Kinesio Tape: Fact or fiction?

1. Kinesio Tape: Fact or fiction? Adam Lucassian, AT, ATCUniversity of CincinnatiGraduate Assistant Athletic Trainer (Women’s Soccer)

2. About me • Board Certified and Licensed Athletic Trainer • Experience • Intern Athletic Trainer- Saint Joseph’s University Women’s Soccer (Philadelphia, PA) • Intern Assistant Athletic Trainer- Florida Gulf Coast University Men’s Soccer/Men’s and Women’s Tennis (Ft. Myers, FL) • Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer- University of Cincinnati Women’s Soccer (Cincinnati, OH) • Graduated from Central Michigan University • BS in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine • Attending Graduate School at the University of Cinicinnati • MS in Health Promotion and Education (Exercise and Fitness) • Research: • The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Myofascial Trigger Points in Collegiate Female Soccer Players

3. What are we going to Discuss? • What is Kinesio Tape (KT) • History • Who uses KT? • Brief Science • What are claims of Kinesio Tape • Fact or Fiction? • My Research • Questions/Comments

4. What is kinesio Tape?

5. What is Kinesio Tape • A latex free and flexible/elastic form of treatment 1,2,3 • “Facilitate movement while offering support and to prevent over contraction, all while allowing the body to heal itself biomechanically.” • Mainly used by PTs and OTs for rehabilitation originally 2 • Massage Therapists and Athletic Trainers followed later • Certifications available • Many different brands and styles have made it more friendly for the general population • “How to Videos” • Online Directions • Available OTC at many stores

6. What is Kinesio Tape: Brief History • Developed over 25 years ago by Dr. Kenzo Kase2 • Wanted to develop a non-invasive tool that used kinesiology to treat soft-tissue injuries • Kinesiology: Student of mechanics of the body • Introduced to the US in the 1990s4 • Most people began to hear of the technique following the 2008 Summer Olympics2 • Karri Walsh wore it on her right shoulder

7. What is Kinesio Tape: Basic Science • Claims to aid muscles, lymphatic system (fluids in the body that lead to swelling), and provide functional support3 • Doesn’t restrict movement. • Releases pressure on the tissues underneath the skin by separating the skin from muscles3

8. Claims of kineso tape:fact or fiction

9. Claim #1: KT will help improve strength FICTION • People use KT to help get “stronger”. But what does the research say? • Study #1 5 • 21 College Athletes • Grip strength was tested • Study #2 6 • 14 Athletes • Quad Strength • What was found? • Both studies revealed the KT did not significantly increase the strength of the participants

10. Claim #1: KT will help improve strength • What should you do instead • Strength Program • Consisting of: • Olympic Lifts (Squats, Deadlifts, Power Cleans, High Pulls, etc.) • Plyometric Lifts • Consult a professional • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist • Certified Personal Trainer

11. Claim #2: Kt is an effective ankle sprain treatment FICTION • Thought behind claim1 • May be able to enhance proprioception and muscle activation • Proprioception • Self-awareness of the body • Sense decreases after a sprain of a joint • Study1 • 51 male athletes from premier-league teams • HOWEVER • The previous study showed no increase in stability, another study has shown an increased in proprioception after long term wear of KT 1,7

12. Claim #2: Kt is an effective ankle sprain treatment • What should you do instead? • Non-elastic “white” tape is shown to be a better choice than KT to help deal with and treat ankle sprain • Bracing is also a viable option • Brands • Active Ankle • Cramer • Visit a Medical Professional • Doctor • Athletic Trainer • Physical Therapist

13. Claim #3: KT can help increase range of motion/flexibility FACT • Theorized to be an effective method of treating decreased muscle function and pain8 • Study8 • 30 subjects • Researchers evaluated the range of motion of the low back with and without KT

14. Claim #3: KT can help increase range of motion/flexibility • Results showed that KT may increase the range of motion of the low back8 • Another Study9 • Showed an immediate increase in ankle flexibility after application of KT • Also showed decreased pain* • Other things you should do • Traditional stretching • Foam Rolling • Consult an expert • Athletic Trainer • Strength and Conditioning Coach

15. Claim #4: KT will help decrease swelling FACT • Several techniques and cuts of KT have been developed for use to deal with swelling • Claim to help facilitate lymphatic flow • Study10 • Stroke patients who exhibited swelling in the arms were recruited • Taped for 6 days

16. Claim #4: KT will help decrease swelling • Study showed decrease in swelling in the hands10 • Personal experience • ACL Post-Surgery • Large amount of swelling factored into trouble getting back to full range of motion • After taping • Decreased swelling • Faster return to range of motion

17. Self research conducted The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Myofascial Trigger Points on Collegiate Female Soccer Players

18. The Effect of Kinesio Tape on Myofascial Trigger Points on Collegiate Female Soccer Players • Myofascial Trigger Points (MTP)11 • “Knots” • Tight muscles • Can cause pain • Took 20 Women Soccer Players who had MTP is their calves. • Study showed a decrease in presence of MTP after 48 hours. • Decreased Pain

19. Questions or comments? Contact Information: lucassaj@mail.uc.edu

20. bibliography

21. 1Briem, K., Eythorsdottir, H., Magnusdottie, R. G., Palmarsson, R., Runarsdottir, T., & Sveinsson, T. (2011). Effects of kinesio tape compared with nonelastic sports tape and the untapped ankle during a sudden inversion perturbation in male athletes. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 41(5), 328-335. • 2Osborn, K. (2009). Tape it up. Massge & Bodywork, 24(3), 52-59 • 3Morris, D., Jones, D., Ryan, H., & Ryan, C.G. (2013). The clincical effects of kinesiotextaping: a systematic review. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 29(4), 259- 270. • 4Osterhues, D.J. (2004). The use of Kineso Taping in the management of traumatic patella dislocation. A case study. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 20, 267- 270. • 5Chang, H.Y., Chou, K.Y., Lin, J.J., Lin C.F., & Wang, C.H. (2010). Immediate effect of forearm kinesio taping on maximal grip strength and force sense in healthy collegiate athletes. Physical Therapy in Sport, 11, 122-127. • 6Fu, T.C., Wong, A.M.K, Pei, Y.C., Wu, K.P., Chou, S.W., & Lin, Y.C. (2008). Effect of kinesiotaping on muscle strength in athletes-a pilot study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports, 11, 198-201.

22. 7Simon, J.S., Garcia, W., & Docherty, C.L. (2013). The effect of kinesio tape on force sense in people with functional ankle instability. Clinical Journal Of Sport Medicine: Official Journal of The Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine. • 8Yoshida, A., & Kahanov, L. (2007). The effect of kinesio taping on lower trunk range of motions. Research in Sports Medicine, 15, 103-112. • 9Merino-Marban, R., Mayorga-Vega, D., & Frenandez-Rodriguez, E. (2013). Effect of kinesiotape application on calf pain and ankle range of motion in duathletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 37, 129-135. • 10Bell, A., & Muller, M. (2013). Effects of kinesio tape to reduce hand edema in acute stroke. Topics in Stroke Rehabiliation, 20(3), 283-288. • 11Garcia-Muro, F., Rodriguez-Fernandez, A.L., & Herrero-de-Lucas, A. (2010). Treatment of myofasical pain in the shoulder with kinesio taping. a case report. Manual Therapy, 15, 292-295.