DESCRIPTION
Kinesio taping was founded by Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase in the 1970s. A surge in popularity resulted after the Kinesio taping product was donated to Olympic athletes in the 2008 and 2012 summer Olympics. Kinesio taping experts provided taping services and educational demonstrations at polyclinic venues throughout the 2014 winter Olympics.
The tape is applied with the affected muscle in a stretched position, taping from the origin of the muscle to the insertion point. Once applied, it is rubbed to activate the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Application is in three general shapes or techniques. An "I" shape is used for small or linear places. A "Y" shape is used for larger muscles (e.g., deltoid), and the "X" shape is used for large and long muscles (e.g., biceps).
Proposed benefits include proprioceptive facilitation (increased awareness of the position of one’s body), muscle facilitation, reduced muscle fatigue, reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness, pain inhibition, and enhanced healing (e.g., reducing edema, improvement of lymphatic drainage and blood flow). This technology may be harmful if the taping encourages an individual to exercise while injured.
Kinesio taping is known by a variety of brand names. Examples include: Kinesiotape, Kinesiology Tape, Acu or Aku tape, Kinesio Tex, Kinesio Elastic Tape, Kinesio-Orthopaedic Tape, K-tape, athletic tape, elastic tape and neuro-proprioceptive tape.
POLICY
Kinesio taping is considered investigational.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Any specific products referenced in this policy are just examples and are intended for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be a recommendation of one product over another and is not intended to represent a complete listing of all products available. These examples are contained in the parenthetical e.g., statement.
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits, or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan or government program (e.g., TennCare), the express terms of the health plan or government program will govern.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Well designed, randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up published in peer-reviewed literature regarding Kinesio taping are not available. Available articles have widespread variations in the focus of the studies and the taping techniques used. The safety and efficacy of this technology is unknown.
SOURCES
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Comparative Effectiveness Review. (2016, February).Noninvasive treatments for low back pain executive summary. Retrieved May 29, 2020 from AHRQ. (98 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
American College of Physicians. (2017). Noninvasive treatments for acute, subacute, and chronic low back pain: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians. Retrieved May 29, 2020 from https://annals.org/aim.
Biz, C., Nicoletti, P., Tomasin, M., Bragazzi, N.L., Rubbo,G.D., & Ruggieri,P. (2022). Is Kinesio taping effective for sport performance and ankle function of athletes with chronic ankle instability (CAI)? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicina, 58 (5), 620. (Level 1 evidence)
Chang, W., Chen, F., Lee, C., Lin, H., & Lai, P. (2015). Effects of kinesio taping versus McConnell taping for patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, art ID 471208. (Level 2 evidence)
Huang, Y.C., Chang, K.H., Liou, T.H., Cheng, C.W., Lin, L.F., & Huang, S.W. (2017). Effects of kinesio taping for stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 49 (3), 208-215. (Level 2 evidence)
Logan, C., Bhashyam, A., Tisosky, A., Haber, D., Jorgensen, A., Roy, A., & Provencher, M. (2017). Systematic review of the effect of taping techniques on patellofemoral pain syndrome. Sports Health, 9 (5), 456-461. (Level 2 evidence)
Lu, Z., Li, X., Chen, R., & G, C. (2018). Kinesio taping improves pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Surgery, 59 (0), 27-35. (Level 1 evidence)
Luz Júnior, M. A. D., Almeida, M. O., Santos, R. S., Civile, V. T., & Costa, L. O. P. (2019). Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis. Spine, 44 (1), 68–78. (Abstract retrieved January 24, 2023 from PubMed database.)
Lyman, K., Keister, K., Gange, K., Mellinger, C., & Hanson, T. (2017). Investigating the effectiveness of kinesio® taping space correction method in healthy adults on patellofemoral joint and subcutaneous space. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 12 (2), 250-257. (Level 3 evidence)
Nelson, N.L. (2016). Kinesio taping for chronic low back pain: a systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 20 (3), 672-681. Abstract retrieved August 7, 2019 from PubMed database.
Nunes, G.S., Feldkircher,J.M., Tessarin, B.M., Bender, P.U., da Luz, C.M., & de Noronha, M. (2021). Kinesio taping does not improve ankle functional or performance in people with or without ankle injuries: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35 (2), 182-199. Abstract retrieved January 22, 2024 from PubMed database.
Ouyang, J., Chang, K., Hsu, W., Cho, Y., Liou, T., & Lin, Y. (2018). Non-elastic taping, but not elastic taping, provides benefits for patients with knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation, 32 (1), 3-17. Abstract retrieved August 7, 2019 from PubMed database.
Ramírez, O., & Pèrez de la Cruz, S. (2017). Therapeutic effects of kinesio taping in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria, 115 (6), e356-e61. (Level 2 evidence)
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/14/2014
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 3/14/2024
ID_BT
Policies included in the Medical Policy Manual are not intended to certify coverage availability. They are medical determinations about a particular technology, service, drug, etc. While a policy or technology may be medically necessary, it could be excluded in a member's benefit plan. Please check with the appropriate claims department to determine if the service in question is a covered service under a particular benefit plan. Use of the Medical Policy Manual is not intended to replace independent medical judgment for treatment of individuals. The content on this Web site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice in any way. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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