Kinesiology Taping: Lumbar Spine and Trunk

Commonly Asked Questions: Lumbar Spine and Trunk Kinesiology Taping

• Benefits of kinesiology tape for the lumbar spine and trunk (Summary or Systematic Research Review): Healthy participants receiving an application of kinesiology tape to the lumbar spine and/or anterior trunk may exhibit improvements in muscle endurance and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Individuals exhibiting lumbopelvic hip complex dysfunction (including low back pain) may exhibit less improvement following kinesiology taping when compared to manual therapy or exercise. However, the addition of kinesiology tape to manual therapy and/or exercise may result in significant improvements in short and long-term outcomes for mechanical detection threshold, pain pressure threshold, range of motion (ROM), muscle endurance, posture, quality of life scores, and function. Note that kinesiology tape (with tension) may be particularly effective for reducing acute pain intensity.
• How to use kinesiology tape: The Brookbush Institute recommends using kinesiology tape to reinforce optimal alignment and/or activation techniques with the intent of improving carry-over from session to session. Additionally, some taping methods may be effective for reducing acute pain intensity.
• How it works: It is hypothesized that kinesiology tape improves mechanical detection threshold which may aid in maintaining more optimal alignment. For example, for an individual with low back pain and symptoms exacerbated by flexion, kinesiology tape over lumbar extensors may reduce the instances of lumbar flexion and potentially aid in maintaining a more optimal lumbar lordosis. Further, kinesiology tape may alter afferentation by providing a continuous sensory input that competes with the sensation of pain, reducing both pain and kinesiophobia.
• Who should not use the tape? Individuals with sensitive skin or known sensitivities/allergies to adhesives (e.g., the adhesive used on band-aids) should not use kinesiology tape. It should also not be used over open wounds.
• Removing the tape: The adhesive on kinesiology tape is strong and can damage the skin if removed carelessly. Do not rip the tape off. Instead, brace the skin and remove the tape in the direction of hair growth. Even in areas with "no hair," there is generally a direction of peach fuzz or hair follicles. Use the opposite hand to pull the skin taut in the opposite direction you are pulling the tape.
• Duration of Effect (How long should you leave the tape on?): Kinesiology tape is recommended to reinforce positions acquired through improved mobility and muscle recruitment and typically has an effect for 48 to 72 hours. While it should not be used as a stand-alone intervention, we have observed substantial improvements in carryover, particularly when the patient is participating in 2 or more sessions per week.
• Can you apply the tape yourself? With some coaching from an experienced practitioner, some applications of kinesiology tape can be self-administered, such as taping around the feet, ankles, and knees. However, it is almost impossible to apply kinesiology tape effectively to areas on the back of the shoulders, the scapula, the lower back, or the neck. For example, the two taping techniques in this course could not be effectively self-administered.
• Tape Selection: Not all kinesiology tapes are created equal. High-quality tape should have a waterproof adhesive that lasts while minimizing skin irritation, and the fabric should be durable and elastic enough to maintain its effect for 48-72 hours. Although a specific brand does not sponsor us, we have consistently found Rocktape to be a reliable choice for our patients, which include a significant number of athletes and advanced exercisers. Of course, brands like KT Tape, Kinesiotape, and Kinesio Tex are popular and preferred by many professionals.
• Who should include kinesiology tape in their practice? The techniques in this course are recommended for all clinical human movement professionals (physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, athletic trainers, massage therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, etc.) who intend to develop an evidence-based , systematic, integrated , patient-centered, and outcome-driven approach.

Techniques Covered in this Course:

• Lumbar Spine (Decompression): Kinesiology Tape
• Core (Diaphragm, Glutes, and Low Back Decompression) Kinesiology Tape

Topics Covered in this Course

• Evidence-based Summary Statement and Recommendations
• Signs of Correlated Dysfunction
• Sample Intervention
• Systematic Research Review Summary (with Audio Voice-over)
• Systematic Research review (with Audio Voice-over
• Techniques with Video and Written Instruction
• Bibliography

Pre-approved credits for:

• Integrated Manual Therapist (IMT) Certification

Pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits for:

• Athletic Trainers
• Chiropractors
• Group Exercise Instructors
• Massage Therapists
• Occupational Therapists - Intermediate
• Personal Trainers
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapy Assistants
• Yoga Instructors

This Course Includes:

• AI Tutor
• Study Guide
• Text and Illustrations
• Audio Voice-over
• Research Review
• Technique Videos
• Practice Exam
• Pre-approved Final Exam

Compare to Sham Taping

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2. Buke, M., & Unver, F. (2020). Effects of Kinesio tape application to trunk isokinetic strength in female participants. Research in Sports Medicine, 28(3), 303-313.
3. Merino-Marban, R., Smuka, I., Romero-Ramos, O., Fernandez-Rodriguez, E., & Mayorga-Vega, D. (2021). Acute and 24 h effect of kinesio taping on lower back muscle soreness during continued practice of cross-country skiing among collegiate students. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(21), 2427-2433.
4. Abbasi, S., Hadian Rasanani, M. R., Ghotbi, N., Olyaei, G. R., Bozorgmehr, A., & Rasouli, O. (2020). Short-term effect of kinesiology taping on pain, functional disability and lumbar proprioception in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain: a double-blinded, randomized trial. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 28, 1-10.
5. Peñalver-Barrios, M. L., Lisón, J. F., Ballester-Salvador, J., Schmitt, J., Ezzedinne-Angulo, A., Arguisuelas, M. D., & Doménech, J. (2021). A novel (targeted) kinesio taping application on chronic low back pain: Randomized clinical trial. Plos one, 16(5), e0250686.
6. Augustsson, S. R., Reinodt, S., Sunesson, E., & Haglund, E. (2022). Short-term effects of postural taping on pain and forward head posture: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1), 162.
7. Pourahmadi, M. R., Bagheri, R., Jannati, E., Takamjani, I. E., Sarrafzadeh, J., & Mohsenifar, H. (2018). Effect of elastic therapeutic taping on abdominal muscle endurance in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomized, controlled, single-blind, crossover trial. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 41(7), 609-620.
8. Castro-Sánchez, A. M., Lara-Palomo, I. C., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G. A., Fernández-Sánchez, M., Sánchez-Labraca, N., & Arroyo-Morales, M. (2012). Kinesio Taping reduces disability and pain slightly in chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomised trial. Journal of physiotherapy, 58(2), 89-95.Kinesiology Tape Added to Exercise
9. Ogunniran, I. A., Akodu, A. K., & Odebiyi, D. O. (2023). Effects of kinesiology taping and core stability exercise on clinical variables in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 33, 20-27.
10. Pakkir Mohamed, S. H., Al Amer, H. S., & Nambi, G. (2023). The effectiveness of Kinesio taping and conventional physical therapy in the management of chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Clinical Rheumatology, 42(1), 233-244.
11. Maggi, L., Celletti, C., Mazzarini, M., Blow, D., & Camerota, F. (2022). Neuromuscular taping for chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized single-blind controlled trial. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 1-7.
12. Atici, Y., Aydin, C. G., Atici, A., Buyukkuscu, M. O., Arikan, Y., & Balioglu, M. B. (2017). The effect of Kinesio taping on back pain in patients with Lenke Type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A randomized controlled trial. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, 51(3), 191-196.
13. Celenay, S. T., Mete, O., Akan, S., Yildirim, N. U., & Erten, S. (2020). Comparison of the effects of stabilization exercise plus kinesio taping and stabilization exercise alone on pain and well-being in fibromyalgia. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 38, 101076.Kinesiology Tape for Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
14. Kaplan, Ş., Alpayci, M., Karaman, E., Çetin, O., Özkan, Y., İlter, S., ... & Şahin, H. G. (2016). Short-term effects of Kinesio Taping in women with pregnancy-related low back pain: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 22, 1297.
15. Chamnankrom, M., Manimmanakorn, N., Manimmanakorn, A., Kongwattanakul, K., & Hamlin, M. J. (2021). Effects of elastic tape in pregnant women with low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 34(1), 111-119.
16. Ordahan, B., & Eriç Horasanlı, J. (2021). Effectiveness of kinesiotaping in pregnant women with sacroiliac joint pain: A randomised controlled study. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 75(9), e14432.Kinesiology Tape Compared to Modalities
17. Alikhajeh, Y., Barabadi, E., & Rahimi, G. R. M. (2020). A comparison of 6 weeks of aquatic exercise and kinesio taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 30(1), 37-42.
18. Bataller-Cervero, A. V., Rabal-Pelay, J., Roche-Seruendo, L. E., Lacárcel-Tejero, B., Alcazar-Crevillen, A., Villalba-Ruete, J. A., & Cimarras-Otal, C. (2019). Effectiveness of lumbar supports in low back functionality and disability in assembly-line workers. Industrial health, 57(5), 588-595.
19. Aguilar-Ferrándiz, M. E., Matarán-Peñarrocha, G. A., Tapia-Haro, R. M., Castellote-Caballero, Y., Martí-García, C., & Castro-Sánchez, A. M. (2022). Short-Term Effects of a Supervised Exercise Program in Addition to Electrical Stimulation or Kinesio Taping on Pain and Disability in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Kinesiology Tape Added to Manual Therapy
20. Added, M. A. N., Costa, L. O. P., de Freitas, D. G., Fukuda, T. Y., Monteiro, R. L., Salomão, E. C., ... & Costa, L. D. C. M. (2016). Kinesio taping does not provide additional benefits in patients with chronic low back pain who receive exercise and manual therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 46(7), 506-513.
21. Llamas-Ramos, I., Cortés-Rodríguez, M., & Llamas-Ramos, R. (2022). Kinesiotape effectiveness in mechanical low back pain: A randomized clinical trial. Work, 72(2), 727-736.
22. Schmidt, S., Wölfle, N., Schultz, C., Sielmann, D., Huber, R., & Walach, H. (2021). Assessment of a taping method combined with manual therapy as a treatment of non-specific chronic low back pain–a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 22(1), 410. More or Less Tape Used
23. Kim, D. J., Choi, I. R., & Lee, J. H. (2020). Effect of balance taping on trunk stabilizer muscles for back extensor muscle endurance: A randomized controlled study. Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal Interactions, 20(4), 541. KinesiologyTape Compared to Different Types of Tape
24. Pires, L. G., Padula, R. S., Junior, M. A. D. L., Santos, I., Almeida, M. O., Tomazoni, S. S., ... & Costa, L. O. P. (2020). Can Kinesio Taping® influence the electromyographic signal intensity of trunk extensor muscles in patients with chronic low back pain? A randomized controlled trial. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 24(6), 539-549.
25. Banerjee, G., Briggs, M., & Johnson, M. I. (2019). The effects of kinesiology taping on experimentally-induced thermal and mechanical pain in otherwise pain-free healthy humans: A randomised controlled repeated-measures laboratory study. Plos one, 14(12), e0226109.
26. Bozkurt, T., Kilic, R. T., & Yosmaoglu, H. B. (2021). The effect of elastic therapeutic taping and rigid taping on pain, functionality, and tissue temperature in lumbar radiculopathy: a randomized controlled study. Somatosensory & Motor Research, 38(4), 373-380.
27. Macedo, L. B., Richards, J., Borges, D. T., Melo, S. A., Reis, D. D., & Brasileiro, J. S. (2021). The influence of Kinesio Taping on muscle fatigue in individuals with low back pain: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 34(4), 613-621.
28. Alahmari, K. A., Rengaramanujam, K., Reddy, R. S., Samuel, P. S., Tedla, J. S., Kakaraparthi, V. N., & Ahmad, I. (2020). The immediate and short-term effects of dynamic taping on pain, endurance, disability, mobility and kinesiophobia in individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. PloS one, 15(9), e0239505.