Above: A warehouse worker with kinesiotape applied to their shoulder for joint support.
When we hear the term athlete, we often imagine someone in a jersey on a playing field. But what about the men and women who lift, bend, twist, and reach all day on factory floors, construction sites, or warehouse docks?
These are industrial athletes—workers whose jobs demand physical strength, endurance, and mobility. And just like sports athletes, they are prone to overuse injuries, strains, and joint pain. One increasingly popular method of supporting them is kinesiotaping.
Kinesiotaping involves using elastic, adhesive tape—often seen on shoulders, backs, and knees of professional athletes—to support muscles and joints without limiting movement.
Unlike rigid athletic tape, kinesiotape is:
It gently lifts the skin, promoting better blood flow, reduced inflammation, and pain relief.
Industrial athletes face intense physical demands. From repetitive lifting to working in awkward postures, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries is high.
✅ Key Benefits:
The feedback we hear from industrial athletes is: “It’s like having a wearable reminder to move the right way.”
Above: Taping technique for lower back support during lifting.
Here are the most frequent areas taped in industrial settings:
| Body Part | Common Applications |
| Lower Back | Lifting, standing for long hours |
| Shoulders | Overhead assembly work, reaching, and loading tasks |
| Wrists | Packing, repetitive hand motions, and tool handling |
| Knees/Ankles | Walking on concrete, squatting, and climbing stairs |
Kinesiotaping is not a magic fix, but several studies show promising results:
When combined with ergonomic training and proper technique, kinesiotape can be a valuable complement to injury prevention programs.
To effectively roll out a kinesiotaping program:
Ensure taping is applied by trained physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, or athletic trainers, at least in the beginning. If the employee or a family member can learn how to apply the tape properly, it can be used more regularly.
Teach employees that tape is a support and reminder—not a substitute—for good lifting technique and proper body mechanics.
Use kinesiotaping in combination with an OSHA-compliant Early Intervention Program (EIP). In EIP, employees can receive OSHA-approved interventions to prevent early discomfort from becoming a serious injury. OSHA allows “non-rigid supports” (e.g., kinesiotaping) as one of its approved first aid interventions for musculoskeletal issues. If your organization is setting up a worksite EIP, it’s optimal if the clinician is trained in kinesiotaping.
When conducting ergonomic training where specific postures and movement patterns are required, kinesiotaping can facilitate those movements and postures.
Measure impact by surveying employees and tracking incident rates or productivity gains.
The major potential downside is skin irritation. The tape can create blisters and damage skin. It can’t be used on open wounds or people with very delicate skin.
The tape is classified as hypoallergenic. However, up to 15% of users are allergic to it. Advise employees to remove the tape if they feel itchy under or around the skin it covers after about an hour.
Kinesiology tape can stay in place for several days. To remove it with minimal skin irritation, employees can soak it in soap and water, apply oil on the area, hold the skin, and pull the tape off slowly and gently.
Kinesiotaping shows employees you're committed to keeping them strong, safe, and supported. It's a low-cost, high-value tool that helps industrial athletes perform at their best while preventing long-term injuries.
Whether you want to reduce injury rates, boost morale, or improve productivity, consider adding kinesiotaping to your Workplace Early Intervention and Ergonomics programs.
👷♀️ Want to Learn More?
📩 Contact us today to discuss implementing kinesiotaping, workplace early intervention, or an ergonomics program at your worksite!
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