2011 Feb 10.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wu WT, Hong CZ, Chou LW. The kinesio taping method for myofascial pain control. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015;2015(1):950519.
  4. ↑ Mesci N, Yorulmaz E, Külcü DG, Baydili KN, Mesci E. Can the effects of muscle techniques in kinesiotaping be demonstrated objectively in female healthy individuals? An electrophysiological study. TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION. 2024 Mar 25.
  5. ↑ Constantinou M, Brown M. Chapter 2: Review of the principles and effects in Therapeutic taping for musculoskeletal conditions. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010 Oct 5
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Singh G. Athletic taping and its implications in sports. International Journal on Integrated Education. 2019;2(4):1-7.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Bosch JE, Brown M, Rieck E, Cheung RT, Constantinou M. The Effects of Rigid and Elastic Adhesive Tape on Pain in Musculoskeletal and Sports Conditions: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials. JOSPT Open. 2025 Oct;3(4):1-38.
  8. ↑ García-Gomariz C, García-Martínez MT, Alcahuz-Griñán M, Hernández-Guillén D, Blasco JM. Effects on pain of kinesiology tape in patients with plantar fasciitis: a randomized controlled study. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2024 Nov 5;46(23):5490-6.
  9. ↑ Jiao H, Tao M, Cui X. Efficacy on pain and knee function of Kinesio taping among patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025 Apr 21;26(1):388.
  10. ↑ Li Y, Mei L, Rahat S, Pang L, Li R, Xiong Y, Li J, Tang X. The efficacy of kinesio tape in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials. Heliyon. 2024 Feb 15;10(3).
  11. ↑ Safari S, Mohsenifar H, Amiri A. The immediate effect of synergistic muscles kinesio taping on function and balance of volleyball players with functional ankle instability: A randomized controlled trial. The Foot. 2023 Dec 1;57:102058.
  12. ↑ Huang YC, Chen PC, Tso HH, Yang YC, Ho TL, Leong CP. Effects of kinesio taping on hemiplegic hand in patients with upper limb post-stroke spasticity: a randomized controlled pilot study. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine. 2019 Jun 13;55(5):551-7.
  13. ↑ Kim WI, Choi YK, Lee JH, Park YH. The effect of muscle facilitation using kinesio taping on walking and balance of stroke patients. Journal of physical therapy science. 2014;26(11):1831-4.
  14. ↑ Hörmann J, Vach W, Jakob M, Seghers S, Saxer F. Kinesiotaping for postoperative oedema–what is the evidence? A systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2020 Mar 2;12(1):14.
  15. ↑ Simoneau GG, Degner RM, Kramper CA, Kittleson KH. Changes in ankle joint proprioception resulting from strips of athletic tape applied over the skin. Journal of athletic training. 1997 Apr;32(2):141.
  16. ↑ Simon J, Garcia W, Docherty CL. The effect of kinesio tape on force sense in people with functional ankle instability. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2014 Jul 1;24(4):289-94.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Zaworski K, Baj-Korpak J, Kręgiel-Rosiak A, Gawlik K. Effects of kinesio taping and rigid taping on gluteus medius muscle activation in healthy individuals: A randomized controlled study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022 Nov 12;19(22):14889.
  18. ↑ Liu YH, Chen SM, Lin CH, Huang CI, Sun YN. Motion tracking on elbow tissue from ultrasonic image sequence for patients with alteral epicondylitis.Proceedings of the 29th Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS Cite Interbationale, Lyon, France, 2007.
  19. ↑ Kahanov L. Kinesio taping, Part 1: An overview of its use in athletes.Athletic Therapy Today 2007;12:17-18.
  20. ↑ Basset KT, Lingman SA, Ellis RF. The use and treatment efficacy kinaesthetic taping for musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy 2010;38(2):56-62.
  21. ↑ Wayne Hing Toby Hall Darren Rivett Bill Vicenzino Brian Mulligan Mulligan Concept of manual therapy Elsevier Australia Reprinted 2015
  22. ↑ Derasari A. et al. McConnell taping shifts the patella inferiorly in patients with patellofemoral pain: a dynamic magnetic resonance imaging study. Journal of the American Physical Therapy association. 2010 March. 90(3): 411–419
  23. ↑ Naoko Aminaka and Phillip A Gribble; A Systematic Review of the Effects of Therapeutic Taping on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Journal of Athletic Training; 2005 Oct–Dec; 40(4): 341–351
  24. ↑ Ghai S, Ghai I, Narciss S. Influence of taping on joint proprioception: a systematic review with between and within group meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2024 Jun 18;25(1):480.
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