Does Kinesio Tape Actually Work?

As a Physical Therapist, I get asked about kinesio tape all the time. You’ve probably seen the colorful tape on athletes, runners, CrossFitters or maybe even walking around Target. But what does the research actually say?

Before becoming a PT, I worked in sports medicine as an Athletic Trainer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We used tape constantly — ankles, shoulders, knees, anything that needed support before practice or games. Athletes loved it, coaches expected it and honestly sometimes it felt like half the athletic training room was held together with tape.

A new large review published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine looked at 128 systematic reviews involving over 15,000 participants with musculoskeletal pain and injuries. The results were interesting.

Kinesio tape may help decrease pain and improve movement in the short term — especially right after it’s applied or over the next few days. But the research found little evidence that it creates meaningful long-term improvements in pain, strength or function.

So does that mean kinesio tape is useless? Not necessarily.

Tape can still be helpful as a temporary tool. Sometimes reducing pain even a little allows people to move better, exercise more confidently and stay active during recovery. It may also improve body awareness and provide a sense of support. But tape alone does not fix the underlying problem.

This is an important reminder that there is rarely one “magic” treatment in rehab. Long-term results usually come from the basics done consistently: strength training, mobility work, sleep, stress management, recovery and a personalized treatment plan.

And yes… sometimes the colorful tape still makes people feel more athletic.

Lauren DeYoe

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Reiki Master

Owner Reiki PT

Mo Q, Deng Z, Zheng J, et al. Effectiveness and clinical relevance of kinesio taping in musculoskeletal disorders: an overview of systematic reviews and evidence mapping. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 2026.