How To Use Kt Tape For Lower Back Pain

Here’s what we know about how to use Kt tape for lower back pain, how physical and sports therapists use it, its benefits, tips, and what to know.

What Is A Kt Tape?

Kinesiology Tape or KT  tape is an elastic sports tape designed to relieve pain while supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

• KT Tape fibers allow for moisture release which is critical for comfort and wearability. As a result, the tape provides greater comfort over a longer period.
• KT Tape’s specially formulated adhesive is latex-free, hypo-allergenic, and designed to last through humidity, sweat and showers, and multiple days of wear

Choosing Your Kinesiology Tape

Looking for the best kinesiology tape? TheraBand Kinesiology Tape is the best choice.

Types Of Kinesiology Tape Cuts

There are 3 common kinesiology tape cuts used when taping.

1. The I-Cut:  The most used kinesiology tape cut. The precut strip roll is all I-Cuts which can easily be turned into Y or Fan cuts too.
2. The Y-Cut: Used for larger areas
3. The Fan Cut: Used to reduce swelling

How Does Kinesiology Tape Work?

When an area of the body is injured through impact or over-use, the lymphatic fluid builds up causing inflammation and swelling. This accumulation of lymphatic fluids may cause increased pressure on muscles and tissue which can cause significant discomfort or pain.

Placement is key when learning how to apply KT tape to Lower Back Pain, throbbing knees, aching shoulders, shin splints, or anywhere else that’s causing you grief.

When applied correctly, KT Tape lifts the skin, decompressing the layers of fascia, allowing for greater movement of lymphatic fluid which transports white blood cells throughout the body and removes waste products, cellular debris, and bacteria.

What Is Kinesiology Tape Used For?

Kinesiology tape stabilizes the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues the tape is wrapped around. This tape allows the connective tissue surrounding the affected muscle or tendon to move along with the body.

 Relief is generally felt immediately and allows the body to return to a healthy posture and normal function

1. Relieve lower back pain and pressure
2. Helps reduce edema and swelling.
3. Pain reduction whereas any back injury
4. Increase circulation to promote the healing process
5. Enhancing the performance of the affected back area
6. Preventing any injuries to the back
7. Provide proprioceptive support
8. Repositioning the structure of the back
9. Facial and ligamentous correction of the back.
10. Help support the full range of motion of joints while supporting the muscles.

Who Should You Use Kt Tape

KT Tape can be used by anyone with common injuries such as lower back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprained ankles, and tennis elbow—just to name a few. KT Tape provides pain relief and support* so you don’t have to slow down.

Caution: When You Should Not Use Kt Tape

If you have skin sensitivities, cancer, or are pregnant, consult your doctor before use. Discontinue use if skin becomes irritated or sore.

How To Use Kt Tape For Lower Back Pain

Pain in the low back can be a very complicated problem. Low back pain can be caused by hip misalignments, sitting or standing for long periods of time, overuse, or blunt force trauma. Correct use and application of KT Tape will help treat this condition by relieving pressure and providing support for the back.

What You Need

• 2 strips of KT TAPE
• Someone to help apply

Prepare The Skin On The Back Area

• Clean dirt, oils, and lotions from the area

When To Apply Before Activity

• Apply one hour before beginning the activity

Activating Adhesive

• After application rub tape vigorously to activate adhesive

How To Apply Kinesio Tape:

1. 1 Measure and cut a Y STRIP from PSIS ( Posterior superior iliac spine) to the mid-point of the spine.
2. If you’re unsure how to cut a Y STRIP, see our ‘Types Of Kinesiology Tape Cuts” above.
3. Lay the base of the Y STRIP directly over PSIS with no tension.
4. 2 Place the back into lumbar flexion and left side flexion.
5. The most effective way to do this is in 4-point kneeling, however, you can also just bend forward in standing if it’s easier.
6. Lay one-half of the Y STRIP down along the line of the Erector Spinae with no tension.
7. Repeat on the opposite side and return the patient to a neutral spine position.
8. 3 Cut another small strip of tape, measured between the 2 tails of your Y STRIP.
9. Rip the backing paper into 3, and remove the middle section.
10. Stick the tape directly across the point of pain with 50-75% tension.
11. Stick the ends of the strip down with 0% stretch, this will help to prevent excessive recoil.
12. Wait at least 30 minutes before exercising.

Application Of Kinesio Taping  In Photos

Kt Tape For Lower Back Pain On One Side-Video

Possible causes of lower back pain on the right side include sprains and strains, kidney stones, infections, and conditions that affect the intestines or reproductive organs. People should speak with a doctor if they experience lower back pain that does not improve with rest or affects daily life

How To Safely Remove Kinesio Tape

Tips for getting the tape off without hurting your skin.

1. Apply some oil or lotion on top of the tape to loosen the strip.
2. Remove it slowly. Don’t force. Don’t pull up.
3. After nudging up one end of the strip, press down on your skin to separate it from the tape.
4. Pull the tape back against itself, rather than straight up away from you.
5. Compress your skin gently while pulling the tape back in the direction of the end tab.
6. Walk your fingers along your skin as you go.
7. If your skin is irritated or damaged, don’t reapply the tape but rather consider talking  to your physical therapist or doctor

How To Use Kt Tape For Lower Back Pain- Video

Conclusion:

Kinesio taping is not a substitute for traditional physical therapy or exercise. Rather, KT may be most effective when used as adjunctive therapy, perhaps by improving ROM, muscular endurance, and motor control. More high-quality studies that consider the multiple factors that mediate CLBP, in the short, intermediate, and long term, are needed to strengthen the evidence of the effectiveness of KT on CLBP. ( Nelson NL. Kinesio taping for chronic low back pain: A systematic review. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2016 Jul;20(3):672-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.04.018. Epub 2016 Apr 27. PMID: 27634093.)