Kinesio Taping

WHAT IS KINESIOLOGY TAPPING THERAPY?

Elastic Therapeutic Tape, also called Kinesiology Tape, Kinesio Tape, K-Tape is a rehabilitative method used to facilitate the body’s natural healing process, while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. Tapping is usually used by physiotherapists to change Muscle Tone, Move Lymphatic Fluids, Correct Movement Patterns, and Improve Posture. Kinesiology tape is a therapeutic tape that is applied to the body to decrease pain, reduce swelling, and improve functionality. The process involves placing Strips of Kinesiology tape on the body in Specific directions for therapeutic purposes.

Kinesiology tape is stretchable, water-resistant adhesive, made of nylon and cotton both. It is elastic-like skin, therefore allows a full range of motion. When the tape is applied to the body, it lifts your skin gently by recoiling, creating space between the skin and the underneath tissues.

These tissues contain sensory receptors that feel, touch, pain, and temperature, also responsible for sensing proprioception. Kinesiology taping decompresses these tissues thus sending new signals to the brain. When the brain receives these signals, it responds differently.

SIDE EFFECTS OF KINESIOLOGY TAPPING.

In few cases, the tape might cause skin allergies. Therefore to prevent so apply a test strip first, to check if the person is allergic to the tape.

TYPES OF KINESIOLOGY TAPPING

K-Taping can be applied in the shape of a “Y”, “I”, “X”, “Fan”, “Web” or “Donut”. Depending upon the size of the affected muscle and the result to be achieved, the shape of taping is decided.

 “Y” Tape:

“Y” Tape application is generally used to

  1. Surround the target Muscle
  2. Inhibit or Facilitate muscle stimuli
  3. Should be 2 inches longer than the target muscle.

 “I” Tape:

“I” Tape application is generally used for

  1. Acute injuries in place of “Y” Tape
  2. Edema and pain (Primary purpose)
  3. Alignment correction.

 “X” Tape:

“X” Tape application is generally used when

  • The origin and the intersection of the target muscle change depending on movement e.g. the Rhomboids.

 “Fan” /”web” Tape:

“Fan” /”web” tape application is used for

  • Edema (Web is different because the ends remain intact).

 “Donut” Tape:

“Donut” tape application is used for:

  • Edema (Use overlapping strips and the center is cut out over the area of focus).