{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,21]],"date-time":"2026-10-21T13:36:32Z","timestamp":1792589792733,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":57,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,22]],"date-time":"2023-02-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1677024000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is thought to stem from masticatory muscle hypersensitivity. Masticatory myofascial pain syndrome (MMPS) is characterized by multiple trigger points (MTrPs), also known as hyperirritable points, in taut bands of affected muscles, regional muscle pain, or referred pain to nearby maxillofacial areas like teeth, masticatory muscles or the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Muscle stiffness, reduced range of motion, muscle weakening without atrophy, and autonomic symptoms may accompany regional discomfort. Multiple treatments have been utilized to reduce trigger points and mandibular function restrictions. As a result of these incapacitating symptoms, MMPS can significantly impair many elements of quality of life. The application of Kinesio tape (KT) is a non-invasive method of treating dormant myofascial trigger points. Utilizing the body\u2019s innate capacity for self-repair, this technique entails taping specific regions of the skin. KT alleviates discomfort, decreases swelling and inflammation, enhances or suppresses motor function in the muscles, stimulates proprioception, promotes lymphatic drainage, stimulates blood flow, and expedites tissue recovery. However, studies conducted to assess its effects have frequently yielded contradictory results. To the best of our knowledge, just a few research has looked into the therapeutic effects of KT on MMPS. The purpose of this review is to determine the efficacy of KT as a therapeutic tool for regular treatment or as an adjunct to existing therapy for MMPS based on the evidence presented in this review. To establish KT as a reliable independent treatment option, additional research is necessary to confirm the efficacy of KT techniques and applications, specifically randomized clinical trials.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph20053872","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,22]],"date-time":"2023-02-22T02:57:38Z","timestamp":1677034658000},"page":"3872","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":16,"title":["Kinesio Taping as a Therapeutic Tool for Masticatory Myofascial Pain Syndrome\u2014An Insight View"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"20","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9072-7734","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ahmed Shaher","family":"Alqahtani","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0800-4511","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sameena","family":"Parveen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.1016\/j.berh.2011.01.002","article-title":"Myofascial pain syndromes and their evaluation","volume":"25","author":"Giamberardino","year":"2011","journal-title":"Best Pract. Res. Clin. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Montes-Carmona, J.-F., Gonzalez-Perez, L.-M., and Infante-Cossio, P. (2020). Treatment of Localized and Referred Masticatory Myofascial Pain with Botulinum Toxin Injection. Toxins, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/toxins13010006"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.11607\/jop.1151","article-title":"Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC\/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: Recommendations of the International RDC\/TMD Consortium Network* and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group","volume":"28","author":"Schiffman","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Oral Facial Pain Headache"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"837","DOI":"10.1111\/jopr.12912","article-title":"Prevention and Management of Cheek and\/or Tongue Biting Related to Posterior Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses (ISFDPs)","volume":"28","author":"Afrashtehfar","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Prosthodont."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"167","DOI":"10.12968\/denu.2004.31.3.167","article-title":"Rheumatoid Arthritis of TMJ\u2014A Diagnostic Dilemma?","volume":"31","author":"Bathi","year":"2004","journal-title":"Dent. Update"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.3109\/15360288.2014.997853","article-title":"Myofascial pain syndrome: An overview","volume":"29","author":"Saxena","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Pain Palliat. Care Pharmacother."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"341","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmr.2014.01.011","article-title":"Diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome","volume":"25","author":"Gerwin","year":"2014","journal-title":"Phys. Med. Rehabilitation Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joen.2022.11.013","article-title":"Assessment of Concordance between Chairside Ultrasonography and Digital Palpation in Detecting Myofascial Trigger Points in Masticatory Myofascial Pain Syndrome","volume":"49","author":"Elbarbary","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Endod."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ferrillo, M., Giudice, A., Marotta, N., Fortunato, F., Di Venere, D., Ammendolia, A., Fiore, P., and de Sire, A. (2022). Pain Management and Rehabilitation for Central Sensitization in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 23.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms232012164"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"198","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2021.09.023","article-title":"The correlation between scapulocostal syndrome and masticatory myofascial pain on selected pain and functional parameters- an observational study","volume":"29","author":"Kanhachon","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"181","DOI":"10.1007\/s41547-020-00103-w","article-title":"Efficacy of different treatment methods in patients with myofascial pain syndrome","volume":"4","author":"Kurt","year":"2020","journal-title":"Lasers Dent. Sci."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.ebd.6401207","article-title":"Muscular activity may improve in edentulous patients after implant treatment","volume":"17","author":"Afrashtehfar","year":"2016","journal-title":"Evid. Based Dent."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"841","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anclin.2007.07.003","article-title":"Myofascial trigger points","volume":"25","author":"Lavelle","year":"2007","journal-title":"Anesthesiol. Clin."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joen.2021.10.004","article-title":"Masticatory Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Implications for Endodontists","volume":"48","author":"Elbarbary","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Endod."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"683","DOI":"10.1016\/j.adaj.2021.07.020","article-title":"Efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in the management of masticatory myofascial pain: A retrospective clinical study","volume":"153","author":"Chivato","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Am. Dent. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"357","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmr.2014.01.012","article-title":"Myofascial pain syndrome treatments","volume":"25","author":"Iaccarino","year":"2014","journal-title":"Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"14","article-title":"Five Things to Know About Sleep Bruxism","volume":"87","author":"Afrashtehfar","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. N. J. Dent. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2019.05.022","article-title":"Investigation of different application techniques for Kinesio Taping\u00ae with an accompanying exercise protocol for improvement of pain and functionality in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A pilot study","volume":"24","author":"Arrebola","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"433","DOI":"10.1080\/09593985.2017.1422205","article-title":"Pain-diminishing effects of Kinesio\u00ae taping after median sternotomy","volume":"34","author":"Brockmann","year":"2018","journal-title":"Physiother. Theory Pract."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1534735419847276","DOI":"10.1177\/1534735419847276","article-title":"Comparative Study Between the Effects of Kinesio Taping and Pressure Garment on Secondary Upper Extremity Lymphedema and Quality of Life Following Mastectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"18","author":"Tantawy","year":"2019","journal-title":"Integr. Cancer Ther."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1759720X19869135","DOI":"10.1177\/1759720X19869135","article-title":"The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping\u00ae for pain management in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial","volume":"11","author":"Donec","year":"2019","journal-title":"Ther. Adv. Musculoskelet. Dis."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"389","DOI":"10.2519\/jospt.2008.2791","article-title":"The clinical efficacy of kinesio tape for shoulder pain: A randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial","volume":"38","author":"Thelen","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Orthop. Sports Phys. Ther."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"192","DOI":"10.1097\/PHM.0000000000000148","article-title":"Kinesio taping improves pain, range of motion, and proprioception in older patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"94","author":"Cho","year":"2015","journal-title":"Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1321","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.26.1321","article-title":"Change the Myofascial Pain and Range of Motion of the Temporomandibular Joint Following Kinesio Taping of Latent Myofascial Trigger Points in the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle","volume":"26","author":"Bae","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Phys. Ther. Sci."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cheshmi, B., Keyhan, S.O., Rayegani, S.M., Kim, S.-G., Ozunlu Pekyavas, N., and Ramezanzade, S. (2021). A literature review of applications of Kinesio Taping\u00ae in the craniomaxillofacial region. CRANIO\u00ae, 1\u20138.","DOI":"10.1080\/08869634.2021.2009994"},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"31177","article-title":"A comparative analysis of efficacy of Kinesio taping versus conventional therapy in Bell\u2019s palsy by using House-Brackmann grading system","volume":"10","author":"Sharma","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Recent Sci. Res."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"e48","article-title":"Managing a patient with sleep bruxism","volume":"80","author":"Afrashtehfar","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Can. Dent. Assoc."},{"key":"ref_28","first-page":"5464985","article-title":"Assessment of the Short-Term Effectiveness of Kinesiotaping and Trigger Points Release Used in Functional Disorders of the Masticatory Muscles","volume":"2018","author":"Kopacz","year":"2018","journal-title":"Pain Res. Manag."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"950519","DOI":"10.1155\/2015\/950519","article-title":"The Kinesio Taping Method for Myofascial Pain Control","volume":"2015","author":"Wu","year":"2015","journal-title":"Evid. Based Complement Altern. Med."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jaro\u0144, A., Jedli\u0144ski, M., Grzywacz, E., Mazur, M., and Trybek, G. (2020). Kinesiology Taping as an Innovative Measure against Post-Operative Complications after Third Molar Extraction-Systematic Review. J. Clin. Med., 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9123988"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yun, H., Lee, J.-H., and Choi, I.-R. (2020). Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Shoulder Posture and Peak Torque in Junior Baseball Players with Rounded Shoulder Posture: A Pilot Study. Life, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/life10080139"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pihut, M., and Kulesa-Mrowiecka, M. (2022). The Emergencies in the Group of Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders. J. Clin. Med., 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm12010298"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"181","DOI":"10.1007\/s40122-021-00235-2","article-title":"Management of Musculoskeletal Pain: An Update with Emphasis on Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain","volume":"10","author":"Nalamasu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Pain Ther."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mao, H.-Y., Hu, M.-T., Yen, Y.-Y., Lan, S.-J., and Lee, S.-D. (2021). Kinesio Taping Relieves Pain and Improves Isokinetic Not Isometric Muscle Strength in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis\u2014A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph181910440"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.4103\/jofs.jofs_172_20","article-title":"Versatility of Kinesio-Taping in Postoperative Swelling, Pain, and Trismus After Surgical Removal of Impacted Lower Third Molars","volume":"12","author":"Tusharbhai","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Orofac. Sci."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Banerjee, G., Briggs, M., and Johnson, M.I. (2020). The immediate effects of kinesiology taping on cutaneous blood flow in healthy humans under resting conditions: A randomised controlled repeated-measures laboratory study. PLoS ONE, 15.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0229386"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.5606\/tftrd.2021.4258","article-title":"Effectiveness of training about kinesiotaping in myofascial pain syndrome: A prospective, single-blind, randomized-controlled study","volume":"67","author":"Dilek","year":"2021","journal-title":"Turk. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jht.2015.10.003","article-title":"Kinesio taping and manual pressure release: Short-term effects in subjects with myofasical trigger point","volume":"29","author":"Chao","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Hand Ther."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Erpala, F., Ozturk, T., Zengin, E.C., and Bakir, U. (2021). Early Results of Kinesio Taping and Steroid Injections in Elbow Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized, Controlled Study. Medicina, 57.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina57040306"},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"52","DOI":"10.1186\/s12998-020-00337-2","article-title":"Taping for conditions of the musculoskeletal system: An evidence map review","volume":"28","author":"Cupler","year":"2020","journal-title":"Chiropr. Man. Ther."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"567","DOI":"10.1589\/jpts.27.567","article-title":"The effect of Kinesio Taping on handgrip strength","volume":"27","author":"Lemos","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Phys. Ther. Sci."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"596159","DOI":"10.3389\/fphys.2020.596159","article-title":"Effect of Different Kinesio Taping Interventions on the Local Thresholds of Current Perception and Pressure Pain in Healthy Adults","volume":"11","author":"Liu","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front. Physiol."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1387","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2013.03.020","article-title":"Does elastic therapeutic tape reduce postoperative swelling, pain, and trismus after open reduction and internal fixation of mandibular fractures?","volume":"71","author":"Ristow","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"94","DOI":"10.1590\/1809-2950\/553210114","article-title":"Kinesio taping: Application and results on pain: Systematic review","volume":"21","author":"Artioli","year":"2014","journal-title":"Fisioter. Pesqui."},{"key":"ref_45","first-page":"237","article-title":"Kinesio Taping applied to lumbar muscles influences clinical and electromyographic characteristics in chronic low back pain patients","volume":"47","author":"Paoloni","year":"2011","journal-title":"Eur. J. Phys. Rehabil. Med."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e140","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physio.2016.10.160","article-title":"Effect of kinesio tape in myofascial pain syndrome \u2018Randomized Control Trial\u2019","volume":"102","author":"Abdelfattah","year":"2016","journal-title":"Physiotherapy"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbmt.2013.09.011","article-title":"The effect of kinesio tape application on hamstring and gastrocnemius muscles in healthy young adults","volume":"18","author":"Lumbroso","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Selva, F., Pardo, A., Aguado, X., Montava, I., Gil-Santos, L., and Barrios, C. (2019). A study of reproducibility of kinesiology tape applications: Review, reliability and validity. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord., 20, Available online: https:\/\/bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12891-019-2533-0.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12891-019-2533-0"},{"key":"ref_49","first-page":"335","article-title":"The effects of additional kinesio taping over exercise in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome","volume":"45","author":"Atay","year":"2011","journal-title":"Acta Orthop. Traumatol. Turc."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1007\/s10067-010-1475-6","article-title":"Kinesio taping compared to physical therapy modalities for the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome","volume":"30","author":"Kaya","year":"2011","journal-title":"Clin. Rheumatol."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2631","DOI":"10.1590\/2317-6431-2022-2631","article-title":"O uso da bandagem el\u00e1stica adesiva para al\u00edvio da dor no tratamento das disfun\u00e7\u00f5es temporomandibulares: Revis\u00e3o sistem\u00e1tica com metan\u00e1lise","volume":"27","author":"Silva","year":"2022","journal-title":"Audiol. Commun. Res."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"373","DOI":"10.3233\/BMR-160683","article-title":"Kinesio Taping for temporomandibular disorders: Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial of effectiveness","volume":"29","author":"Salimov","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Back Musculoskelet. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3233\/BMR-181329","article-title":"Comparison of kinesio taping and occlusal splint in the management of myofascial pain in patients with sleep bruxism","volume":"32","author":"Keskinruzgar","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Back Musculoskelet. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2048","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2012.05.018","article-title":"Treatment effectiveness of arthrocentesis plus hyaluronic acid injections in different age groups of patients with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis","volume":"70","author":"Olivo","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"351","DOI":"10.5606\/tftrd.2020.3917","article-title":"A comparison of dry needling and kinesiotaping therapies in myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized clinical study","volume":"66","author":"Erdal","year":"2020","journal-title":"Turk. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e14561","DOI":"10.1111\/ijcp.14561","article-title":"Comparison of dry needling and kinesio taping methods in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A single blinded randomised controlled study","volume":"75","author":"Yasar","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Clin. Pract."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2541","DOI":"10.1002\/brb3.2541","article-title":"KinesioTaping after botulinum toxin type A for cervical dystonia in adult patients","volume":"12","author":"Kubala","year":"2022","journal-title":"Brain Behav."}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/20\/5\/3872\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T18:38:51Z","timestamp":1760121531000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/20\/5\/3872"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,22]]},"references-count":57,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,3]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph20053872"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph20053872","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,2,22]]}}}