When NOT to Use KT Tape – Or Any Other Kinesiology Tape

Like other manufacturers of the high-performance athletic tape that’s taken the world by storm, the makers of KT Tape are enthusiastic about their kinesiology tape and eager to see more people benefiting from it. Yet, they also realize that certain conditions receive no benefit from KT Tape – and could, in fact, become worse by using it – and they are quick to point these out in a post on the KT Tape blog. According to the advice given by the kinesiology tape manufacturer’s experts, in the post entitled “5 Conditions When You Should Not Use KT Tape,” there are at least five conditions for which the kinesiology tape is contraindicated (meaning you shouldn’t use it):

1. DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). DVT is a condition in which blood clots form in one or more of the deep veins of the body (often in the leg veins). Using KT Tape in cases of deep vein thrombosis can cause blood clots to break free and travel to one of the vital organs (heart, lungs, or brain), which could be fatal. If you know you suffer from DVT, never apply KT Tape to the affected body parts. According to the blog post, “Taping for a clot is very dangerous and should never be done.”
2. Kidney problems, such as Renal Insufficiency. Because KT Tape improves blood circulation and promotes lymphatic drainage, using it in conditions where the kidneys are unable to properly process body fluids can cause serious problems. As the company states, “Taping any part of the body during a state of renal insufficiency creates a risk for kidney failure.”
3. Congestive Heart Failure. The company explains that the principle is the same here as that for renal insufficiency. Because heart failure creates an already excessive buildup of blood in the heart muscle, KT Tape states that, “Moving fluid back to a failing heart can overwork it.” This would, of course, mean that KT Tape should not be used on any part of the body when such a condition exists.
4. Infection. In a similar sense to the two conditions above, the efficient movement of fluids throughout the body which KT Tape facilitates can encourage the spread of infection to other parts of the body. Since this would be undesirable and dangerous, it’s best to avoid taping whenever infection is present.
5. Cancer. The experts at KT Tape tell us that taping when cancer is present may cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body (called metastasis), which is very dangerous. For this reason, the company gives the following unequivocal warning: “Without exception, tape should never be used with malignancies.”

KT Tape can be beneficial for a wide variety of problems and conditions. However, it is not indicated (and neither is any other brand of kinesiology tape) and should never be used when any of the five conditions described above are present. If you are unsure whether any of the above conditions are present but suspect that this could be the case, refrain from using any brand of kinesiology tape until you’ve received clearance from a medical professional.