What is Kinesio taping and how does it work?

Dr. Kenzo Kase is the founder of the kinesio taping method and received his doctor in chiropractic from the National College of Chiropractic and has his own practise in the US for several years. The kinesio tape has an elasticity of 130-140% of its original length, approx. the same as a human muscle. The tape is made from a cloth material with acrylic glue. The taping method promotes natural healing of the body. Kinesio taping can reduce pain when a muscle is inflamed. When a muscle is inflamed the space between the skin and the muscle is compressed therefore constricting lymphatic flow from collecting network in the dermis. This compression stimulates pain receptors therefore causing the pain sensation. When kinesio tape is applied to the area, the skin is stretched before and during application, the tape and the skin will form a series of wrinkles when the body is placed in the neutral position. The wrinkle effect causes a lifting of the skin increasing the space (approx. 10 microns) between the skin and subcutaneous tissues therefore lymphatic flow/drainage is increased and will lead to a reduction in the pain stimulus.

How long does taping last?

This type of taping method can last up to 4 days before the tape need to be replaced. Also the tape is water resistant so bathing and showering is still possible.

What are the effects of kinesio taping?

There are four main effects of kinesio taping these are: 1. Restoration and normalisation of muscle function of damaged or overused muscles. The tape provides support to the muscle and assisting in the conditioning of muscle weakness while allowing full range of motion. 2. Improve lymphatic and blood flow, by redirecting lymphatic flow back to the lymphatic nodes. 3. Reduce pain 4. Correct joint malalignment and improve proprioception by activating proprioceptive impulses to aid in restoring normal function/forces in the joint.

What is involved in a kinesio taping session?

The session involves an examination of the condition; this could require an initial sports therapy session first as kinesio taping may not be beneficial for your condition. Once the examination is done the therapist will determine a suitable taping technique and will apply the tape be warned there a many ways of taping the same condition therefore this could take a couple of sessions to determine the most suitable taping method for you as everyone is different. If you have an acute injury such as an ankle sprain which is under 48 hours old then a full assessment may not be necessary as your session will probably consist of lymphatic correction and compression bandaging to help reduce and redirect swelling to the lymphatic node therefore can promote a reduction in healing time.

What is the tape is used for (taping methods)?

The tape is used in a number of ways it can be used for mechanical correction, fascia correction, space correction, ligament/tendon correction, functional correction and lymphatic correction.