Elastic therapeutic tape was first seen in the 1970s when Kinesio Tex Tape was invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor. The tape is used in therapy to relax overused muscles and in rehabilitation to facilitate underused muscles. The wave pattern found on the tape’s adhesive has a lifting effect on the skin which can reduce swelling and inflammation by improving circulation and reduce pain by taking pressure off pain receptors.
The popularity of Kinesio Tex Tape in the United States surged after 50,000 rolls were donated and the tape was seen on Olympic athletes in the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.