Kinesiology tape is used by health practitioners such as osteopaths and physiotherapists and can often be seen on professional athletes. The tape is generally made from a mix of cotton, Lycra and adhesive, and good-quality kinesiology tape is modelled to resemble the elasticity of human skin. It can be worn without it restricting the range of movement or any uncomfortable binding feeling, which makes it great for athletic performance and also for situations where we want to encourage certain posture(s).
What does kinesiology tape claim to help with?
In theory, when applied professionally and accurately, kinesiology tape can be used as an aid for pain relief, to provide extra support for injured areas, to enhance athletic performance and to reduce inflammation and oedema, and it can also be applied when the purpose is to decrease postural strain.
How does kinesiology tape improve injury?
Kinesiology tape is generally applied directly to the areas of injury or dysfunction. The amount of stretch applied varies dependent on the problem. The elasticity of the tape causes a recoil effect on the skin and so lifts both the skin and underlying fascia away from the muscle and deeper tissues.
This can be helpful because when connective tissues such as a joint, ligament or muscle is strained or sprained, inflammation sets in. This inflammation increases pressure between the structures and so decreases the amount of normal movement available. The theory behind kinesiology tape is that its recoil effect increases the space between the skin and the underlying tissues, thereby reducing friction, wicking away inflammation and enabling a greater degree of movement.
How does kinesiology tape help with pain relief?
By reducing inflammation and increasing the space between the affected tissues, we hope to decrease pressure on pain-sensitive nerve fibres within these areas and allow them to alter pain signals to the brain as a result of reduced pressure on localised nociceptive nerve fibres.
How does it promote healing of tissues?
The lifting of skin and fascia away from the deeper tissues aims to increase the natural flow of blood and drainage to the lymphatic vessels. This can improve blood supply to the area and encourage the drainage of inflammatory mediators. Put simply, this may decrease the time a strained muscle or a sprained ligament may take to heal.
Who is kinesiology tape relevant for?
Kinesiology tape can be helpful for sportsmen and sportswomen at all levels, but it is just as relevant for musculoskeletal conditions that have occurred away from the sports field or gym. The following are just a few of the issues I have used kinesiology tape for in the past:
• ligament sprain and swelling
• pain relief for joint or muscle injury
• muscle spasm or guarding
• swelling/inflammation (ie peripheral oedema)
• decreasing inappropriate movement that may be causing pain to a joint
• postural strain.
Kinesiology tape comes at no extra charge to the normal appointment cost and is another option that may be relevant to your successful treatment. I use it when I believe it will help speed up recovery and reduce pain.
Chris Brooks
07811 388557
www.sussexosteo.com
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