Kinesiology taping is a rehabilitative treatment option. It promotes an inbuilt body healing process while also providing support and stability to muscles and joints. Kinesiology tape is thin and lightweight, therefore, lifting your skin and leading to a decrease in pressure applied to soft tissue beneath.
People with musculoskeletal and sports injuries turn to this painless and quick complementary therapy.
If you are a fan of the Olympic games, you may have seen athletes wearing the tapes on their skin when they are injured and need support. Originally, it was developed to improve the performance of athletes. However, in the present days, you don’t have to be in sports to enjoy its benefits.
Can Kinesiology Tape Relieve pain?
Yes. The Kinesiology Sports Tape does relieve pain for patients of all ages. The kinesiology tape is more friendly to soft tissues caused by strains, sprains, accidents, and sleeping incorrectly soreness.
The Kinesiology tape can therefore relieve pain from people with shin splints, knee pain, heel spurs, scar tissue, elbow pain, wrist pain, and shoulder pain.
Properties of Kinesiology Tape
- It can stretch 120-140% of its original length. It enables your joints and muscles to move through a safe range of motion.
- It has a heat activated adhesive
- It is latex free
- It recoils back to its original length after its stretched and applied to the skin.
Benefits of Kinesiology Tape
- It is safe for use since it does not cause skin irritation.
- The tape bears a resemblance to the skin and has several pores that allow the skin to breathe normally.
- The tape is water-resistant. Patients can exercise or bathe with the kinesiology tape. Even when sweating profusely, the kinesiology tape is still safe. The kinesiology tape is porous and releases moisture easily.
- It can last between 3 to 5 days. Since it is elastic, you can comfortably wear it for several days.
- It enables joints to move freely without restrictions and offers protection to injured tissues.
Uses of Kinesiology Tape
The kinesiology tape has numerous uses. Depending on your injury, your physical therapist will assess your situation and decide how to use the tape. To get the desired effects of the kinesiology tape, it has to be applied in the right way.
People involved in sports injuries can benefit from the kinesiology tape in the following ways:
Supporting and stabilizing joints
Kinesiology tape can be used when you have a condition that needs a specific joint to be held in place. For example, shoulder instability, muscle tear, and ankle sprain can benefit from support provided by the tape. The tape supports your joint and allows motion until the injury is completely healed.
Facilitation of muscles
Kinesiology tape is essential in improving contraction patterns and muscular firing. If it is properly applied, the tape strengthens the weak muscles by activating muscle fibers. Athletes can also use it to improve their performance.
Pain management
The tape can be used to relieve the pain and muscle spasms you feel after an injury. Kinesiology tape blocks the transmission of pain impulses which decreases the nociceptive input to your brain. In return, this reduces the protective spasms and muscle guarding.
Swelling management
Kinesiology tape increases the circulation of blood by lifting the skin upwards. In case you had swelled from a surgery or injury, the tape reduces the swelling by reducing the pressure between the skin and tissues beneath. Therefore, the excess fluids that have accumulated since the injury will travel through the path created in the process.
Management of scar tissues
A scar can occur over an area you were injured. At times the tissue under your scar holds together your skin and the fascia. A person’s normal mobility and some motions will be limited by this scar tissue. The kinesiology tape can then be used to pull the scar tissue gently. It will provide a long intensity stretch to the tight collagen that makes up your scar tissue.
Biochemical correction
In case of biochemical alterations, you may go through pain, reduced functioning of muscles, or injury. To correct the biochemical abnormalities and prevent injuries, you can use the kinesiology tape.
Relaxation of muscles
If the kinesiology tape application is properly done, you can reduce muscle stiffness and spasms.
Drawbacks of using kinesiology tape
- It can cause blisters or tear on your skin. If you happen to tape the injured area too tight, you will get a blister.
- The tape may not be effective if it is applied in the wrong direction and lacks enough amount of stretch.
- Can cause skin irritation. If the tape is worn for days and gets contaminated by sweat, it leads to irritation of the skin.
When not to use the kinesiology tape
Allergic reactions.
Kinesiology tape adheres to the skin. If you are sensitive to certain adhesives that can trigger an allergic reaction, you should not use the tape. Although the tape is normally worn during athletics, you can also wear it for many days. Placing your skin on adhesives for many days can lead to severe allergic reactions.
Open wounds.
When used on open wounds, the tape could cause bacterial infection or skin damage. Ensure the wound is fully healed before applying the kinesiology tape.
Active cancer.
The kinesiology tape is known to increase blood circulation. However, increasing blood supply and nutrition for cancer patients is not ideal. If you are under cancer treatment, you should avoid using a Kinesiology tape.
Diabetes patients.
If you have uncontrolled diabetes, you may have altered sensations in your arms and legs. With the loss of sensation, you will not know if the kinesiology tape is causing any problems or reactions to your skin.
Fragile skin.
If your skin is fragile, you should look for other alternatives to relieve pain after an injury. Your skin is prone to tear if you use the kinesiology tape.
Infection.
If you have any signs of an infection on your skin, avoid the tape as it may worsen your condition.
Kinesiology Tape Application
There are different ways of applying the kinesiology tape, depending on the reason why it is needed. Only a trained physical therapist knows how to cut the tape into the right configuration and apply it properly.
To understand why and which tissues need to be taped, the physiotherapist should do a thorough evaluation. They then apply the tape in different patterns, forms, and stretches. The tape is not completely wrapped around any body part but directly around the injured area.
Due to its elasticity, the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid are enhanced leading to therapeutic benefits. Athletes can still compete with the kinesiology tape on since it does not restrict movement.
Poor application of the kinesiology tape will not work on your tissues as expected. Also, it can cause undesired side effects if the set rules are not strictly followed.
The skin to be taped should be clean and free of body hair which could prevent proper adhesion of the tape on your skin.
Things to consider before buying Kinesiology Tape
Get a diagnosis.
Although the kinesiology tape is readily available, you should not be quick to purchase it. You may be dealing with pain or injury that requires a diagnosis. Using the tape without a doctor’s opinion may result in you relying on the tape and performing activities that your body needs to rest from, which could lead to bigger problems. Consider finding out from a physiotherapist what is causing the tissue pain first.
Remember its use.
Kinesiology tape is not for creating stability but to aid in healing.
Understand its limits.
You should not put on kinesiology tape and engage in activities for more than 5 days. If you have pain that persists in this period, consider getting an evaluation from a physical therapist.
Does kinesiology tape work?
There is no extensive research to confirm the effectiveness of the kinesiology tape, but many athletes and physical therapy patients have given this method a range of positive reviews.
Most athletes have recovered from acute injuries more quickly when they use kinesiology tape. The quadriceps muscles that are responsible for controlling your kneecap position are improved by kinesiology tape. Also, after applying the tape, there is an increased range of motion in the lower back.
Where to buy kinesiology Tape
Kinesiology tape is a relatively new treatment that is getting popular in many physical therapy clinics. However, in most cases, you will find a limited number of the tape in nearby retail shops. Therefore, you can choose any type of sports tape from online stores to support your joints.
One of the leading stores that are committed to various sports medicine and sports tapes is Hampton Adams. The shop offers the sports tapes in different patterns, and colors depending on why and where you will be taping on your skin. Also, the shop has a discount offer on their sports tapes and medicine which comes in premium quality.
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how the kinesiology tape works and relieves pain. If you are injured during athletics activities or have tissue pains, you should know by now how to use a kinesiology tape. Although the tape is mostly used in the sports world, you can use it in physical therapy exercises, as well.