Where did kinesio taping come from?
The method was developed in Japan. In the 1970s, Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor, worked with elderly people suffering from osteoarthritis. He was looking for a method to maintain the alignment of his patient’s muscles and joints in a stable, comfortable, and pain-free position, allowing them to function normally in their daily lives. Conventional approaches proved to be ineffective, and the athletic tapes available at the time were too rigid to allow easy movement. Consequently, Kenzo Kase, in collaboration with product engineers, designed specialized elastic tapes to provide therapeutic benefits without constraining patients’ mobility.
What does kinesio taping involve?
In the simplest things, kinesio taping (also known as kinesiology taping or dynamic taping) involves applying special elastic strips (tapes) to various parts of a patient’s body. Their role is to maintain the muscles and joints in a predetermined position, while activating the mechanical receptors in the skin, similarly to what chiropractors or physiotherapists do. The response of the nervous system triggers compensatory processes through which the body copes with various physiological discomforts in the short term.
Kinesio tapes – key aspects and best practices
Kinesio taping is a method using dynamic adhesive strips (tapes) made of high-quality cotton with lycra. The back of the tape is coated with a medical adhesive arranged in a wavy pattern. The adhesive is activated by body heat. Kinesio tapes are breathable, waterproof, and elastic – their physical properties are similar to human skin. They come in various widths: usually from 2.5 to 10 cm. They can be purchased in rolls or pre-cut shapes for specific applications. They’re also available in a variety of colors and designs. You can buy them in good medical supplies stores.
A distinction should be made between dynamic tapes and rigid medical tapes used for firm stabilization after fresh injuries and trauma. They are only minimally elastic and stretchable because their intended purpose is the management of acute pain and significant impairment of mobility in the affected body part.
Do kinesiology tapes contain any medications or substances?
Absolutely not. The method is natural and non-invasive, and doesn’t use any chemical agents. Consequently, it’s very well tolerated by the majority of patients, and there’re few contraindications to its use.
What does kinesio taping treat or do?
Kinesio taping was originally used in medicine and sports rehabilitation. In addition to accelerating the recovery of injured athletes, it allowed them to engage in training under nearly normal conditions. At present, elastic therapeutic tapes have a wide range of applications. The most popular of them are:
- pain prevention and management – kinesio taping alleviates muscle and joint pain resulting from injuries and chronic conditions; in addition, it reduces discomfort associated with delayed onset muscle soreness, or ‘muscle fever’;
- edema management – kinesio taping allows the free flow of blood and lymph, thus reducing swelling;
- correction of postural defects – tapes assist in correcting abnormal or asymmetrical alignment of joint structures (which, for example, helps to prevent slouching);
- rehabilitation – kinesio taping is used to enhance mobility in individuals with neurological conditions or degenerative diseases, during pregnancy, after childbirth, and in many other rehabilitation settings;
- scar therapy – kinesio tapes stimulate natural scar healing by activating the lymphatic system, enhancing microcirculation, and improving the function of surrounding muscles and joints.
What does kinesio taping treatment involve?
Kinesio taping therapy is administered by a physiotherapist following diagnosis made on the basis of physical examination and patient history. Tapes are applied in a specific pattern on the skin. The area to be treated must be clean, free of hair, and slightly warmed. The shape and tension of the tapes are personalized for each patient based on their specific needs. Depending on the symptoms and area of application, tapes can be arranged in a straight line, in X or Y shapes, or more intricate patterns, for example resembling a fine net. Elastic tapes can be worn for 5 to 7 days. After this time, you can either remove them on your own or schedule a follow-up appointment with your physiotherapist.
Is it possible to do the ‘taping’ by yourself?
Experts agree that kinesiology taping requires an in-depth understanding of anatomy, ability to diagnose body conditions accurately, and proficiency in the technique of administering this therapy. Consequently, if you attempt kinesio taping by yourself, it may not only be ineffective but even exacerbate the conditions you’re trying to treat. Kinesio taping therapy should always be based on a professional diagnosis by a physiotherapist. It’s also advisable to have a specialist apply the tapes. Self-taping is only possible in the treatment of minor injuries which are easily accessible and require basic and well-known taping patterns.
When is kinesio taping contraindicated?
There’re few contraindications for kinesio taping; however, they do exist and should be taken into account. The most important of these are:
- skin complaints at treatment sites – including all types of skin irritation, trauma, unhealed and difficult-to-heal wounds, but also chronic conditions such as psoriasis;
- allergies – kinesiology tapes are hypoallergenic, but some people may develop allergic reactions to the adhesives used in them;
- venous thrombosis – an increase in blood flow may cause a blood clot to break off, posing a health risk;
- malignant tumors – increased blood flow can promote tumor growth, so in such cases it’s crucial to consult with a specialist!
If you have any doubts about the effects of kinesio taping on your health, seek advice from a medical specialist. Remember to mention all your health issues during your consultation with a physiotherapist.
Read also: „Diet After Injury – 5 Tips on How to Eat to Get Back in Shape Quickly”.
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References:
1. kinesiotape.com
https://kinesiotape.com/dr-kenzo-kase/
https://kinesiotape.com/why-kinesio-what-you-need-to-know/
https://kinesiotaping.com/about/what-is-the-kinesio-taping-method/
2. H. Mojsiejczuk, M. Ptak, A. Szylińska i inni, Kinesiotaping jako interdyscyplinarna metoda terapeutyczna [w] Pomeranian Journal of Life Sciences 2016 -
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314267390_Kinesiotaping_jako_interdyscyplinarna_metoda_terapeutyczna.
3. J. Karwacińska, W. Kiebzak, B. Stefanek-Finda i inni, Effectiveness of Kinesio Taping on hypertrophic scars, keloids and scar contractures [w] Polish Annals of Medicine 2012 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1230801312000112?via%3Dihub.
4. M. Mostafavifar, J. Wertz, J. Borchers, A systematic review of the effectiveness of kinesio taping for musculoskeletal injury [w] The Physician and Sportsmedicine 2012 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23306413/.
5. https://www.performancehealthacademy.com/kinesiology-taping-in-clinical-populations-does-it-work.html.
6. Daniszewska-Jarząb I., Jarząb S., Practical application of kinesiotaping in the case of a cesarean section scar. Aesth Cosmetol Med. 2020;9(6):485-488.