What is Kinesio Taping®

The Kinesio® Taping Method has taken the Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine world by storm. This amazing taping method was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 25 years ago in Japan. Since then, Kinesio® Taping has become the gold, or should we say "platinum," standard for therapeutic and rehabilitative taping. This proprietary method of taping uses a uniquely designed and patented tape for treatment of muscular disorders and lymphedema reduction, among other things.

The Kinesio® Taping Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to give support while still maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in his/her normal physical activities with functional assistance. The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period. Correctional techniques include mechanical, lymphatic, ligament/tendon, fascia, space and functional.

Kinesio® Tex Tape can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy and electrical stimulation.

Kinesio® Taping affects the activation of the neurological system and the circulatory system. Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body, they also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms. Consequently, more attention was given to the importance of muscle function in order to activate the body's own healing process. Using an elastic tape, such as Kinesio® Tex Tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Kinesio® Taping is an innovative approach to treating nerves, muscles and organs.

Since the introduction of Kinesio® Taping in the United States, medical practitioners such as PTs, ATCs, OTs, DCs, MTs and MDs have recognized and embraced this effective, safe and best of all, easy-to-use modality. The method and tape allow the individual to receive the therapeutic benefits 24 hours a day with both comfort and ease because it can be worn for several days per application. Currently, Kinesio® Taping is used in hospitals, clinics, high schools and by even by professional sports teams.

Kinesio Taping® Method Concepts

Kinesio® Taping alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. The taped portion forms convolutions in the skin, thus increasing interstitial space. The result is that pressure and irritation are taken off the neural and sensory receptors, alleviating pain. Pressure is gradually taken off the lymphatic system, allowing it to channel more freely.

Caution should be exercised to prevent lateral shearing forces particularly on the elderly or individuals who have systemic illness or sensitive and/or traumatized tissue. Increased unidirectional pull on the skin can cause blistering or micro trauma increasing edema and hemorrhage.

In addition, over stimulation of pain and nociceptors of the skin may increase pain or produce itching. Kinesio® Singapore recommends consulting your physician/Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner prior to the use of Kinesio® Tex Tape.

Kinesio Taping® Physiological Effects

Muscles constantly extend and contract within a normal range. However, when muscles over-extend or over contract, such as when lifting an excessive amount of weight, muscles can not recover and become inflamed. When a muscle is inflamed, swollen or stiff due to fatigue, the space between the skin and muscle is compressed, resulting in constriction to the flow of lymphatic fluid. This compression also applies pressure to the pain receptors beneath the skin, which in turn communicates "discomfort signals" to the brain and emdash. This type of pain is known as myalgia, or muscular pain.

Tape can be applied as a single strip “I”, or in the shapes of an "X" or "Y", depending on the shape and size of the targeted muscle(s). The basic principle of therapeutic taping for weakened muscles is to wrap the tape around the affected muscle(s). Start from where the muscle begins [ORIGIN], continue along the muscle and finish where the muscle ends [INSERTION].

This particular application process is typically used for supportive purposes. As the muscle fibers contract, Kinesio® Tex Tape supports the contraction by stimulating the skin and pulling the muscle back towards the point of origin.

To prevent cramping or over-contraction (overuse of muscles), tape should be applied from [INSERTION] to [ORIGIN]. If you are treating yourself without assistance, it is important to remember the basic principle of stretching the skin before application no matter where the pain is located. For example, if the body-side of the forearm is the source of the pain, you should bend your hand back before applying the tape. Similarly, if the source of pain is the outside of the forearm, then the wrist should be bent forward. This principle must be strictly observed. For treatment of muscle pain, Kinesio® Taping is ineffective unless the skin is stretched. This particular application process is typically used for acute conditions such as strain or sprain, muscle spasm and edema from injury or surgical procedures. As the muscle fibers contract, the Kinesio Tex® Tape will relax the muscle in question.