What should you know about kinesiology tape shoulder?

Flexible strips may be placed over the shoulder blade, upper arm or nearby muscles to provide skin contact as you reach and rotate. This can make the position of the shoulder easier to sense and may make certain activities more comfortable. Tape does not hold the joint like a rigid brace and should not be relied on after a suspected dislocation or fracture.

Have a physiotherapist match the application to your examination and goals. Put it on clean, dry skin without covering wounds, recent incisions or an active rash. Remove it slowly if it causes itching, burning, blisters or increasing pain. Keep using the prescribed range-of-motion or strengthening programme, and avoid lifting loads that reproduce sharp pain. If the tape changes symptoms, tell your clinician rather than assuming the shoulder has healed.

Obtain prompt assessment after a fall, sudden loss of shoulder movement, visible deformity, major swelling or a new feeling that the joint is out of place. Seek urgent help for shoulder pain with chest pressure, breathlessness, sweating or faintness. New arm weakness, persistent numbness or a hot red shoulder also warrants medical attention.

Ask what may be causing the shoulder symptoms, whether taping is suitable, and which motions should be limited or practised. Discuss previous dislocations, surgery, skin reactions and any numbness or weakness before application.