Thanks for this well balanced video! As a qualified physical therapist with two masters degrees I can concur: this is 99,99% a placebo effect, which is OK. As pointed out it's very safe to use with negligible side effects, most common redness of the skin or itching. You said it well: the evidence is lacking after the many, many research (at least which is not sponsored by the manufacturer). The fact that there are many succes stories doesn't prove anything. It's anecdotal evidence. There are few very specific use cases the it might help, lymphatic oedema which can occur after cancer. Do I use it? Very little and only when my client asks for it. They have an expectation it's going to work, which is much more powerful effect that the kinesiotape. Do not underestimate the power of the placebo-effect. So yes, it's all in your head (as with all the pain you experience). Btw, for all those people reading the comments: when a therapist is claiming that every colour kinesiotape has a different function: walk away.
> The fact that there are many succes stories doesn't prove anything. It's anecdotal evidence Yeah, it bothered me that they called it "empirical evidence". It's not empirical evidence if it's not verifiable via the scientific method (which they admitted in the sentence prior to calling it empirical), it's not evidence, it's anecdote.
Glued myself back together with KT tape more than once. Even right now, it's taking care of my right achilles, which is mildly noisy since my first marathon (and longest run by +8k!) 10 days ago. And even if it's just a placebo. Who cares? Still works :)
I only use KT tape when I consider it necessary to continue my training. I have used KT tape on and injured ankle and I feel a bit of support without restricting my feet or leg. However, I have a problem with it after is used. Once you use it it gets thrown away. I rather use reusable bandages that I can wash and use again.
Great video, although I do think it was incomplete. You didn't tell us which method for removing the tape, slow peel or quick rip? I am sure James would have been fine with you testing both methods :) :)!
I have used it and find it really helped. First came across it after a traumatic heel injury, I had been trying (and failing) to walk around on the foot for well over a week. Within a day or two of using the tape, the tissue in my heel had released and I was in very minimal pain. Have since used on a few other injuries, all helping to release and support the muscles to recover.
This is an amazingly rational and well considered video with respect to the therapeutic claims and existing (albeit limited) literature on KT tape. Thank you for taking this approach in your research / presentation :)
Got me through many a contact sports game a few years back now! Just giving confidence to an injured or recently recovered area was key to being able to compete.
As a Physio, I can say the best use of it is when you break your glasses and you want a flexible tape to hold the arm on. Athletes love a bit of woo, look at all the Olympians with circles over their backs from cupping.
except cupping does work, on many many conditions - speaking from personal experience. I question the application for athletes and performance tho. Has been around for centuries in TCM.
I’ve a troublesome left calf & heal… solution was strength training… but KT tape applied bottom of heal up Achilles and then up soleus to just below the knee seems to settle everything down… when applying best to not stretch the beginning 5cm & end 5cm… plus only stretch about 25% in middle. Of course might just be it makes me believe I’m healing quicker
I use it for my shoulder injury, self taught from a book, I find it helps as I feel that the shoulder has more support when it is strapped up (I have pink camo print tape)
Great video! The whole time I was thinking, “wouldn’t it be hilarious if every 10-15 minutes we cut back to James mysteriously have more and more K-tape applied until Mark has basically covered everything except for James’s face?” 😂
I wouldn’t say it’s the only thing you should do for treatment, or you should use it to go beyond your limits. I would say anecdotally, I have had some success with it in giving an assist to my knee joint and tendons in long distance runs. Found it reduced mild post-run front of knee (patellar tendon) pain.
My guess would be that it might be useful for supporting a joint, maybe a slightly less heavyweight version of your typical ankle / knee support. I have tried it and it didn’t help me although I had waited until I was properly injured to try it so was clutching at straws to be able to continue the marathon training I was doing at the time but I wouldn’t rule out trying it again
I think this vid would have been more useful had you had a PT on-site and even applied to a current injury. This stuff isn't liquid gold, but I swear by it as I've been using it for the past 10 years. It obviously won't help much with grade 3 strains or even the majority of grade 2, but with grade 1 strains this stuff is very effective. There's a reason top athletes around the world use it.
Kudos for trying to offer a balanced view, but maybe better if you hadn’t mixed up “Empirical” and “Anecdotal”. My own contribution to the anecdotal evidence is consistent with most people in the comments saying they like the stuff, I think. I’ve used it to support joints (particularly knees) with minor overuse injury, persistent niggles. I don’t think for a second that it’s directly aided the healing but do think it helped support and prevent worsening whilst I continued training and worked on the stretching and conditioning. Basically, used instead of neoprene or similar supports I prefer it, as it’s low profile, unobtrusive in use. The manufacturers will talk about how it promotes healing by drawing blood to the surface, etc, and I can’t see that as anything but marketing BS. Joint support good. Muscular recovery etc v. Unlikely.
I bought a couple of rolls of KT tape at a race expo some years ago when I was on an emotional high and my brain wasn't functioning. Unfortunately, I then sobered up and looked up research studies on its effectiveness. After that, I decided that the best use was to prevent chafing on sensitive areas. For that it was 100% effective!
Lifehack: Vet wrap is what the veterinarian uses to tape the legs of horses or injured legs of dogs etc., but... is basically the same material. It is also waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper.
I have problems with my back since I am quite tall (1,95m) When I get taped I get it applied with tension, so when I move the tape stimulates my back muscles. It works pretty good for me. If that also goes for other areas, I can´t judge. But I am convinced of a positive effect on my back
I am very skeptical of the KT claims. HOWEVER, the tape is useful! I use it to wrap toes that are prone to blistering. The amount of stick and stretch are much better than other tapes for this purpose.
Applied correctly it's great for me and my knee. Could be a placebo effect but I don't think it is. I apply it fairly regularly to my knee just help me get through the day at work where I'm on my feet all day.
It's conceivable that for those who experience a benefit with KT tape (ignoring the almost certain placebo effect and confirmation bias), that the alteration of biomechanics or muscle recruitment is analogous to putting socks on a cat: it feels unusual, so you move differently. The sum of the empirical data is pretty clear on the direct action of KT tape though: snake oil.
@@markstewart1986 I'm with you to an extent, but OTOH the placebo effect is still an effect. If I have a problem and something I do helps it, I'm not particularly fussed whether it helps because it's been proven to work or because it tricked my body into mobilising its self-healing abilities. I used KT tape once for a pulled intercostal and it did actually seem to help with the muscle discomfort... for about 48 hours. Then I had to remove it because my skin rebelled.
@@R.a.p.h.a.e.l.a apologies I was being a bit flippant. To be honest placebo effect is a powerful thing with an evidence base. My only slight concerns would be if people are using the tape rather than seeing a physician or if they're using the tape whilst exercising when they should be recovering. Obvs there's also the money the company are making off something that has no evidence base, but then a lot of triathlon involves expensive toys that make marginal differences.
I have been taped up twice following visits to the Physio; lower back and right calf. I always try to keep an open mind but have to say on each occasion it was applied to me I did not feel any real benefits. #placebo
It was invented 50 years ago and there is still no a lot of concrete evidence of benefits. Given the money made from it I think that answers your question
Per the inventor's description of how it works, it doesn't. You may find it effective but that is observational bias and regression to the mean. No such thing as the placebo effect outside of subjective outcomes...
How many times have people gone to a chartered physio and are none the better after paying out big money. If you left your car to a mechanic to be fixed and it was no different would you pay out a large sum, no, if you called in a plumber to fix a leak and after pottering about and rubbing your pipes and it was the exact same as before and he or she had their hand out for a hefty fee, would you pay no. So why pay these chancers if they dont fix the problem. Pay on results not because they have their name on the wall as a chartered anything. Ask the question at the start, if what you do has no effect what so ever do I have to pay you.
I used it when I did my first ultramarathon. I had plantar fasciitis on the run up, but KT tape helped provide enough support so I could run without pain. It lasted through the whole race.
Have you used Kinesio tape and do you think it works? Share your thoughts 👇
Thanks for this well balanced video! As a qualified physical therapist with two masters degrees I can concur: this is 99,99% a placebo effect, which is OK. As pointed out it's very safe to use with negligible side effects, most common redness of the skin or itching. You said it well: the evidence is lacking after the many, many research (at least which is not sponsored by the manufacturer). The fact that there are many succes stories doesn't prove anything. It's anecdotal evidence. There are few very specific use cases the it might help, lymphatic oedema which can occur after cancer. Do I use it? Very little and only when my client asks for it. They have an expectation it's going to work, which is much more powerful effect that the kinesiotape. Do not underestimate the power of the placebo-effect. So yes, it's all in your head (as with all the pain you experience).
Btw, for all those people reading the comments: when a therapist is claiming that every colour kinesiotape has a different function: walk away.
> The fact that there are many succes stories doesn't prove anything. It's anecdotal evidence
Yeah, it bothered me that they called it "empirical evidence". It's not empirical evidence if it's not verifiable via the scientific method (which they admitted in the sentence prior to calling it empirical), it's not evidence, it's anecdote.
@@JimCullen He just misspoke. I'm sure he meant to use "anecdotal".
🙌
Glued myself back together with KT tape more than once. Even right now, it's taking care of my right achilles, which is mildly noisy since my first marathon (and longest run by +8k!) 10 days ago. And even if it's just a placebo. Who cares? Still works :)
I only use KT tape when I consider it necessary to continue my training. I have used KT tape on and injured ankle and I feel a bit of support without restricting my feet or leg. However, I have a problem with it after is used. Once you use it it gets thrown away. I rather use reusable bandages that I can wash and use again.
Great video, although I do think it was incomplete. You didn't tell us which method for removing the tape, slow peel or quick rip? I am sure James would have been fine with you testing both methods :) :)!
I've used it with itb syndrome. Worked for me and got me through a marathon 🙌
I believe it’s mostly a placebo effect; not saying anything wrong with that though
Agreed. Taping your skin is not going to have any effect on your muscles or tendons. Skin doesn't work that way.
Yup agree, even so [placebo or not] the tape really does help me when I need to use it for my shinbone pain.
I have used it on my knee. My physiotherapist described the effect, as that of a comforting hand.
I have used it and find it really helped. First came across it after a traumatic heel injury, I had been trying (and failing) to walk around on the foot for well over a week. Within a day or two of using the tape, the tissue in my heel had released and I was in very minimal pain. Have since used on a few other injuries, all helping to release and support the muscles to recover.
This is an amazingly rational and well considered video with respect to the therapeutic claims and existing (albeit limited) literature on KT tape. Thank you for taking this approach in your research / presentation :)
Got me through many a contact sports game a few years back now! Just giving confidence to an injured or recently recovered area was key to being able to compete.
As a Physio, I can say the best use of it is when you break your glasses and you want a flexible tape to hold the arm on. Athletes love a bit of woo, look at all the Olympians with circles over their backs from cupping.
except cupping does work, on many many conditions - speaking from personal experience. I question the application for athletes and performance tho. Has been around for centuries in TCM.
@@MonicaKM111 no scientific evidence to support your statement. Pure woo.
@@MonicaKM111 Bloodletting was used for about 2000 years. When's the last time your doctor prescribed sticking leeches to your body?
really enjoying how almost every video has an element of trolling James xD
I’ve a troublesome left calf & heal… solution was strength training… but KT tape applied bottom of heal up Achilles and then up soleus to just below the knee seems to settle everything down… when applying best to not stretch the beginning 5cm & end 5cm… plus only stretch about 25% in middle. Of course might just be it makes me believe I’m healing quicker
I use it for my shoulder injury, self taught from a book, I find it helps as I feel that the shoulder has more support when it is strapped up (I have pink camo print tape)
Pink camo is definitely the most beneficial color.
I've used in on my shoulder/rotator cuff during swimming. I thought it helped with the pain.
Great video! The whole time I was thinking, “wouldn’t it be hilarious if every 10-15 minutes we cut back to James mysteriously have more and more K-tape applied until Mark has basically covered everything except for James’s face?” 😂
I wouldn’t say it’s the only thing you should do for treatment, or you should use it to go beyond your limits. I would say anecdotally, I have had some success with it in giving an assist to my knee joint and tendons in long distance runs. Found it reduced mild post-run front of knee (patellar tendon) pain.
My guess would be that it might be useful for supporting a joint, maybe a slightly less heavyweight version of your typical ankle / knee support. I have tried it and it didn’t help me although I had waited until I was properly injured to try it so was clutching at straws to be able to continue the marathon training I was doing at the time but I wouldn’t rule out trying it again
I think this vid would have been more useful had you had a PT on-site and even applied to a current injury. This stuff isn't liquid gold, but I swear by it as I've been using it for the past 10 years. It obviously won't help much with grade 3 strains or even the majority of grade 2, but with grade 1 strains this stuff is very effective. There's a reason top athletes around the world use it.
People do lots of things despite the absence of evidence. On balance, the empirical, peer-reviewed evidence for KT tape is dismal.
Kudos for trying to offer a balanced view, but maybe better if you hadn’t mixed up “Empirical” and “Anecdotal”.
My own contribution to the anecdotal evidence is consistent with most people in the comments saying they like the stuff, I think. I’ve used it to support joints (particularly knees) with minor overuse injury, persistent niggles. I don’t think for a second that it’s directly aided the healing but do think it helped support and prevent worsening whilst I continued training and worked on the stretching and conditioning. Basically, used instead of neoprene or similar supports I prefer it, as it’s low profile, unobtrusive in use. The manufacturers will talk about how it promotes healing by drawing blood to the surface, etc, and I can’t see that as anything but marketing BS. Joint support good. Muscular recovery etc v. Unlikely.
Idk, I use kt tape when my left calf acts up and it seems to make a huge difference 🤷🏼♀️
I bought a couple of rolls of KT tape at a race expo some years ago when I was on an emotional high and my brain wasn't functioning. Unfortunately, I then sobered up and looked up research studies on its effectiveness. After that, I decided that the best use was to prevent chafing on sensitive areas. For that it was 100% effective!
thank you for all of the good content that you give
and that tape does make a big deferens
Lifehack:
Vet wrap is what the veterinarian uses to tape the legs of horses or injured legs of dogs etc., but... is basically the same material. It is also waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper.
I have problems with my back since I am quite tall (1,95m) When I get taped I get it applied with tension, so when I move the tape stimulates my back muscles. It works pretty good for me. If that also goes for other areas, I can´t judge. But I am convinced of a positive effect on my back
I am very skeptical of the KT claims. HOWEVER, the tape is useful! I use it to wrap toes that are prone to blistering. The amount of stick and stretch are much better than other tapes for this purpose.
Good point. I was using snake oil to prevent chafing but it doesn't smell very good: I'll have to try the K-tape 😉
Applied correctly it's great for me and my knee. Could be a placebo effect but I don't think it is. I apply it fairly regularly to my knee just help me get through the day at work where I'm on my feet all day.
I use it and it works for me. My Achilles thanks me for it
same
I wonder if they nicknamed him James T. Kirk with his unique line delivery 🤣
It's conceivable that for those who experience a benefit with KT tape (ignoring the almost certain placebo effect and confirmation bias), that the alteration of biomechanics or muscle recruitment is analogous to putting socks on a cat: it feels unusual, so you move differently. The sum of the empirical data is pretty clear on the direct action of KT tape though: snake oil.
clearly it has one additional purpose for GTN: shenanigans :)
What did you think of the Sketchers Shape-Ups when they were still around?
I've used KT Tape several times in hopes of helping my stained calf feel less pain and did not feel any benefit :( Calf needs rest, rest, rest, ugh!
It did not work for me, but I'm not ready to say it's worthless or that people should not use it. If it works you, that's great.
It’s seems to work on my restless leg syndrome
Secondary title: “Do placebos have an effect?”
I can't use the stuff because I get an allergic reaction from the adhesive. 🤷🏻
I can't use it because of the lack of science
@@markstewart1986 I'm with you to an extent, but OTOH the placebo effect is still an effect. If I have a problem and something I do helps it, I'm not particularly fussed whether it helps because it's been proven to work or because it tricked my body into mobilising its self-healing abilities.
I used KT tape once for a pulled intercostal and it did actually seem to help with the muscle discomfort... for about 48 hours. Then I had to remove it because my skin rebelled.
@@R.a.p.h.a.e.l.a apologies I was being a bit flippant. To be honest placebo effect is a powerful thing with an evidence base. My only slight concerns would be if people are using the tape rather than seeing a physician or if they're using the tape whilst exercising when they should be recovering. Obvs there's also the money the company are making off something that has no evidence base, but then a lot of triathlon involves expensive toys that make marginal differences.
I have been taped up twice following visits to the Physio; lower back and right calf. I always try to keep an open mind but have to say on each occasion it was applied to me I did not feel any real benefits. #placebo
It was invented 50 years ago and there is still no a lot of concrete evidence of benefits. Given the money made from it I think that answers your question
Right?!
It worries me when physios use it on their patients, considering that it has no proven effect other than placebo.
Oh, chiros swear by it? Count me out lmao
Per the inventor's description of how it works, it doesn't. You may find it effective but that is observational bias and regression to the mean. No such thing as the placebo effect outside of subjective outcomes...
"...it was invented by a chiropractor..."
ANNDDDd that's really all we need to know but the utter lack of studies after 40 years is telling, isn't it?
How many times have people gone to a chartered physio and are none the better after paying out big money. If you left your car to a mechanic to be fixed and it was no different would you pay out a large sum, no, if you called in a plumber to fix a leak and after pottering about and rubbing your pipes and it was the exact same as before and he or she had their hand out for a hefty fee, would you pay no. So why pay these chancers if they dont fix the problem. Pay on results not because they have their name on the wall as a chartered anything. Ask the question at the start, if what you do has no effect what so ever do I have to pay you.
Yeah so basically it doesn't work but helps mentally (aka placebo).
A fashion accessory and a placebo with no drawback other than the exorbitant cost.
I used it when I did my first ultramarathon. I had plantar fasciitis on the run up, but KT tape helped provide enough support so I could run without pain. It lasted through the whole race.
Couldn't agree more!
It's psychological but hey if it gives you a mental advantage that's great. Total bs marketing on that stuff.
snake oil......its the power of suggestion
HAHAHAHA "There is no evidence it does anything but lots of people use it so it must be good" (see also placebo)
I never used it bc seems pointless to me
I always thought it was a snake oil. I can't see how it could affect the muscles or ligaments.
PS: is that an ANZ or a SA accent?
I believe James is South African
Of course it was developed by a chiropractor...
I have hairy legs and I'm scared 🤣
I used it once without shaving, needless to say, by the time I had to remove it, it was not fun
It’s just a placebo. Easy as that.
modern day snake oil