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Kinesio tape for shoulder pain Taping a weak rotator cuff or sore shoulder for support during rehab, and what it can and cannot do
Kinesio tape for shoulder pain is applied by a therapist over the rotator cuff, the front of the shoulder or the shoulder blade to give a feeling of support and a reminder to hold a better position while you exercise. Because the tape stretches, you can still raise and rotate the arm. Studies show it may ease pain and improve movement a little in the short term for some people, but it does not repair a torn or irritated tendon. Shoulder pain has several possible causes, so an exam comes first, and the tape is one part of a physical therapy plan built on strengthening.
A sore shoulder can make reaching overhead, sleeping on that side or lifting a bag a struggle. At Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance, our therapists use kinesio taping during physical therapy at our Brooklyn and Staten Island offices to support the shoulder while you rebuild strength. The videos show three of the tape layouts used in our therapy gyms.
Possible causes of shoulder pain
- Rotator cuff irritation or tears: pain lifting the arm out to the side or overhead; see rotator cuff exercises
- Frozen shoulder: stiffness in every direction; see frozen shoulder treatment
- Instability: after a dislocation or with loose joints; see shoulder dislocation recovery
- Arthritis and bursitis
- Pain from the neck: an irritated nerve can be felt in the shoulder and arm
Symptoms alone do not make the diagnosis. A physician examines the shoulder and orders X-rays, diagnostic ultrasound or an MRI when the exam suggests they are needed; see shoulder pain treatment.
How kinesio tape for shoulder support is applied
For a weak rotator cuff, strips usually run from the shoulder blade over the top of the shoulder and down the upper arm. For posture, tape may cross the shoulder blades to remind you not to slump. Your therapist chooses the pattern for your goal, then has you move to check that it helps. Tape usually stays on for three to five days through showers; take it off sooner if the skin itches or burns. To learn more about how the tape works, see how does kinesio tape work?.
Taping is one part of shoulder rehab
The main work is restoring motion and strengthening the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles, with hands-on care and a home exercise program. Tape can make those exercises more comfortable for a while. If pain does not improve, your physician reviews the plan, which may include other options such as a shoulder injection. See shoulder injury recovery. Seek urgent care for a shoulder that looks deformed after a fall, sudden weakness, or chest pain with arm pain.
More videos: taping the shoulder in therapy
More clips from our YouTube channel @precisioncaremedical showing kinesiology taping for shoulder support.
Related care at Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance
Kinesio tape for shoulder pain near you
Looking for shoulder taping or a physical therapist for shoulder pain near me? Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance offers kinesio taping as part of physical therapy at our Brooklyn office on Shell Rd, close to Midwood, Marine Park and Sheepshead Bay, and at our Staten Island office on Richmond Rd, serving Great Kills, Eltingville and New Dorp.
Our pain physicians, Ashley Marcus, MD in Brooklyn, Jake Stephen, DO on Staten Island and Yuri Gordin, MD in Manhattan examine shoulder pain at all three offices, including the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center in Midtown Manhattan, reachable from Spanish Harlem and Washington Heights. Request an appointment or call the office closest to you.
Questions patients ask
Does kinesio tape help shoulder pain?
It may ease pain and make exercise easier in the short term for some people. It works best alongside strengthening, not on its own.
Can kinesio tape fix a rotator cuff tear?
No. Tape can support the shoulder during exercise, but it does not repair a tendon. An exam, and imaging when needed, guides treatment.
How do you tape a shoulder for support?
Strips usually run from the shoulder blade over the top of the shoulder and down the upper arm. A therapist sets the stretch and direction for your goal.
How long can kinesio tape stay on the shoulder?
Usually three to five days, including showers. Remove it sooner if the skin itches, burns or blisters.
When should I see a doctor for shoulder pain?
If pain lasts more than a few weeks, wakes you at night, follows a fall, or comes with weakness, numbness or a shoulder that looks out of place.
Where can I get kinesio tape for shoulder pain near me?
Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance offers kinesio taping at two offices:
- Brooklyn2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, Brooklyn, NY 11223(718) 648-1234 · Get directions
- Staten Island1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, Staten Island, NY 10304(718) 339-7100 · Get directions
Taping is part of physical therapy in Brooklyn and Staten Island only; our physicians examine shoulder pain at all three offices.
Educational only, not medical advice. These videos and this article explain common problems and treatments in general terms. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. Results vary from person to person. See a qualified clinician about your own symptoms, and call 911 or go to an emergency room for an emergency.
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