Kinesiotape vs White Tape

In the past 5 years taping for athletes has radically changed. The old, locked in white ankle tape has quickly been replaced by better looking and better functioning Kinesiotape (and others). The kinesiotape got a big market boost when Kerry Walsh wore it on her right shoulder during the Olympic games a few years back. Truthly, the taping and its techniques has been commonplace amongst Physical Therapists & Chiropractors for the past 10 years. But now that a super star used it during the Olympics and more importantly on TV, everybody wants it. Now I guess we have to ask ourselves, “does it really work”?

The answer in my clinic, yes and emphatically yes! Whether used to help fix your posture, stabilize your ankle, or help flush out swelling, yes… But now I can officially say it works according to researchers as well. In the latest Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (May 2011), researchers examined the use of traditional white tape vs Kinesiotape vs no tape to examine the effects on ankle stability. Their conclusion stated that no taping would prevent the possibilities of ankle injuries, but we can infer that Kinesiotaping would provide ankle support after a sprain has been sustained…