KT Tape for Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injuries

What Research Says and How to Apply It Correctly

KT tape can be used for rotator cuff injuries affecting the four muscles that stabilize your shoulder. It is a stretchy tape that can be worn for days to provide a feeling of joint stability without limiting your range of motion.

KT tape is made of a flexible material (usually cotton and nylon) that moves when you move. It's believed to improve your muscle function while reducing pain and swelling. It's also not for everyone, such as those with open wounds or health issues like diabetic neuropathy.

This article reviews what research says about the use of KT tape for rotator cuff tears, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, shoulder impingements, and a variety of other shoulder injuries. It also walks you through how to apply it to the front and back of the shoulder.

KT tape is another name for kinesiology tape, though it is also a brand name. For the purposes of this article, "KT tape" refers to any brand of kinesio tape, of which there are many.

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Click Play to Learn How to Use Kinesiology Tape

How Does KT Tape Help the Shoulder?

Kinesiology tape was developed during the 1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, who launched the Kinesio Tape (KT) brand. Your physical therapist may recommend using it for a rotator cuff or other shoulder injury.

That's because KT can offer benefits in healing from injury, while limiting pain and muscle spasms. This may be used with an exercise program to improve shoulder strength and coordination of your rotator cuff muscles. KT tape offers support and stability at the injury site.

KT tape is also sometimes used to improve proprioception (the awareness of your body in space) and encourage you to think about the movement of your injured shoulder so that you heal without complications. However, the research evidence of this benefit is not strong.

Some believe KT use can speed healing by increasing the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid, but this has not been proven. It is thought to reduce swelling and scarring after injury.

Keep in mind that people with certain health conditions may need to avoid KT use, including those with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), kidney disease, or congestive heart failure.

Your physical therapist will provide instruction on when and how to use the tape, which can be applied in specific configurations and angles for different purposes. It's possible to wear for several days (typically five) as you move through routine activities, though some researchers recommend a limit of 24 hours at a time for KT use.

Does It Really Work?

Research into kinesiology tape use is limited and its benefits are unknown. It's possible that positive results may be due to the placebo effect.

A 2021 review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews explored the benefits of KT taping in people with rotator cuff injuries. Based on an analysis of 23 trials involving 1,054 participants, the researchers could find no clear evidence that KT taping reduced pain, improved joint function, or increased the range of motion of the shoulder compared with sham taping.

With that said, the risks of KT taping are minimal, and it may be helpful if used with other standard tools for rehabilitation.

Applying KT Tape to the Front of the Shoulder

The anterior shoulder "I" strip of kinesiology tape.

Verywell / Brett Sears, PT

Kinesiology tape should be applied to the front of your shoulder first. Start by making sure your shoulder is clean and dry. If hair is present, a buzz clipper or razor can be used to remove it.

Here are the steps to follow. You may want a friend to help you apply the tape to ensure it is done properly.

  1. Sit with your shoulder and arm exposed.
  2. Cut a strip to the proper length. It should measure from the top of the front of your shoulder to the side of your arm.
  3. Reach behind you, placing your shoulder into extension. This stretches the muscles in the front part of your shoulder.
  4. Remove about 2 inches of the tape backing on one end of the strip and place it on the upper part of the front of your shoulder.
  5. Remove the rest of the backing.
  6. Pull the tape so that it is stretched about 25% and anchor the tape to the side of your arm, about 1/3 of the way down.

Once you have placed the tape on your shoulder, gently rub it a few times. The heat that is generated from the friction helps the tape adhere to your skin.

The aim of kinesiology taping is not to limit the range of motion of your shoulder but to help you maintain awareness of shoulder movements so that you don't overextend the joint during recovery. Proper application is essential.

Applying KT Tape to the Back of Your Shoulder

Apply an "I" strip of kinesiology tape to the back of your shoulder.

Verywell / Brett Sears, PT

Once the strip is secured to the front of your shoulder, it is time to place one on the back of your shoulder. Here is how to do it:

  • Cut a strip to the proper length. It should reach from the back of your upper shoulder to the side of your arm.
  • Sit comfortably and reach your shoulder across the front of your body. This stretches the back part of your shoulder.
  • Tear off the tape backing on about 2 inches of one side of the strip and anchor it on the upper part of the back of your shoulder.
  • Peel off the rest of the tape backing.
  • Gently pull the kinesiology tape to about 25% stretch and anchor the end on the side of your arm about 1/3 of the way down. It should slightly overlap the front strip.

Gently rub the kinesiology tape a few times to secure it and improve the adhesion.

The tape can be worn for two to five days.

Can I Get KT Tape Wet?

You can get kinesiology tape wet, so you don't need to take it off when swimming or bathing. You can also wear it during athletic activity.

Summary

KT tape for a rotator cuff injury is a common use, and your physical therapist may recommend it as part of your healing and recovery plan. However, research evidence on the benefits of its use is limited.

The tape often helps to promote stability at the shoulder without limiting motion. Its use is not likely to prove harmful, but some people should not use KT including those with open wounds or injuries, allergies to the materials, or certain underlying health conditions.

Be sure to discuss KT use with your healthcare team, and follow instructions for how to apply the tape and how long to wear it.

7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Meeusen L, Candidori S, Micoli LL, Guidi G, Stanković T, Graziosi S. Auxetic structures used in kinesiology tapes can improve form-fitting and personalizationSci Rep. 2022 Aug 5;12(1):13509. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-17688-w. 

  2. Cheatham SW, Baker RT, Abdenour TE. Kinesiology tape: a descriptive survey of healthcare professionals in the United StatesInt J Sports Phys Ther. 2021;16(3):778–96. doi:10.26603/001c.22136

  3. Kinesio. Dr. Kenzo Kase.

  4. Guney Deniz H, Kinikli G, Onal Set al. THU0727-HPR Comparison of kinesio tape application and manual lymphatic drainage on lower extremity oedema and functions after total knee arthroplastyAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2018;77:1791. 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-eular.3360

  5. Ager AL, de Oliveira FCL, Roy JS, Borms D, Deraedt M, Huyge M, et al. Effects of elastic kinesiology taping on shoulder proprioception: a systematic review. Braz J Phys Ther. 2023 May-Jun;27(3):100514. doi:10.1016/j.bjpt.2023.100514.

  6. Gianola S, Iannecelli V, Fascio E, et al. Kinesio taping for rotator cuff disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Aug 8;8(8):CD012720. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012720.pub2

  7. Andrýsková A, Lee JH. The guidelines for application of kinesiology tape for prevention and treatment of sports injuries. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 May 26;8(2):144. doi:10.3390/healthcare8020144

Additional Reading
Brett Sears, PT

By Brett Sears, PT
Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy.