10 Mar KinesioTaping: How it works to support movement and relieve pain
Developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractic physician, kinesio tape is an elastic stretch tape that can be applied to relieve pain, support muscles for prooper movement, and improve circulation and lymphatic flow to reduce swelling. Likely one of the most famous endorsements came from Lance Armstrong in his book Every Second Counts. “Something better than any laser, wrap or electric massager….The Tape! It is a special athletic tape that came from Japan and seemed to have special powers. [….] taped us all up, different parts of our bodies…George’s back, Chechu’s knees. Sometimes we’d be so wrapped up… that we’d look like a bunch of broken dolls. But the next day the pain disappeared–it was gone.” “It’s easy to learn, takes a few minutes to do, uses only a few strips and consistently produces superior clinical outcomes” -Jeffrey Spencer, DC, MA, CCSP, CKTP (Team Chiropractor for the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team) A note of caution: With all the popularity of KinesioTape, there are alot of knock offs. And Kinesiotape must be applied properly to be effective. There are certain ways of applying the tape that shut an overactive muscle off, and other ways that can turn a weaker muscle on so that it works correctly. Therapists and physicians who apply Kinesiotape should be trained by a certified KinesioTape Instructor. How does it work? When applied correctly, Kinesio tape:
- lifts the skin which creates a seperation between skin and muscle which allows for better circulation and blood flow.
- Mechanical Correction: improved joint stability and motion by supporting the surrounding muscles that move and support the joint. Applications can turn a muscle “on” or “off” depending on the application.
- Fascial: used to create and support proper movement of the fascia, the connective covering that lines all our bodies soft tissues. It is the fascia that gives our body it’s structural framework.
- Space Corrections: applications to reduce compression or pressure over structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves.
- Tendons/ Ligament Correction: support and decrease stress on these tissues.
- Functional Corrections: enhance sensory stimulation and proprioception to either assist or prevent motion.
- Circulatory/ Lymphatic Correction: improves circulation and moves lymphatic fluid to reduce edema or swelling.
The tape is extremely comfotable and usually feels like an extra set of hands on the tissues supporting movement. The tape applications can be worn for usually 3 and up to as much as 6 days and it can get wet. Read What Patients, Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists, and Medical Professionals are saying about KinesioTape