Kinesio taping has become much more visible in recent years. You have likely seen athletes, gym-goers, and even pregnant women using the colorful muscle tape in strategic positions. This tape eases the pressure on their joints and alleviates pain. Kinesio tape is a union of old-school pain management strategies and state-of-the-art medical technology. It utilizes aspects of acupressure and strategic physical therapy by placing elastic therapeutic tape around problematic areas. The kinesio tape exudes a pulling force, allowing free range of motion while providing therapeutic pressure to the targeted area.
While using tape to wrap injured areas is not inherently new, the use of Kinesio tape is different. Kinesio tape is specialized to react to body heat, providing added support by staying firm and in place all day.
What Makes Kinesio Tape Unique
While traditional bandages have been used to provide additional injury recovery support, Kinesio tape is the first of its kind. This type of tape can be purchased through your physical therapist or at a local sports goods store. It comes in a roll of tape in a variety of colors. The Kinesiology tape is cut to fit the area in need of reinforcement and lasts all day. Unlike a standard ACE bandage, which typically wears over time and loses effectiveness with later uses, the Kinesio tape is one-time use and designed to last all day—sometimes even longer!
The acrylic adhesive component in kinesiology tape is activated by body heat. This means that as soon as your physical therapist applies the kinesio taping system, it will begin working. Yet, the cotton fibers that also comprise the material wick moisture away. That means sweating and getting the area wet isn’t as much of an issue like with traditional bandages.
Kinesio Taping for Injuries and Chronic Pain
Kinesio tape is most frequently used by athletes—especially those who engage in prolonged activities. Runners, especially, are drawn to Kinesio taping. It is incredibly low-profile and unlikely to get in the way of their running stride. However, Kinesio tape can benefit many people outside of the athletic world, and certainly stretches beyond supporting runners. Those experiencing wrist pain after typing all day or back pain from their job may also benefit from Kinesio tape.
Common conditions our trained physical therapists often treat with kinesiology taping include:
- Back sprains and strains
- Neck aches
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee pain
- Sports injuries
Many pregnant women are also using this method of athletic taping, especially for their back, knees, and even lower abdominal muscles during the third trimester to alleviate some of the additional pressure on the body. Ensure that you talk with a physical therapist for guidance before attempting to use athletic taping for any reason, but especially before taking any action for pain relief when pregnant.
What is the science behind kinesio taping?
The goal of Kinesio taping is to enhance blood circulation at targeted areas, thereby reducing pain and improving recovery time following an injury. Kinesio tape works off the science of kinesiology, which is a fundamental aspect of physical therapy. The taping creates a pulling action that helps to hold problematic joints and muscles in place as you go about your daily business and routine—including engagement in any level of physical activity or exercise.
The tape gently reinforces the skin, pulling it from your muscles, allowing blood and other fluids to circulate more easily. The gentle pressure also cues the body to send additional blood to the taped area. This improved circulation lessens swelling and speeds healing. Some evidence suggests that the tape’s exceptional holding abilities also help to correct misaligned muscles and ligaments.
Why See A Physical Therapist for Kinesio Taping?
For Kinesio taping to work effectively, the tape must be applied in strategic ways. Simply putting a bit of tape on your leg or elbow isn’t going to make much of a difference..However, when the tape is strategically applied to follow your muscle movement, it can improve healing and reduce pain
The best wrapping technique changes depending on the part of the body in need of attention. Physical therapists receive training in the best ways to tape different parts of the body. Determining the exact placement and shaping of the kinesiology tape, along with which direction the “pull” should go, are all part of the skill needed in order to promote healing. For example, certain injuries call for Y- or X-shaped applications, while smaller, more fragile areas heal better with an I-shaped wrapping.
Attempting to apply the tape yourself, without any guidance, could result in further discomfort. It is important to receive guidance and training from a physical therapist when first applying Kinesio tape.
When properly applied — and after the patient has been carefully evaluated — kinesio taping often allows athletes to get back on the field. Other injured patients find their daily activities made easier, with the support of the taping holding tender areas in place, and preventing overuse of problematic joints and muscles.
If any of these complaints sound similar to yours, call our office for an appointment. Our expert team will evaluate you for the best therapies, including kinesiology taping, to target your injuries.
