I attended an introduction clinical seminar to KT Tape that took place at Prime Care Family Practice in Colonial Heights, VA this past Thursday, August 12, 2010. While Kinesiology tape is a great way to naturally relieve pain of athletic injury, swelling (edema) or arthritis pain, there are instances where you need to exercise caution.

John MacKay, KT Tape President started the meeting off by describing to the doctors contraindications in using KT Tape brand of kinesiology tape. These precautions are not exclusive to KT Tape but should be observed when using any brand of kinesiology tape.

Sensitive areas: Neck, Back of knee, Inside Elbow (ulnar nerve)

These areas in particular are sensitive to kinesiology tape. Not everybody certainly, but some. If you feel a tingling in the form of a prickly feeling, carefully remove and avoid that area. It's ok if you feel a warm or cool sensation. It's just that prickly feeling that means you need to remove it.

Contraindications

•    Skin irritation in small percentage. Sometimes a topical Benadryl works fine.
•    Do not apply on cancer patients in treatment. You do not want to inspire movement of lymphatic fluids.
•    Do not tape the abdomen of pregnant women
•    Avoid applying the tape to the Scalene triangle area (neck). It is basically the side of the neck where the carotid artery is.
•    Back of Knee
•    Ulnar or inside elbow
•    If you or a patient experiences tingling in the form of a prickly feeling, gently remove the tape