Kinesiology taping, sometimes called “KT” or “taping”, has emerged as a popular technique in sports medicine and rehabilitation, gaining recognition for its ability to support injury recovery and decrease pain. While the concept of elastic taping is not new, its application has evolved significantly. Let’s dive into what therapeutic elastic taping is, how it works, and its benefits.
SCICO CARE contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
What is Kinesiology taping?
Kinesiology taping uses a flexible, stretchy tape designed to mimic the elasticity of skin. The tape is applied to the skin in various patterns and tensions, depending on the condition being treated. Unlike traditional athletic tape, which is often intentionally rigid and restrictive, kinesiology tape allows for a full range of motion, thereby supporting and stabilizing muscles and joints without restricting movement.
How Does It Work?
The primary theories behind the effectiveness of kinesiology taping involve its impact on the skin and underlying tissues. When applied correctly, the tape can lift the skin slightly, creating more space between the skin and the underlying tissues. This lifting effect is thought to improve lymphatic drainage, reduce pressure on pain receptors, and facilitate the body’s natural healing processes.
Additionally, kinesiology taping has been observed to provide proprioceptive feedback, which can help the body to correct movement patterns and improve posture. Applying portions of the tape with increased tension in specific patterns can gently influence the way a person stands or moves. This feedback may help athletes and individuals with musculoskeletal injuries to perform better and recover more effectively.
Benefits of Kinesiology taping
Pain Relief: One of the most commonly reported benefits of kinesiology taping is pain relief. The lifting effect of the tape can help to alleviate pressure on pain receptors and reduce discomfort associated with various injuries and conditions.
Improved Function: Kinesiology taping can enhance functional performance by supporting weak or injured muscles and joints. This support helps in maintaining proper alignment and reducing strain during physical activities.
Enhanced Circulation: The tape’s effect on skin and underlying tissues is thought to improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage. This can contribute to reduced swelling and quicker recovery times.
Injury Prevention: By stabilizing muscles and joints, kinesiology taping may help to prevent injuries during physical activities. It can also support rehabilitation by ensuring that muscles are properly engaged and protected.
Evidence and Efficacy
The scientific evidence supporting kinesiology taping is mixed. Some studies suggest that kinesiology taping can be beneficial for specific conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, joint instability, and post-surgical recovery. For instance, research published in the Orthopaedic Journal at Harvard Medical School (Bhashyam, et al ) found that kinesiology taping could reduce pain and improve function in individuals with shoulder impingement when used in conjunction with physical therapy. Another study in the Journal of Sports Rehabilitation (Kirmizigil, et al ) indicated that it might aid in decreasing muscle soreness and improve post-exercise performance.
However, other studies question the clinical significance of these benefits. A review in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Ye, et al ) concluded that while kinesiology taping might have some short-term benefits, its effectiveness compared to other treatment methods is still uncertain.
Application Techniques
Proper application of kinesiology tape is crucial for its effectiveness. The tape can be applied in various ways depending on the desired outcome. For instance, a "fan" technique might be used to address swelling, while a "strip" technique can target muscle support. It is advisable to seek guidance from a trained healthcare professional to ensure correct application and maximize benefits.
Kinesiology taping is a versatile tool in the field of rehabilitation and sports medicine, offering potential benefits for pain relief, functional improvement, and injury prevention. While the evidence supporting its efficacy is still evolving, many individuals report positive outcomes. Additionally, kinesiology tape is an inexpensive and low-risk modality. Exploring therapeutic elastic taping could be a valuable step in your injury recovery journey and may provide the support and relief you’re looking for in your journey towards becoming a more robust, durable athlete.
Interested? All three of our clinicians are certified by Rocktape! Talk to your provider during your next appointment to see how kinesiology tape could supplement your recovery, or reach out to schedule a taping appointment.
For more Pain Relief Tapeinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
How Tape Heals: The Secret Behind Kinesiology Tape
Tune in to a sports station and you’re bound to see an athlete with multi-colored tape applied on some body part, anywhere from the neck down to the feet. This tape — called kinesiology tape, or k-tape for short — is now commonly available, and its use is becoming more widespread.
But just what is it, and how does it work? Kyra Dorney, MA, LAT, ATC, a Premier Health athletic trainer, provides answers.
What Is Kinesiology Tape?
Kinesiology refers to the study of movement. Kinesio tape, as it’s often called, got its name because it is used to aid muscle movement. It’s a thin, flexible tape that is meant to relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, and provide support to joints and muscles.
K-tape was originally developed as a way to enhance athletic performance. But Dorney says you don’t have to be an elite athlete to enjoy its benefits.
“I use it in the high school setting to aid in the healing process, after an athlete has an acute injury, or to relieve pain from a chronic injury,” Dorney explains. “Acute and chronic injuries can cause swelling and inflammation of the muscles and tissues of the affected area, and the use of k-tape can help alleviate pain in both types of injuries.”
K-tape was originally developed as a way to enhance athletic performance. But Dorney says you don’t have to be an elite athlete to enjoy its benefits.
How Does It Work?
According to Dorney, k-tape recruits blood vessels in a way that helps place blood flow where the tape is applied. The result is increased oxygen and decreased inflammation and swelling.
The tape can also be used to help the body’s lymphatic system drain waste products like lactic acid, which an athlete’s hard-working muscles produce. This helps muscles perform better for longer periods. In addition, k-tape slightly lifts skin, to provide extra space for swollen muscles.
How Does It Differ From Other Athletic Tape?
Kinesio tape is not a replacement for the traditional white athletic tape that has long been used for splinting. Athletic tape is still appropriate when stability is crucial. Because it is less flexible than k-tape, athletic tape offers the support that is needed to treat certain injuries. While athletic tape often limits motion, k-tape is used to allow motion, as well as to reduce pain.
Dorney points out that sometimes using both types of tape aids in healing an injury altogether. “K-tape may be applied first in certain acute injuries that have swelling and bruising from trauma. The k-tape will help decrease inflammation by bring blood flow to the area and get rid of some of the swelling by aiding the lymphatic system. Athletic tape could then be used to help stabilize the injury while the athlete is rehabbing back to sporting activities.”
Different brands offer different features, including elasticity, size, colors, and wear time.
Should I Try K-Tape On My Sore Muscles?
Dorney recommends people consider the following before buying their own k-tape:
- Get a diagnosis. K-tape is readily available, but don’t be too quick to go grab a roll. Chances are you are dealing with an injury or pain that may first need a diagnosis. Find out from a doctor why you have the pain in the first place. Using k-tape without a diagnosis may just mask a bigger problem allowing you to continue in an activity that your body may need rest from.
- Remember its purpose. K-tape was created to aid healing, not to create stability. Use athletic tape if you need a more secure ankle. Consider k-tape if you need to alleviate pain from an arthritic knee.
- Create a limit. Don’t continue to tape or engage in activity for more than a couple of days. Pain that persists should be evaluated immediately.
Is There Proof That K-Tape Works?
Dorney has seen her athletes recover from acute injuries more quickly since using kinesio tape. “When we’re able to aid the initial healing process of an acute injury, and also provide pain relief and corrections for chronic injuries, the athletes tend to return to their sport faster and with minimal discomfort.”
Are you interested in learning more about CGM Patches? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Comments
Please Join Us to post.
0