• Winner! Quick Shot Challenge: What’s the dumbest shooting myth you’ve heard?

    View thread

Kinesio Tape Use, and Problems?

Sean the Nailer

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • May 20, 2006
    7,095
    11,176
    Winnipeg, Mb.
    Hey there ya'll,

    There are so many here who know so much more than I, and have so much more experience. So I have to throw this "out there" and see what ya'll think.

    My Lady started having an upper back issue 'some months ago'. We had seen the doc, as well as the chiropractor, and there wasn't much either of them could do. They both stated "give it time, and don't over-do it". Her mother was having an unrelated problem shortly after, and her chiropractor applied this "Kinesio Tape" and it worked 'miracles' in very short order. She then told my Lady about it, and then my Lady started investigating.

    To the point where, I/we started applying the tape (as directed) and in very short order, it REALLY started helping the symptoms of her back problem. Now, part of the procedure of using the tape is apply it (properly) and then use it for 'x' days, then take an 'x' day break from it. We did exactly that, and as soon as she stopped using the tape, it aggravated the original symptoms.

    The tape was used for about 5 weeks (on and off, as required) and then all the sudden, it was EXTREMELY ITCHY. Only where the tape was applied. She tried bearing it, for about an afternoon, but it then started to burn. She said "take this stuff off me" so I did. As soon as I had done so, the area it was applied to was quite red. She pleaded with me to scratch it. To be clearer, and specific'er, the bright red area was also in the wavy-lines glue-pattern of the tape.

    (They don't just glue the whole surface, like 'scotch' or 'duct' tape. They have a specific and distinctive pattern of parallel wavy lines. Anyone who's seen/used this tape will understand what I'm trying to describe)

    We immediately thought that maybe she'd had an allergic reaction to the tape, or something, so we obviously removed (as stated), cleaned the area with soap and water, she took an anti-histamine, and then I applied calamine lotion.

    I changed/cleaned the calamine lotion for a few days, and then started using a "stop-itch" lotion. The pattern is/was still there, bright and proud. Slightly raised, even.

    We continued with that for a few days, but then the original back issue symptoms (which were re-appearing) started becoming unbearable again, so we started applying Voltaren to the area, simply for pain relief. To be very clear here, she could hardly wait to put the tape back on, because it was working so well, and was the only thing that was actually doing anything for the existing issue. That stuff was seen as a somewhat 'miracle cure'. She/we had faith that this was going to go away, and the tape could be used again.

    Fast forward about 4 weeks.

    Numerous times a day, the itching was unbearable and the area needed to be scratched. The back problem is still there. The glue lines were definitely 'reduced', yet still obviously discernable compared to the rest of her back. This shouldn't 'be'. We'd had it with having faith and confidence that things were going to be 'ok, just give it time' and I contacted the company asking about their adhesive. I had also summarily described the above situation.

    I've been honestly asking about their adhesive, what's in it, and what can be used to counter 'whatever' was in it, to neutralize it's effect. After many emails back and forth with the Country rep, as well as (between him and: ) the US manufacturer, we have gotten no-where except for the manufacturer to allude to replacement of the tape and "send us back the unused tape and we'll test it, maybe".

    This email exchange has been going on for 9 days now, and I'm getting massively pissed. It is seeming to me that they're doing nothing but circling their wagons and denying any liability or responsibility. And yet, from the get-go, I have pointed NO fingers at anyone, nor have I attacked/charged/accused anyone directly for anything. Unless, that is, me asking specifically about the adhesive can be misconstrued as a 'charge' (or whatever). I have stated to them since the get-go, that their tape works fantastically, and that we really want to use it more because it was actually working very well.

    They asked for pictures, so I sent the best I could do, with what I was able. To be clear, the tape in question is all "one" roll, and we still have the last ~2 feet left. If there was anything 'tainted' or whatever on the piece that created the problem, then there's a chance that it is also on what we have left because we have not used ANY more from this roll since the problem appeared.

    "They" say that they've never heard of this before. I'm asking if any of ya'll have experience with this tape (past or present) and if you have anything to add here.

    It is because of their talk akin to 'circling the wagons' as opposed to "hmmm, lets take a look at the situation and see what we can do about the problem" which is why I asked them in the latest email if I should have gone straight to a lawyer instead of coming to them, first?

    I feel (personally) that society is too litigious and even if we were to get a bazillion dollars (or McDonalds coffee spill craziness) that still does NOTHING for the problem at hand.

    Which is, these wavy glue-lines and insanely irritated region on my Lady's back, that is now compounding the underlying issue of discomfort to begin with.

    And we're finally able to see her doctor again, later this coming week.
     
    Well, for what it's worth, I will say this.

    The 'company' that makes this stuff definitely doesn't care about the consumer at all. After more than a dozen emails back and forth, including pictures, all they cared about was 'where did you buy it, how much did you pay for it, and what training did I have applying the tape'.

    So there you go folks, even though the packaging says "hypoallergenic" and even though they 'pretend to try to care', they do absolutely nothing for you when you have a reaction to their product, and get (what feels like) nuclear fission on the location.

    Especially when that 'nuclear fission' itches like a bastard, and stays glaringly red [in their distinctive wavy glue pattern] for MORE THAN A MONTH after removing the stuff.

    Calamine lotion doesn't do anything to counter it, and neither does 'stop-itch'. Or soap and water, obviously.

    No, we have absolutely nothing good to say about their 'customer service', which is a shame. A true shame. Simply because before the burning started, the product was actually doing what it implicated its intent was.

    Not worth the torture, pain, discomfort, or even 'disfigurement' if you can call it that, though.
     
    Kinesio tape takes the load of weight or pressure from a specific area and distributes it across a wider area through the skin and facia. The problem is that if you have a persistent injury that will not heal on its own, all you're doing is delaying the symptoms. Taking the stress off may allow the body to heal, but if it's something that won't heal (and numerous back and joint injuries don't spontaneously heal), applying kinesio tape isn't going to do much other than relieve the pain and stress temporarily. It's akin to putting IcyHot on arthritic joints- it's basically symptomatic relief.
    If you have an injury that can heal, kinesio tape can help. If you have a persistent recurring injury that you want to avoid re-injuring or aggravating, kinesio tape can help. If you have a more severe injury, it's efficacy is much more limited.

    As for the itching, I have never heard of that.
     
    Sean, I cant comment on the tape but I have found that this works really well for skin problems. I cant say it will work for you, though it has helped me a bunch. but it cant hurt and its a small investment. I bought the cream which is in the short black bottle on the right side of the ad. I bought a 4 oz. jar and it goes a long way. I feel certain they will ship it to Canada but if not let me know and Ill pickyou up a bottle and mail or FedEx it to you. Hope she feels better shortly. Check the testimonials.

    Forces In Nature - Rejuvenating Aloe Vera and Glycerin Skin Care Solutions
     
    Last edited:
    Hi Sean,

    My wife is an Occupational Therapist and uses this stuff almost daily. She has taped me several times because I'm a fat old guy who still thinks he is 21 and I play like it. I talked to her a little bit and she said if somebody is sensitive to tapes or glues they will do a test piece 1st to check. To her it sounds like your wife is very sensitive to the adhesive and using it for as long as you did just made matters worse, it may take some time to work its way out. Hopefully her Doc will be able to get her something to speed it up and stop the itch.
     
    Did you clean the area with anything other than soap and water? The adhesive may not be water soluble. Isopropyl alcohol (70-90% rubbing alcohol) is a good adhesive solvent.

    THIS ^^^ has been done after someone suggested it in the other thread. Thank you both for that, as it seems THAT is what the problem is/was. Probably. I say that, because after washing the area a few times, over a few days with the alcohol (and actual 'black' schmutz coming off???), the marks are now going away.

    It seems. More time will tell, but this truly is the only thing that has made a difference. If this is the case, then trying to figure out how the glue 'disolved' into her back/pores and whatnot is the next question, as that makes no sense to me. But hey, progress is good, right?

    My biggest beef about this whole situation is that the Manufacturing Company themselves were of ABSOLUTELY NO HELP WHATSOEVER and all they did was CYA, run for the hills, and Deny Any/All liability or Responsibility.

    Not how good companies operate, especially around here.

    So thanks again everyone, as it is the collective group here where we have made the progress required.

    And for anyone who's going to use this "Tape" stuff, my only suggestion is that any other company than Kinesio would be my recommendation. As human beings with respect, dignity, and professionalism are those whom I'd CHOOSE to deal with.