I am not ashamed to admit that I have become somewhat of a Kinesio tape connoisseur over the last few years. Much of my time has been spent on determining the most effective taping techniques, and which brand of tape satisfies my rigorous selection process best. People often ask me about the functionality of this material and the science behind it. My response is somewhat generalized and is a concoction of research-based evidence and patient feedback. The one concrete summation I can attest to is that there is a pain reduction element to almost every application I administer. The questions is, are these diminished discomfort levels a result of the physiological changes triggered by the tape and its specific application or are they a product of the placebo effect? (more…)