The following are some quotes from and links to research articles on kinesiology taping (K-taping) that we have recently reviewed:
“The application of Kinesiology Taping in the study group produced a decrease in the circumference of the thigh and crus statistically more significant than that following lymphatic drainage.” Clinical efficacy of kinesiology taping in reducing edema of the lower limbs in patients treated with the ilizarov method–preliminary report. Ortopedia, traumatologia, rehabilitacja, 2009 Jan-Feb;11(1):46-54.
“K Tape may be of some assistance to clinicians in improving pain-free active range of motion immediately after tape application for patients with shoulder pain.” The Clinical Efficacy of Kinesio Tape for Shoulder Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Clinical Trial Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2008 Volume:38 Issue:7 Pages:389–395
“Patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders receiving an application of Kinesio Taping, applied with proper tension, exhibited statistically significant improvements immediately following application of the Kinesio Tape and at a 24-hour follow-up.” Short-Term Effects of Cervical Kinesio Taping on Pain and Cervical Range of Motion in Patients With Acute Whiplash Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2009 Volume:39 Issue:7 Pages:515–521
“We proved that Kinesiology taping is effective in restoring muscle power reduced after muscle fatigued induction. Therefore, we suggest that Kinesiology taping is beneficial for fatigued muscles.” Immediate Effects of Kinesiology Taping of Quadriceps on Motor Performance after Muscle Fatigued Induction Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
“KT technique appeared to be beneficial for reducing postoperative pain, edema, improving knee extension in early postoperative rehabilitation period.” The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping® after total knee replacement in early postoperative rehabilitation period. A randomized controlled trial. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
“The application of Kinesio Taping, with the aim of stimulating the lymphatic system, is ineffective in decreasing acute swelling after an ankle sprain in athletes.” Kinesio Taping does not decrease swelling in acute, lateral ankle sprain of athletes: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy 61: 28–33
Here is a link to a Google image search of bruising reduction through application of K-tape
For some extra reading, here is a site search on “taping” at the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and a link to the Wikipedia article on “Elastic Therapeutic Tape”.
