Kinesiology tape (also referred to as athletic or KT tape) is designed to simulate your skin’s elasticity and is widely used by physical therapists, chiropractors, medical doctors and certified athletic trainers.
Kinesio tape advocates make many and varied claims, yet few scientific studies back them up. Still, this method has quickly become popular among athletes and rehabilitation specialists alike.
1. Pain Relief
Kinesiology taping gently lifts the layer of skin and connected tissue covering a muscle, allowing lymph and other body fluids to circulate more freely around that muscle. Kinesiology tape can also support muscle contraction by strengthening weaker muscle fibers when weaker contraction is required, prevent overcontraction from occuring during weaker muscle contraction sessions, reduce fatigue levels and minimize any feelings of pain or discomfort associated with its application.
Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor and physical therapist, developed the Kinesio Taping Method as a way of improving rehabilitation in various fields, such as pain management, fascial decompression, soft tissue injuries/edema/joint mobility; its use is also widely employed for increasing performance for athletes as well as non-athletes alike.
The elasticity of tape mimics that of your skin’s natural stretch, enabling it to move with your muscles and joints in their full range of motion. Furthermore, it serves as a stimulus for muscle contraction to produce movement, support posture and position, and stabilize joints.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of KT therapy to increase range of motion, pain relief, function and muscle strength while decreasing swelling and edema in injured areas. Furthermore, it can also be used to treat closed scars to improve skin pliability, alleviate discomfort and promote healing.
Kinesio Taping Technique should only be administered by trained physical therapists who have experience using this method, as improper application has been shown to cause various issues, from not providing enough support or lifting the skin too high, which restricts blood flow. At Cary Orthopaedics in Cary, Morrisville and Holly Springs we use Kinesiology Tape in combination with many other PT strategies, techniques and modalities in order to achieve maximum results for every patient.
2. Injury Prevention
Have you seen athletes wearing colourful strips of elastic tape known as Kinesio tape during competition on the track, field, court or pitch? Kinesio tape was specifically created to support natural range of motion while increasing performance during physical activity.
This innovative taping method not only lifts the skin to allow lymph drainage and prevent irritation, but it can also alter how your body moves to increase range of motion and decrease pain. Furthermore, KT Tape helps decrease nerves’ ability to send pain signals directly to the brain, which may reduce muscle guarding or protective spasms.
Kinesio tape can help with shoulder injuries by keeping the joint in its neutral position and supporting weak shoulders without restricting movement.
Researchers conducted a study and discovered that using Kinesio tape combined with physical therapy reduced the number of sports injuries suffered by athletes while decreasing recovery times and improving quality.
Kinesiology tape should be used with caution due to certain contraindications or conditions for which it shouldn’t be utilized. For example, it shouldn’t be utilized if you have active cancer or any serious medical conditions that reduce blood circulation; similarly it shouldn’t be used if you have fragile skin or are allergic to its adhesive backing.
Interested in discovering how Kinesio Taping can benefit you? Call Cary Orthopaedics! Our physical therapists in Cary, Morrisville and Holly Springs, North Carolina are fully versed in Kinesio Taping Method treatments and can recommend specific approaches that may aid your health and wellness goals. Reach out now and schedule your appointment!
3. Muscle Strengthening
Kinesiology tape (KT tape), is an elastic, medical-grade athletic tape designed for use on muscles and joints. With an adhesive approved by medical practitioners and available latex-free and hypoallergenic varieties for those with allergies, its flexible material mimics skin’s thickness while offering support to muscles and joints while moving with them freely while lifting away layers of skin and tissue covering a muscle, freeing blood flow more freely to move through its core; improving muscle function by increasing contraction; improving range of motion support; decreasing overcontracting; decreasing fatigue; and alleviating pain.
Researchers have conducted numerous analyses on the efficacy of KT taping on various injuries and conditions. One such research paper concluded that using KT tape reduced myofascial pain syndrome among athletes with hamstring injuries while simultaneously increasing flexibility of their hamstrings, back, and hips – though its authors noted larger studies should be conducted to verify these results.
One study examined the effects of KT taping on sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) function in two groups. This muscle is located in the neck and vital for mastication, facial expression, and respiration. Both groups took part in tests designed to measure myofascial pain threshold pressure threshold, myofascial range of motion threshold, TMJ range of motion range. Participants in one of the treatment groups experienced significant increases in range of motion more so than the placebo group.
Physical therapists trained in Kinesio Taping Method can teach you to use this treatment for sports injuries on your own. Your PT will perform evaluation and assessment tests that may include manual muscle testing or orthopedic special tests relevant to your injury, then demonstrate how to apply and move with tape on. While this may take practice, its rewards in terms of healthier bodies and stronger bodies make the journey worth your while!
4. Increased Flexibility
KT Tape elevates the skin, which in turn may improve blood circulation and lymph flow by decreasing edema and inflammation. The lifting effect also activates mechanoreceptors which may reduce pain while stimulating proprioceptive input and movement awareness. Furthermore, this lifting effect activates mechanoreceptors which activate mechanoreceptors which help activate proprioceptive input and movement awareness. Furthermore, this tape may assist with closed scars by helping soft tissue in and around it move more freely while stimulating lymphatic drainage while improving pliability of skin.
Many athletes who participate in squash and other sports believe stretching is the key to increasing flexibility, but in actuality this practice may actually do more harm than good for the body. Stretching often does not bring lasting benefits and may even prove harmful in certain instances.
As stretching can sometimes produce a stretch reflex which causes the muscle to tighten as a means to protect itself, only do safe, effective, and pain free stretches.
Kinesio tape can also be used for other treatment goals besides just muscle facilitation and inhibition, including mechanical corrections such as aligning tracking of the patella; lymphatic drainage to decrease swelling and inflammation; tendon correction support the healing process for tendon injuries.
Physical therapists trained in Kinesio Taping Method will evaluate your condition to determine how best to apply the technique. They will select an appropriate type of tape based on your goal, skin condition and use various orthopedic special tests and manual muscle testing procedures in order to create a comprehensive treatment protocol tailored specifically for your condition.
5. Reduced Inflammation
Kinesio tape should be applied correctly to create an area beneath the skin where fluid can move more freely, helping reduce any swelling or inflammation and also assist muscles with free movement.
Kinesio taping, when applied by a physical therapist or sports medicine provider, can provide essential support for an injured muscle as it heals. While this technique may be used on almost any joint or muscle, its most frequent applications include treating back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, ankle sprains, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Kinesiology tape was developed to mirror the skin’s natural elasticity and can be worn for days at a time without discomfort. It features medical-grade adhesive that’s strong enough to withstand workouts, showers, and daily activities – plus no rubber or latex that could irritate sensitive skin!
Before applying tape to your skin, it’s recommended that you allow it to set for at least an hour so as to maximize bonding and ensure maximum effectiveness. Make sure the area is free from oils or waxes which could hinder its adhesion; hair can interfere with this sticky tape’s stickiness, so shaving that area before application might also help.
Kinesio taping can be an invaluable addition to your exercise program, but it should never replace regular stretching and strength training sessions. Misuse may give athletes a false sense of security that leads them to push beyond healthy performance limits. Before trying it yourself, always consult with an experienced physical therapist first who can give step-by-step instructions and demonstrate how best to apply the tape.