Kinesio Taping
Kinesiology Taping is a simple, inexpensive, and magical method for treating injuries. It may surprise you that it has been around since the 70s (all good things take time). Although I don’t count on it to resolve the underlying causes of pain, it can do a lot to keep you functioning while speeding up the healing process.
Kinesio Tape can heal damaged tissue by encouraging lymphatic drainage and supporting joints and muscles without restricting movement. Keep in mind, it is not a stand-alone treatment. I have found it most effective when combined with other therapies such as strength training, massage therapy, physical therapy, or any form of rehabilitative movement.
THE BENEFITS OF KINESIO TAPE
- Supports weak or injured muscles without limiting ROM (range of motion).
- Relaxes and de-loads overused or strained muscles.
- Enhances proprioception (body spacial awareness) by giving sensory feedback on movements.
- Activates muscles after injury or surgery to improve contraction quality and speed up recovery.
- Stabilizes area.
- Athletes can remain active during sports/activities.
- Assists in the re-education of the neuromuscular system.
- Accelerates blood flow to the injured area to speed up healing.
- Helps to reduce pain.
- Reduces edema (swelling) by removal of lymphatic fluid.
- Can enhance athletic performance and endurance.
- Corrects postural imbalances and improves ROM.
- Inhibits tight, fatigued, or overused muscles and allows them to relax.
- Helps prevent injury.
- Psychological benefits as well as a placebo effect.
Take Action: Ask your Massage Therapist or Physical Therapist about Kinesio Taping. You can even learn to apply it yourself.
My experience with kinesio taping: Yes, I am trained in kinesio taping and clients have reported it has benefited their injuries, but I use it on myself too. I was massaging, lifting, swimming, and hitting thousands of tennis balls (mostly wrong) one week, so my inside elbow was screaming at me to stop (aka medial epicondylitis). It was pretty painful. Anything that used my wrist flexors hurt, including no-intensity activities like washing dishes and my face (not at the same time). I still had tennis lessons I didn’t want to miss, so I applied kinesio tape and could play pain-free with the added benefit of receiving feedback whenever I used my wrist and elbow incorrectly. Overnight, my elbow felt significantly better.
What is the lymphatic system? The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, nodes, and organs responsible for maintaining fluid balance, immune function, and removing waste products and toxins from the body.
How is kinesio tape different from athletic tape? Kinesio Tape seems like an alien technology to me. It has a similar thickness and elasticity as human skin. I reiterate that it still allows the muscles to move the joints, unlike athletic tape, which restricts movement and can lead to muscle atrophy. Kinesio Tape has an alternating adhesive pattern that allows moisture to escape. Some even believe this creates pressure differentials in the tissue under the tape that interacts with pain receptors, blood vessels, and the lymphatic system to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It can be worn while sweating or in the water and even last multiple days. And you thought it was just tape?
Note: It is commonly referred to as KT Tape, but the purist in me cannot handle it being called Kinesio Tape Tape.