Benefits of Using Kinesio Tape for Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Kinesio tape is a therapeutic tape that has been used in a wide array of sporting events from the Beijing Summers Games in 2008 to the Rugby World Cup in 2010 and have heard that it is endorsed by numerous high profile individual athletes including Lance Armstrong.
Even Liam Firus, a past Lifemoves© client, has been to the World Junior Figure Skating Championships and the Sochi Olympics used Kinesio tape to help him keep competing.
How Was Kinesio Tape Developed?
In 1979 Dr Kase, a Japanese practitioner licensed in chiropractic and acupuncture became frustrated with the notion at the time, that once a joint is of a certain shape it cannot be changed. He discovered that by applying his taping method to the muscles rather than the joint itself, stabilization could be achieved.
At the time, the tape available was rigid and harsh and could only be worn for a few hours. In order to achieve the desired affects, Dr. Kase needed a light, flexible and durable therapeutic tape. He began engineering an elastic tape that would complement his method and as a result revolutionize therapeutic tape around the world: Kinesio Tex Gold tape.
Who Uses Kinesio Tape?
Since its introduction to the U.S. in 1995 Kinesio Tape has gained substantial notoriety and is now used by over 50% of NFL, 75% on MLB and 30% of NBA teams. Over 150,000 practitioners around the world now rely on the Kinesio taping method for the treatment of pain, neuromuscular and neurological pathologies, musculoskeletal injuries and other medical conditions.
How Does Kinesio Tape Work?
The Kinesio Tape method facilitates the body’s natural healing process, while stabilizing muscles and joints without hindering their range of motion
In embriology there are three major germ-cell layers; the outermost layer ectoderm, the middle layer mesoderm and deepest layer endoderm. As we develop, these three layers from our major organs of the body. The Kinesio Tape method works on the basis that these three layers are still connected and it is possible to treat the body from the outside in.
The skin is the largest sensory organ of the body and contains a huge sensory network. Kinesio Taping works by lifting the skin microscopically which forms convolutions creating an institial space. This space allows for greater lymph drainage and enhanced cardiovascular circulation which reduces pressure on sensory and mechanical receptors within the skin. These combined affects alleviate pain, improve muscle function and reduce inflammation.
How Does Using Kinesio Tape Influence Fascia?
Fascia is a strong continuous connective tissue with the human body. It surrounds the muscles, joints, organs and nerves. Following trauma, fascia will change from its usual healthy pattern of linear collagen fibers and become disarrayed and knotted. Applying Kinesio Tape helps to these painful areas helps to restore their natural linear pattern which in turn increases range of motion, makes muscular contractions more efficient and helps relieve pain.
What Can Be Treated with Kinesio Tape?
Kinesio Taping is not just for high performance athletes. It is now used by practitioners around the world in the treatment of orthopaedic, neurological, neuromuscular and medical conditions which many of Lifemoves©’ have one or more of.
Kinesio Tape can be used to treat many conditions including soft tissue injuries such as a lower-back or shoulder injury. Other haves used Kinesio tape to remove excess lymph in cancer patients following a lymphadenectomy. New uses for this truly outstanding tape are still being discovered.
