Many people associate the use of kinesiology tape with sport and active lifestyles, yet there is growing evidence that it can be helpful in painful conditions that restrict people’s everyday function. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be a nasty condition, characterised by chronic inflammation and pain, and commonly affects the small joints such as the hands. This can impair the basic, everyday activities of many people.
A pilot study conducted in Poland looked at the effect of adding kinesiology taping to the usual physiotherapy exercises that patients completed as part of their management of rheumatoid arthritis. They included 20 subjects with RA, and had 10 subjects complete the usual physiotherapy exercises, and 10 subjects did the same physiotherapy exercises plus had kinesiology tape applied to their hands and forearms. All subjects completed baseline measures before the trial, measuring hand strength via a dynamometer, and completing a novel “hand function test” which involved screwing and unscrewing a bottle top three times, measured by the time it took to complete the task in seconds.
After 2 weeks of rehabilitation, the measures were repeated. Both groups had improved their strength and speed in the “hand function” test compared to baseline, however the kinesiology taping group had improved significantly more than the exercise only group. The authors concluded that kinesiology taping may be a useful adjunct to standard exercise therapy in the management of RA in the hand. Whilst only a pilot study, this trial demonstrates the potential ability of kinesiology tape to reduce pain in a “non-sporting” context. This is encouraging for many practitioners who don’t necessarily treat sporting injuries, as they can utilise kinesiology tape to help their patients complete essential daily tasks with less pain, which is arguably more important than improving sporting performance!
Szczegielniak, J., Luniewski, J., Bogacz, K., & Sliwinski, Z., (2012). The use of Kinesio Taping for physiotherapy of patients with rheumatoid hand- pilot study. Ortopaedia, Traumatologica & Rehabilitacja 14, 23-30.
It was determined I have arthtitis at a point wher a rib is attached to mt spine. Can yhis tape help and how would I apply it. Yhe pain comes when I golf.
Hi Tom,
I would recommend applying an “+” over the point where you feel the pain. The application would be with the area on stretch, i.e. you arch your back, and apply no stretch on the end of the tape, but approximately 25% through the middle of the application.
Cheers Tony
Can k tape help with bursitis in the feet.
Hi Denise,
Yes it can do. Apply the RockTape over the area of discomfort. Depending where the pain is the application used might be like the Achilles, plantar fascia or bunion applications. Videos for all of these can be found on the website.
Cheers Tony
How about application to the ankles?
Hi Suzanne,
Yes RockTape can be used for ankles to provide some support but allow full range of movement, or to reduce inflammation and pain. Refer the last video in this link – https://rocktape.com.au/video-leg/
Have a great weekend.
Cheers Tony
Can this taping help with sciatic pain
Hi Loretta,
It potentially can assist reduce sciatica pain. You will see an example of a taping application for sciatica pain via the attached link on the pregnancy instructions – https://rocktape.com.au/video-taping-instructions-pdf-version/
Please contact me if you have any other questions in relation to the use of RockTape.
Cheers Tony
Can this tape help with arthritis in the foot
Hi Wendy,
Yes RockTape may reduce arthritic pain felt in the foot. It has successfully reduced athritic pain felt in many arthritic knees. The RockTape should stay in place for 3-5 days. You can shower or swim with RockTape on. There is an on line video for the Achilles application at https://rocktape.com.au/video-leg/ and you can slightly modify the application depending on where you are feeling the discomfort, so that the RockTape crosses over the area of most discomfort.
Please contact me if you have any other questions in relation to the foot application, or RockTape in general.
Cheers Tony
How would u tape a shall finger with rheumatoid arthritis
Hi Crystal,
Do you mean “a small finger” as opposed to “a shall finger”? If so I will get a suggestions from our Director of Education asap.
Cheers Tony
Hi Crystal,
You could apply tape along the back of the finger with it flexed and then a decompression strip across the painful joint. I would cut a 5cm wide piece in half.
Cheers Tony
Would taping help misshapen hands due to rheumatoid?
Hi Tony I have a ligament issue in my left hand near my pinkie. It’s called contracture of the hand, and the ligament is often hard to touch. Would rock tape help to alleviate pain?
Can rocktape help with knee surgery from High Tibial Osteotomy to assist in running?
Hi Jason,
It is very common for Rocktape to be used on knees. However, let me check with our Director of Education to ascertain the best method of applying the RockTape for you.
Cheers Tony
I have arthritis in the middle finger of my left hand and arthritis in the index finger of my right hand. I do a lot of typing. Can Rocktape help and is their a video showing how to tape.
Hi Deborah,
RockTape may assist reduce the pain you are feeling. I would recommend you tape along the back of the finger with it flexed and then a decompression strip across the painful joint. The second piece is applied at a 90 degree angle compared to the first piece. There isn’t a video for a finger, but you could look at the video for the games thumb which is similar – https://rocktape.com.au/video-arms/
Please contact me if you have any other questions.
Cheers Tony
Hi Tony,
I have very limited wrist movement due to rheumatoid arthritis, my doc says there’s always microinflammation. Can you suggest a taping technique that can help me be more functional?
Hi Jenny,
I would recommend you trial the wrist taping application which you will find at the attached link – https://rocktape.com.au/video-arms/
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Cheers Tony
Would taping the bottom thumb knuckle help with arthritis and inflammation? And how would you suggest doing that?
Hi Kristy,
I have just separately emailed you with some thumb taping application examples. If you havent’ received the email please check your junk mail.
Cheers Tony
I was wondering if you guys could email some taping techniques for osteoarthritis in the right thumb..it’s in the first carpometacarpal joint and sometimes it will actually sublux. Thanks a bunch!
Caity
Hi Caitlin,
I will separately email you some taping examples.
Cheers Tony
When I get up from a chair the outside of my left knee sounds like a dog growling! Is this cartilage ? My other knee is often painful where bones meet the patella. It is definitely RA and I am 82. Would tape help? Thanks
Hi Mary,
RockTape wouldn’t do any harm and may assist reduce the pain you are feeling. My 75 year old Dad uses RockTape on his arthritic knee. He applies one piece of RockTape (about 15cm long) over the area of the knee that is sore and leaves it on for 3 days.
The RockTape is quite easy to apply. There are some video demonstrations on line to assist.
You can buy RockTape from any Chemist Warehouse of Priceline store.
Please contact me via tony@rocktape.com.au if you have any other questions in relation to the knee application or RockTape in general.
Cheers Tony
Hi Mary,
RockTape could assist reduce the pain you are feeling. I’ve separately emailed you a photo of how you could potentially apply the RockTape.
RockTape is quite easy to apply and there are some good education videos on line. RockTape can be purchased from any Chemist Warehouse or Priceline store.
Please contact me if you have any other questions in relation to RockTape (tony@rocktape.com.au)
Cheers Tony
Hi can you show me strapping for rheumatoid arthritic hands
Hi Maureen,
RockTape could assist reduce some pain in the hands. I will separately send you an email with an image of a possible application. RockTape is quite easy to apply and there are some good education videos on line. RockTape can be purchased from any Chemist Warehouse or Priceline store.
Please contact me if you have any other questions in relation to RockTape (tony@rocktape.com.au)
Cheers Tony
I have RA mainly in my elbows. My elbows are inflamed and painful to move and the left arm needs help to straighten. How would I apply the tape to help with pain and mobility? Also my toes are starting to turn and become deformed can the tape help with that too?
Hi Nancy,
There are videos on our website which show how to apply RockTape to elbows. You will possibly need someone to assist you to apply RockTape to your arm. If you can reduce the pain you are feeling then you will probably find that you are moving better and your mobility will improve.
I’m not sure how effective the RockTape would be on your toes. Where are you based? Perhaps I can refer you to an experienced practitioner in your area who could assist assess you and show you how to apply the RockTape.
Cheers Tony
In my earlier post I forgot to ask about my shoulders. They are also affected by RA and I have shoulder impingement probably due to compensating for my bad elbows. Can the tape help with this?
Hi Nancy,
Yes, RockTape is used regularly on shoulders to assist provide support, reduce pain and assist encourage correct movement patterns. There are videos on our website showing how to apply RockTape to shoulders.
Cheers Tony
I am 49 years old and I have hip arthritis. Can I use rock tape to help relieve my pain?
Hi Lori,
The RockTape may assist reduce the pain you are feeling. I would recommend watching a couple of videos and applying the RockTape similar to the hamstring application video – but obviously applying the RockTape under the clothing over the sorest part of your hip. https://rocktape.com.au/video-leg/
I would also recommend having a read of the blog post – RockTape tips and tricks to ensure you get the most benefit from your RockTape application – https://rocktape.com.au/rocktape-tips-and-tricks/
Cheers Tony
How would you tape severe osteoarthritis in the thumb – specifically the joint closest to the wrist?