The Origin and Science of Kinesio Tape
Kinesio Tape was invented in 1979 by Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase following extensive research in kinesiology—the science of muscular and skeletal movement. Dr. Kase developed both the therapeutic method and the first elastic therapeutic tape, later founding Kinesio in the 1980s and establishing the Kinesio Taping Association (KTA) in 1984. Kinesio USA, LLC, has been operating out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, since 1994.

How It Works
This latex-free, porous cotton strip utilizes a medical-grade acrylic adhesive to treat athletic injuries and various physical disorders. Unlike rigid traditional white athletic tape, Kinesio Tape matches the thickness and elasticity of human skin, stretching up to 140% of its original length to allow a full, unrestricted range of motion. It is durable enough to remain on the skin for up to four days, providing continuous therapeutic benefits.

The Kinesio Taping (KT) Method
Designed to mimic the body’s natural mechanics, the tape alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, relaxes overused muscles, and enhances athletic performance. The KT Method supports and stabilizes joints and muscles without restricting movement. Furthermore, it provides extended soft tissue manipulation, prolonging the healing benefits of manual therapy long after you leave the clinic.

According to Dr. Kase, the four major functions of Kinesio Taping are:

• Supporting the muscle: Proper taping improves the muscle’s ability to contract even when it’s weakened, reduces a feeling of pain and fatigue, and protects the muscle from cramping, over-extension and over-contraction.
• Removing congestion to the flow of body fluids: Kinesiology tape improved blood and lymphatic circulation and reduces inflammation and excess chemical buildup in the tissue.
• Activating the endogenous analgesic system: By definition, “endogenous” means self-originating, and an “analgesic” relieves pain in a conscious patient. Therefore, this treatment requirement ensures that the tape actively supports the body’s internal healing mechanisms—a concept at the very heart of chiropractic medicine.
• Correcting joint problems: The goal is improving range of motion and adjusting misalignments that result from tightened muscles.

Four key functions drive the advanced technology behind Kinesio Tape. The top layer is a thin, breathable, and highly elastic cotton fabric, while the underside uses a water-resistant, medical-grade adhesive to support your muscles and joints. By gently interacting with the sensory receptors in your skin, the tape creates microscopic lifting. This lift relieves pressure, reduces pain, and improves lymphatic drainage to clear away swelling and inflammation. Because it can be applied in hundreds of different ways, Kinesio Tape is incredibly versatile—helping to retrain your muscles, prevent injuries, boost athletic performance, and restore your body’s natural balance.

How is Kinesio Tape applied?
Kinesio Tape is applied in five general cuts or techniques.
1. The “Y” cut is most common used. It is used for muscles, like the deltoid (the muscle forming the rounded contour of the shoulder), so that it can surround the muscle to inhibit or facilitate stimuli.
2. The “I” cut is used for acute injuries in small or linear places primarily for edema (a collection of fluid in the spaces between cells of the body – swelling) and pain. For example, an I-shaped piece of tape can be applied to the teres minor (the muscle that laterally rotates the arm and assists in bringing it towards the body) or rhomboid minor (a small skeletal muscle on the back that connects the scapula with the vertebrae of the spinal column).
3. The “X” cut is used for muscles that change depending on movement, such as the biceps femoris (a two-headed muscle located on the back of the thigh, which causes both hip extension and knee flexion).
4. The “Fan” cut provides large coverage area and flexible positioning of the tape, which helps facilitate and channel the lymph drainage more effectively and decrease edema (swelling). It is commonly used for treating lymphedema (a back up or congestion of lymphatic fluid) because the Kinesio Tape allows for greater drain of the lymph, and as the body moves, the tape acts as a pump continually stimulating the lymph circulation on a 24hr/day basis.
5. The “Web” cut is just a modified fan cut, where both base ends are left intact with strips being cut in the middle part of the Kinesio strip.
6. The “Donut” cut is primarily used for edema in a focal or sport specific area. Overlapping strips are used and the center is cut over the area being treated.

Correct tension is also key to success with Kinesio Taping.

• For injured or overused muscles requiring pain relief and relaxation, the tape is applied with zero tension. The application begins at the muscle’s insertion point (the tendon holding the muscle to the bone) and extends toward the muscle’s origin.
• For chronically injured or weakened muscles requiring structural support and full range of motion, the tape is applied with light tension. The application begins at the muscle’s origin and extends toward its insertion point (the tendon holding the muscle to the bone).

Kinesio Taping Guidelines

• The Evaluation: Your CKTP may perform muscle testing, range of motion (ROM) checks, and gait assessments to target underlying issues.
• Skin Prep: Ensure skin is completely clean, dry, and free of lotions or sweat before your appointment.
• The 60-Minute Rule: The tape uses a heat-activated adhesive. Avoid exercising, sweating, or showering for 30 to 60 minutes after application to ensure it doesn’t peel off early.
• Hair Maintenance: Shave or clip areas with dense hair before your session to maximize stickiness and make removal painless.

How do I maintain the Kinesio Tape once it’s been applied?
If any tape edges lift during the first few days, simply trim them off. You can prevent premature lifting entirely by rounding the corners of the tape before applying it. After swimming, showering, or exercising, gently pat the tape dry with a towel. Never use a hair dryer on the tape, because the heat-activated adhesive will bind too tightly to your skin and become very difficult to remove.

Can I apply Kinesio Tape myself?
Getting the right tension is crucial when applying Kinesio Tape. Pulling the tape too tight actually reduces its healing benefits, making it safer to use too little tension rather than too much. To ensure you get the best results, always have your tape applied by a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner after a proper evaluation by a qualified health professional.

How does Kinesio Taping differ from the traditional McConnell method of athletic taping?
Traditional athletic taping restricts motion to protect an injury, but kinesiology taping takes the opposite approach. By using an elastic material, it opens up the muscle to promote full, natural movement during recovery.

How do I take the tape off?
Having your tape removed by a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP) prevents skin irritation and rules out the risk of accidental re-injury. Removal is much easier when the tape is moist from a bath or shower. Your practitioner will peel it from the top down, following the direction of hair growth to ensure maximum comfort.