Who is Kinesiotaping For?
Mountain Land Physical Therapists use a variety of therapeutic taping products, including Kinesio Tape (KT Tape), RockTape, StrengthTape, and SpiderTech, for musculoskeletal conditions. Kerry Jennings, of the US Women’s Sand Volleyball Team, brought attention to the modality when her shoulder was taped during matches at the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Therapeutic taping is applicable to patients of all ages and levels of care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, for conditions including orthopedic, neurological, oncology, acute, and chronic.
Dr. Kenzo Kase presented the idea of using elastic tape in the 1970s to mimic a therapist’s hands. Since then, therapeutic taping has become a modality for pain management, soft tissue injury, tissue and joint malalignment, edema, and more.
Benefits of Kinesiotaping
Therapeutic taping supports the body while promoting the free flow of blood and other bodily fluids through and around the injured muscle. The tape stabilizes the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the wrapped tissues. The tape allows the connective tissue surrounding the affected muscle or tendon to move along with the body, enabling blood and lymphatic fluid to cleanse and heal inflammation without the need for medications or surgery. Kinesiotaping improves circulation, supports muscles, allows the internal injury to heal, and helps prevent further muscle injury while maintaining motion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kinesiotaping
Should therapeutic tape all day?
You can wear kinesiology tape for up to five days, if necessary, to protect an injury without having to take complete rest.
Can you shower with KT tape on?
Most brands of therapeutic tape are water-resistant. You may shower, bathe, and swim with the tape on the skin. Let the tape air dry or pat dry with a towel (do not use a hair dryer to dry). Avoid sun/excessive heat on the tape.
Is there a difference between the colors of therapeutic tape?
There is no physical or chemical difference between the colors of therapeutic tape. The colors were developed to be compatible with color therapy. The beige was created for minimal visibility, and the black was created after many requests. Color choice is a matter of individual preference.
Kinesiotaping is a popular and effective modality utilized by healthcare professionals for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. It is applicable to patients of all ages and levels of care and offers many benefits, including improved circulation, support for muscles, and promoting internal healing without the need for medications or surgery. With the use of therapeutic taping products, patients can experience relief from pain, inflammation, and tissue and joint malalignment. The ability to wear the tape for up to five days while being water-resistant makes it a convenient and accessible option for many.
