Kinesiology Taping
In the past decade Kinesiology Taping has become more prevalent. The original elastic adhesive tape, now known as Kinesio Tape (KT), was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1979. The tape itself is hypoallergenic, latex-free, and can be worn for days at a time. Kinesio Taping became more popular during the 2008 Summer Olympics. It was donated to over 58 countries and was worn by very well-known athletes.
The function of Kinesio Taping is to microscopically lift the skin to allow for the drainage of lymph system and alleviate discomfort. The spacing that Kinesio Taping allows for a decrease in inflammation and reduction of pressure while enabling a more efficient flow of blood and lymphatic fluid in and out of the target areas.
As it was popularized by sports, Kinesio Taping is used to prevent and treat of sports injuries to provide support and protection to the joint or muscle during movement. There have been several clinical studies and scholarly articles written about KT and have resulted in a significant improvement in the pain level after KT application.
The Benefits of Kinesio Taping include but are not limited to:
- Pain Relief
- Quicker Recovery
- Assists Weak or Injured Muscles
- Swelling Reduction
- Lymphoedema Reduction
- Reduced Muscle Fatigue and Cramping
Kinesio Tape can be applied in various areas on the body to provide the aforementioned benefits. Common areas to apply the KT include shoulders, back, and knees. These are common areas of injury during sporting or high intensity exercise. Although these are the common areas, KT can be applied in various other areas because of it’s flexibility. Less common areas to apply KT would be ankles, feet, and wrists. Although it’s uncommon to apply to these areas there may be instances where it will help recovery.
Whether you’re into Sports, Dance, or Running Marathons, stop by the clinic and we will help you apply the Kinesio Tape!
