How to Kinesio Tape for Scoliosis

Kinesio tape is used to help support the muscles and connective tissues of the body, and is usually used in conjunction with physical therapy and gentle exercise. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine, which can be inherited in families, or caused by various diseases, including polio.

Many patients with scoliosis are prescribed a brace, but kinesio tape is being used for mild curvature in order to support the spine. It still allows movement, stretching and range of motion exercises, to diminish pain and stiffness in patients of all ages.

Things You'll Need

• Diagnosis of Scoliosis from your doctor
• Referral to a physiotherapist
• Rolls of kinesio tape
• A helper to apply the tape at home if you can't reach the affected area of your spine

Show More

Instructions

Kinesio Tape for Scoliosis

• 1

  Where you tape for scoliosis will depend on which kind of scoliosis you have, and to what extent. Anything below a 20 degree angle is considered mild. Anything above that degree needs some form of treatment, and watchful management, with a doctor’s visit every six months to see if the curvature has changed significantly.

  The spine can curve like a C or a backwards C, or like an S. Easy signs of scoliosis include uneven shoulders, and uneven hips.

  Apply tape on the shoulder which is rising upwards, to give it more support. Put one end of the tape on the shoulder near the base of the neck. Extend the tape downwards to the edge of the shoulder blade.

• 2

  If the hips are uneven, put some tape, in the shape of a "V," on the hip which is higher than the other. The point of the V should start at the waist, with the two arms of the V spreading upwards from the waist to the edge of the ribcage.

• 3

  Tape across the waist along the back, for extra support of the spine. This will also help if the curvature appears as lordosis, also referred to as swayback.

• 4

  Tape parallel to the spine on the opposite side of the uneven shoulder, from shoulder to hip, to support the spine and muscles being pulled out of alignment.

• 5

  If the curvature of the spine appears as kyphosis, or a hump in the upper part of the back, tape that area from side to side to support the spine and muscles.