Kinesio Tape
Kinesio taping has taken physical therapy and sports medicine world by storm. This taping method was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 25 years ago in Japan. Kinesio taping has quickly become the gold standard for physical therapy taping and athletic taping. The method of athletic tape uses a uniquely designed and patented tape for treatment of back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow, ankle injury, muscular disorders, and lymphedema reduction.
Kinesio taping involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over contraction. The first kinesio technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in their normal physical activity with functional assistance. The second kinesio technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation and physical therapy, 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 tape can be used in conjunction with other therapies, including physical therapy, chiropractic, cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, and electrical stimulation.
Kinesio taping affects the activation of the nervous system, the body’s muscle memory processor and the circulatory system. Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body, but they also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows. The failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms. Now more attention is given to the importance of muscle function, that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body’s own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, such as Kinesio tape, was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Application of Kinesio tape creates a completely new and innovative approach to treating back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow, ankle pain, nerves, muscles and organs.
Since the introduction of kinesio tape into the United States, practitioners from PTs, DCs, ATCs, OTs, MTs, to 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 per day with both comfort and ease, because it can be used for several days after application.
Kinesio taping in the United States has helped athletes such as Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong. At the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, Kinesio taping was used by the Olympic Village Physio Team to treat many athletes. In the United Kindom, Kinesio taping is being used in hospitals, clinics, universities, schools, and by professional sports teams.
Kinesio tape has been found to be very effective with chronic muscle & joint problems. It’s especially useful for those who have to return to sport or other physical demands before reaching a plateau in care or for chronic recurrent problems. For many practitioners working within this field, the kinesio taping applications are a major breakthrough which substantially reduce recovery times and improve physical activity levels for their clients as well as reducing the amount of treatment for physical therapy.
Kinesio Taping Concepts
Muscles constantly extend and contract within a normal anatomical range, however, when muscles over contract and over extend, i.e. lifting an excessive amount of weight, muscles cannot recover, tear 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 dysfunction and pain signals to the brain.
Standard athletic tape is designed to restrict the movement of muscles and joints. For this purpose, several layers of tape must be rolled around and over the afflicted area applying significant pressure resulting in the obstruction of the flow of bodily fluids which is an undesired side effect. This is also the reason athletic tape is generally applied immediately before the sports activity and removed immediately after the activity is finished. On the other hand kinesio taping is based on a different philosophy that aims to give free range of motion in order to allow the body’s muscular system to heal itself biomechanically.
To ensure that the muscles have free range of motion, tape with an elasticity of 130-140% of its original length is used for kinesio taping. This specific elasticity also will not allow an over stretch of the muscles themselves. It may look like conventional athletic tape, but kinesio tape is fundamentally different.
Kinesio Tape at the Olympics
With over 200 countries competing in the Vancouver Olympics, kinesio tape has been widely noticed on athletes from around the world. Not only has it been getting media attention in the Vancouver Olympics, it has been featured on NBC, MSNBC, Popular Science, national and international media, print publications, as well as national and local TV stations.
The links below provide media coverage of kinesio tape and its role in Olympic athletes. Please take some time to watch and learn more about this special and exciting tape.
CNBC in Beijing Olympics and Vancouver Olympics
Specialty Tape Crashes Olympics
Certification
KT1-One day course-Open to everyone (A basic knowledge of muscles is required)
The kinesio tape 1 course introduces practitioners to the kinesio taping. During the 8 hours of this course, the fundamental concepts of kinesio taping will be discussed and practitioners will learn the basic taping methods using kinesio tape. Attendees will be given ample time to practice KT methods in order to enhance your skills. Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to apply the kinesio taping method to relax overuse syndromes, stimulate weak muscles and decrease pain and swelling.
KT2-One day course-Practitioners only (KT1 required)
The kinesio tape 2 course consists of advanced concepts and corrective techniques, building on the material learnt in kinesio tape 1. During this course, attendees will learn about the six corrective techniques (Mechanical, Functional, Space, Fascia, Ligament/Tendon, and Lymphatic) and discuss their applications. Again, attendees will have plenty of time to practice applying these techniques. Upon completion of this course, practitioners will be able to discuss and apply the kinesio tape method to orthopedic and neurological conditions.
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