Kinesiology tape is a thin, stretchy, elastic cotton strip with an adhesive. It can benefit a wide variety of muscular, sports and inflammatory conditions. The tape is almost identical to human skin in thickness and elasticity, thus allowing movement without any constriction or restriction in movement.
- What is the difference between conventional strapping and kinesiology tape?
“Kinesiology tape differs from other types of strapping tape in both form and function. Most types of strapping tape are non-elastic, and are wrapped tightly around an injured joint or muscle to provide rigid support and restrict movement. They can only be worn for short periods of time, after which they must be removed to restore movement and circulation.
Kinesiology tape, on the other hand, has unique elastic properties that allow it to provide dynamic support, protecting muscles and/or joints, while still allowing a safe and functional range of motion. This non-restrictive type of taping allows most applications to be worn for 4-5 days, allowing therapeutic benefits to accumulate 24/7 for the entire time they’re worn.
Kinesiology tape can be worn during intense exercise, showering, bathing or swimming, and dries quickly.
- What are the benefits of Kinesiology tape?
- Pain relief
Physically, the lifting action of the kinesiology tape relieves pressure on pain receptors directly under the skin, allowing for both immediate and lasting relief. Chronic pain can be improved via the sensory stimulation of other types of nerve fibres.
- Swelling and lymphoedema reduction
By lifting the skin, kinesiology taping provides a negative pressure under the tape, which allows the lymphatic drainage channels to drain swelling and other inflammatory cells away from the injured area quickly.
- Reduced Muscle Fatigue, Cramps and DOMS.
Exercise and repeated muscle contractions produces post-exercise byproducts such as lactic acid. Lactic acid can cause poor muscle performance, fatigue cramping and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Kinesiology tape can help remove lactic acid and other exercise byproducts from the region, which can assist muscle performance, reduce fatigue, cramps and DOMS.
- Assists Weak or Injured Muscles
Kinesiology tape provides both a physical and neurological support for your dynamic structures such as muscles. Kinesiology tapes unique elasticity provides passive support to weak or injured muscles. This can assist everyday activities or high level sports.
- Quicker Return to Sport, Work and Play
By supporting weak or painful structures, kinesiology tape ultimately allows injured athletes, workers and weekend warriors to return to sport, work or play quicker that without kinesiology tape's unique dynamic support.
- What can it be used for?
1.Acute soft tissue injuries: muscle strain, ligament strain, bruising
2.Muscle facilitation: Muscle weakness or low muscle tone
3.Joint proprioception retraining: Poor posture, joint instability, joint alignment
4.Bone injuries: Shin splints, growing pains
5.Tendinopathies: Tendonitis, tendinosis
6.Swelling and oedema: Joint swelling, lymphoedema
Reference: https://physioworks.com.au/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=38757
https://physioworks.com.au/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=38756
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Posted by: Ilse van Vuuren
