KT tape...scam or nah?
- Thread starter dimpleceo
- Start date
mmk
Hall of Fame
I play with it on my left achilles, without it I have pain and it feels like it is going to explode. It has to be applied properly, but there are a lot of youtube videos showing how to use it. A friend of mine had shoulder issues and his PT had him use it, he said it felt like cheating it made such a difference.
Doc Hollidae
Hall of Fame
KT Tape helped me get over tennis elbow. I had bought braces, but KT worked better.
Nostradamus
Bionic Poster
What about for the Back pain/ spasms ? does KT tape help for that ?? I have been seeing physical therapists but they are really Stupid,,they said they think KT tape is a scam.............lol
norcal
Legend
My PT used it on my groin injury and it had zero effect/support (IMO).
Neighbor with various injuries swears by it, says he can't play without it.
Maybe it works better with some injuries than others, maybe it's a placebo?
It's a thin, stretchy cloth tape - how much can it really do? I doubt KT's going to be funding any double blind studies, lol.
Neighbor with various injuries swears by it, says he can't play without it.
Maybe it works better with some injuries than others, maybe it's a placebo?
It's a thin, stretchy cloth tape - how much can it really do? I doubt KT's going to be funding any double blind studies, lol.
mmk
Hall of Fame
It may be a placebo for some, but I know that when I put it on incorrectly it did nothing for me, whereas when applied properly it provides real support for my achilles. The first few times I put it on I had my foot flexed up so my achilles was stretched, instead I should have had my foot pointed down with the achilles relaxed. Putting it on with the muscle/tendon/ligament that it is going to support in the right state, and with the tape properly stretched (you don't just put it on like a bandage) the stuff works, at least for me.
QuadCam
Professional
It's more mental awareness than anything. The tape isn't strong enough to truly limit movement or add significant support. It's adds a bit and when applied properly becomes a mental reminder not to over stress that area.
It's no miracle or magic take by any means..... Just a stretchy, lightly supportive tape.
It's no miracle or magic take by any means..... Just a stretchy, lightly supportive tape.
Chotobaka
Hall of Fame
KT tape hasn't done a damn thing for me on the occasions I have used it. I am very much into do it yourself PT -- I have an ultrasound, an unlimited supply of Voltaren Gel, a Cool Rush machine (lets you "ice" for extended periods of time), tens devices, etc. It is pure placebo IMO. But, placebo effect works for some folks.
tennis4me
Hall of Fame
It didn't help for me. So, I didn't use for some time. Then, when I decided to try again, the tape just wouldn't stick enough to be able to withstand the stretches/curves that was required for my condition. Apparently it has a shelf life - it was a rather short one, IMO.
Regarding "placebo effect" ... similar things have been said about the arm compression sleeve. I guess if it makes you feel you're better and plays better, then it "works".
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blo...on-kobe-bryant-and-basketballs-placebo-effect
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-...clothing-not-the-magic-bullet-for-performance
Basically the researcher said:
"So if you think these garments work, there's not really any harm in trying them out."
Regarding "placebo effect" ... similar things have been said about the arm compression sleeve. I guess if it makes you feel you're better and plays better, then it "works".
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blo...on-kobe-bryant-and-basketballs-placebo-effect
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-...clothing-not-the-magic-bullet-for-performance
Basically the researcher said:
"So if you think these garments work, there's not really any harm in trying them out."
jonestim
Hall of Fame
Works for my achilles, as does an ankle sleeve. If I play without, I am quite sore that evening and the next day. If I have either I am good 95% of the time. If it is flared up I prefer to use KT tape because it stays on for a few days. The sleeve bothers me if I wear it that long.
One thing about the KT tape is you have to get the good stuff. The cheaper cotton based stuff is useless. Horrible. If I had only used the cheap stuff I would be posting here that it's a scam.
One thing about the KT tape is you have to get the good stuff. The cheaper cotton based stuff is useless. Horrible. If I had only used the cheap stuff I would be posting here that it's a scam.
tennis4me
Hall of Fame
What do you mean "get the good stuff". Are you talking about KT-imitation brands or does KT has different line (i.e. the cheap line and the premium line)?
jonestim
Hall of Fame
KT has three lines - two of which I have used.
KT Tape Cotton = garbage. It stays on for less than a day, less with excercise, and doesn't make it through one shower.
KT Tape Pro = the good stuff. It stays on for about 3 days
TW does not sell the cotton tape. They sell the Pro and the Pro Extreme - which I am guessing sticks on better than the regular Pro.
https://www.kttape.com/kt-tape-products
purple-n-gold
Hall of Fame
K2 tape is the deal. You can leave it on for three days at a time,if u want to. I have used ice and showered and the stuff still stays on.
haqq777
Legend
Interestingly enough I am trying KT for the first time. Just put it on an hour back. Have had slight but nagging wrist pain for a while now. Was using Bengay and medical tape off and on.
I plan on keeping it on for a couple of days and seeing if it brings any sort of relief. So far, honestly, it just seems like fancy tape. I learned how to put it on properly via KT Tape Youtube videos. Easy enough. Lets see. Not looking forward to the excruciating hair pulling session when its time to take the tape off.
I plan on keeping it on for a couple of days and seeing if it brings any sort of relief. So far, honestly, it just seems like fancy tape. I learned how to put it on properly via KT Tape Youtube videos. Easy enough. Lets see. Not looking forward to the excruciating hair pulling session when its time to take the tape off.
TheOneHander
Professional
I had (have) patellar tendinitis something fierce in both knees. When I was playing most frequently, the pain was so bad that I couldn't even walk to my kitchen without some kind of tape or brace.
I started off with regular athletic tape, but it didn't do too much for me and was basically like waxing my legs every time I changed it. For a while, I wore some full-cover braces that had splints on both sides and those did the trick for me.
However, the braces didn't fix my pain and I eventually decided to go to physical therapy. They recommended kinesio tape to me, and in combination with stretches and rehabilitation exercises, things got a lot better.
Does it seem a little gimmicky? Yeah. But it worked so well for me and was totally worth the slightly higher price tag than the braces I wore. The tape was light, breathable, comfortable, and it gave me enough support to train and play without having to worry about pain.
Best of all, it was a good companion to my PT exercises and helped my body heal while still allowing me to play.
I started off with regular athletic tape, but it didn't do too much for me and was basically like waxing my legs every time I changed it. For a while, I wore some full-cover braces that had splints on both sides and those did the trick for me.
However, the braces didn't fix my pain and I eventually decided to go to physical therapy. They recommended kinesio tape to me, and in combination with stretches and rehabilitation exercises, things got a lot better.
Does it seem a little gimmicky? Yeah. But it worked so well for me and was totally worth the slightly higher price tag than the braces I wore. The tape was light, breathable, comfortable, and it gave me enough support to train and play without having to worry about pain.
Best of all, it was a good companion to my PT exercises and helped my body heal while still allowing me to play.
Tyler-James
Rookie
Here's a Cochrane review for knee taping (similar to what Nadal does): http://www.cochrane.org/CD006717/MU...-at-the-front-of-the-knee-patellofemoral-pain
And here's a systematic review comparing KT to regular cheap tape or other placebo: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24856938
Basically, for the 500 participants in the studies, there was no statistically significant difference between the perceived pain/performance between KT groups and placebo groups.
Save your money, because KT is just extra expensive hockey tape sprinkled with magic dust.
And here's a systematic review comparing KT to regular cheap tape or other placebo: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24856938
Basically, for the 500 participants in the studies, there was no statistically significant difference between the perceived pain/performance between KT groups and placebo groups.
Save your money, because KT is just extra expensive hockey tape sprinkled with magic dust.
1HBHfanatic
Legend
From what ive read, Kt tape is suppose to lift the fatty layer of the target muscle; I guess in the hopes of releiving pressure
I havent seem any medicated kt tape
and ppl using it as "support", are not using it correcttly
icehot cream and med.tape can be used instead
I havent seem any medicated kt tape
and ppl using it as "support", are not using it correcttly
icehot cream and med.tape can be used instead
Devil_dog
Hall of Fame
I've used tape on my shoulder, back and hip flexor and it works. Whether it's actual or perceived, if you believe it helps then that's all that matters. Mind over matter thing. That said, I do feel a difference on my shoulder where I use it the most and it helps with stability and offers some compression so everything feels like its where it should be. Once the area in question feels better and regains strength, I generally go without the tape. BTW, I really like the brand Rocktape. It has the best adhesion and longevity. My PT uses them too.
Sixpointone
Professional
I've used KT Tape before, and it seems to work for me. In fact, I strained my foot a week ago, and using tape on it seems to have relieved some of the pressure on it. I also like how it is water resistant, and as such stays on during a shower.
PhxRacket
Hall of Fame
I have used it, in conjunction with YouTube demos, on a variety of common sprains and pains and found it to help alleviate minor pains. I tried to use it while recovering from TE and it was not very effective.
Sixpointone
Professional
That's good firsthand insight. Out of curiosity for my own future reference, did you find any solution for you to help deal with the TE?
PhxRacket
Hall of Fame
Firstly, the information that follows is purely anecdotal and based solely on what worked for me. I stayed away from tennis for two months. During that time I followed a strict ice, stretch, heat, stretch, ice regimen. I wore a Band-It type of device when I slept and if I was using a computer keyboard excessively. After a two month period, I was mostly pain-free and I resumed playing...albeit lightly. I changed rackets and strings-heavier racquets, flexier racquets and no poly. I had stroke analysis done and learned that I was hitting late some of the time and missing the sweet spot too often. Lessons fixed those two things. That is what worked for me. I still play with a Band-It and am able to use poly, strung between 47-51--only round poly though. I moved from DR100s customized to, well a revolving door of Ultra Tour, HEAD Prestige Mid and Pro and Volkl C10. Best advice anyone gave me about TE was don't get it.
Sixpointone
Professional
I much appreciate your detailed answer! Great advice, especially at the end. Thanks, and enjoy your tennis!
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
KT Tape provides additional proprioception feedback and might augment tissue function in order to relieve pain. Does not provide support in the classical sense.
I found it effective for my shin splints and somewhat effective for other leg issues. But it did nothing for my shoulder. But it could depend on the nature of your shoulder pain or dysfunction. Plenty of tennis pros use it for the shoulder and other arm and leg issues.
Appears to be effective in some cases but not all. No experience with using it for back pain. Lower back or upper back? SpiderTech has a few pre-cut patterns for the back.
I found it effective for my shin splints and somewhat effective for other leg issues. But it did nothing for my shoulder. But it could depend on the nature of your shoulder pain or dysfunction. Plenty of tennis pros use it for the shoulder and other arm and leg issues.
Appears to be effective in some cases but not all. No experience with using it for back pain. Lower back or upper back? SpiderTech has a few pre-cut patterns for the back.
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