A man putting kinesiology tape on a woman’s shoulder

How to Tape Shoulder Pain

Author: Guest Writer

May 19, 2021

Tag:
pain management

For almost every movement we make, we put our shoulder joints to use. There is no doubt that they are one of the most crucial parts of our body.

Just like the hips and knees, your shoulder facilitates a great range of motion but from a relatively small joint surface. This feature makes them more susceptible to injuries.

Your shoulder injury can lead to shoulder pain, loss of mobility, reduced function, and other problems. Kinesio taping is a widely used physical therapy modality that has proven effective in relieving shoulder pain naturally. This article covers the most common shoulder pain causes, how Kinesio taping works to heal, reduce pain, and restore the function of injured areas, and how to properly KT tape your shoulder.

Common Reasons for Shoulder Pain

What can Cause Shoulder Pain?

There are a variety of shoulder blade pain causes. Below, we've highlighted the most common shoulder blade pain causes including frozen shoulder, tendinitis in the shoulder, a dislocated shoulder, and arthritis. Each shoulder joint pain cause is different and may need an additional diagnosis.

Frozen Shoulder

As the name suggests, a frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by loss of motion and stiffness in your shoulder joint.

The condition occurs when your arm has been immobilized in a cast/sling for a while.

It commonly affects people aged between 40 and 60 and is more likely to be found in women than men.

Shoulder Tendinitis

Tendinitis occurs due to excessive or repetitive use of your shoulder joints. This condition is more common with people whose job or sport requires repetitive movements and people above 40.

Poor posture at work or home or improper conditioning before and while working out can also cause tendonitis.

The most prominent shoulder tendinitis symptom is a persistent inflammation of the tendons, accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling and pain.

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Dislocated Shoulder

A dislocated shoulder is one of the most common types of shoulder injuries. Colliding with someone while playing a sport or falling hard on your shoulder can cause your upper arm bone to pop out of your shoulder joint and result in a dislocated shoulder.

The common signs of a dislocated shoulder are out-of-place shoulder joint, pain, swelling, and loss of motion.

Arthritis

Your shoulder is usually affected by two types of arthritis, i.e., osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both forms of arthritis result in shoulder pain, loss of motion, and weakness.

Osteoarthritis is caused by excessive wear and tear of the cartilage in the shoulder joint due to age or overuse.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the membranes of the shoulder joint, leading to pain and inflammation.

Kinesiology taping for shoulder pain

How does Kinesiology work?

Developed by a Japanese chiropractor, Kinesiology tapes are a therapeutic tool designed to alleviate pain and restore function. These tapes inherit the elastic properties and can mimic the function of our skin, as they are believed to be of the same weight and thickness as the epidermis.

Strengthtape's medical-grade adhesive is water-resistant, breathable, and strong enough to last for 3-5 days. It dries quickly after bathing or working out and does not cause skin irritation. It also allows unrestricted movement of the injured area.

Before applying Kinesio tapes for shoulder pain, it is recommended that you undergo an evaluation by a physical therapist. They will assess your condition and determine whether you would benefit from this treatment modality. Your PT can also help in the proper application of the tapes to obtain optimum results.

Benefits of Kinesiology Taping

Promotes Healing of the Injury
Supports weak zones
Enhances Performance
Scar management
Pain Relief

Taping Techniques for Shoulder Pain

How to apply kinesiology tape to shoulders

Applying tape to the front of your shoulder

Before beginning, make sure your shoulder is clean and dry. Oil or moisturizer on the skin can make adhesion difficult. If hair is present, remove it before applying the tape. Here is how you should use Kinesio Tapes at the front of your shoulder.

Sit straight with your shoulder and arms exposed.
Measure the distance between the top of your shoulder and the side of your arm. Then cut an "I" strip according to the length.
Extend your shoulder by reaching behind you. This will stretch the front part of your shoulder.
Remove the tape backing and place one end of the tape on the upper part of your shoulder.
Pull the tape and anchor to the side of your arm, about 1/3 of the way down.
After placing the tape, rub it gently. The heat generated from friction will help the tape to adhere properly.

Applying tape to the back of your shoulder

After taping the front of your shoulder, it is time for you to place a strip on the back of your shoulder. Here's how you can do it:

Measure the distance between the back of your upper shoulder and the side of your arm. Cut an "I" strip of appropriate length.
Sit comfortably and reach your shoulder across your body, which stretches the back part of your shoulder.
Peel the tape's backing and anchor the top end on the upper part of your back of your shoulder. Anchor the end on the side of your arm and gently adhere to the tape.

About the Author

Samantha does not have a personal blog but writes on healthcare industry since a decade for now. She is excellent at conveying thoughts and tips through story telling.

About Carex Health Brands

Carex is your one-stop shop for home medical equipment and for products that assist caregivers with providing the best possible support and care for their loved ones. Carex Health Brands has been the branded leader in in-home, self-care medical products for over 35 years. Our goal is to improve the lives of our customers by bring them quality products that bring dignity back to their lives. With our three nationally distributed brands, Carex Health Brands serves national, regional and independent food, drug and mass retailers along with wholesalers, distributors and medical dealers.

How to Tape Shoulder Pain