Does applying Kinesio Tape offer relief for individuals experiencing osteoarthritis symptoms?
Athletes often use Kinesio tape, a stretchy cotton strip with adhesive, to boost performance and alleviate injuries. A recent development suggests that this tape could also provide pain relief for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis. The American College of Rheumatology has included Kinesio tape in its latest guidelines for treating osteoarthritis, recommending it for hand and knee osteoarthritis.
In an interview, orthopedic surgeon Dominic King, DO, explained the benefits and best practices for using Kinesio tape for osteoarthritis. The tape's stretchy nature allows for more mobility compared to traditional athletic tape or braces, while still providing stability. It can also support muscles around affected joints, enabling them to relax slightly.
To make the most of Kinesio tape's potential benefits, it's crucial to apply it correctly. Users should pull the tape to create tension but avoid removing all of its stretchiness. For proper application guidance, King recommends consulting an occupational therapist or physical therapist.
Dr. King notes that the carpometacarpal joint at the base of the thumb, a common osteoarthritis location, seems to respond best to Kinesio tape. The tape is also conditionally recommended for osteoarthritis in the knee, particularly for people with osteoarthritis under the kneecap.
Despite mixed results from studies, Dr. King remains confident in suggesting Kinesio tape for osteoarthritis patients. The low risk of harm and potential benefits make it a viable option for mechanical problems such as osteoarthritis. However, it's essential to approach Kinesio tape as an adjunct therapy rather than a standalone treatment, and more high-quality research is needed to further confirm its effectiveness.
Kinesio tape may offer short-term pain relief and functional improvement in musculoskeletal conditions, including some hand and knee disorders, via mechanical support and sensory input. Its therapeutic effect might be partly due to placebo, as studies report minimal direct physiological muscle strengthening from tape alone. Taping should be guided by a healthcare professional to ensure proper use and maximize potential benefits.
- Dr. King suggests that Kinesio tape could potentially help individuals suffering from chronic diseases like osteoarthritis, as it offers temporary pain relief and functional improvement for certain health-and-wellness issues, such as hand and knee osteoarthritis.
- Health-and-wellness interventions like Kinesio tape show promise for managing medical-conditions such as osteoarthritis, not necessarily through direct physiological muscle strengthening, but by providing mechanical support and generating sensory input that can aid in pain relief.
