Many patients with MSDs turn to the Kenisio (Kinesiology) taping method. This quick and painless complementary therapy is popular among people with a wide variety of sports and musculoskeletal injuries. The tape stimulates the organism’s natural healing process and provides extra support for the muscles and joints without hindering the range of motion. The tape can also alleviate pain and stimulate lymphatic drainage.
How Does Kinesio Taping Work?
When the tape is applied, it gently lifts the skin due to its elasticity. It makes small wrinkles on the skin surface, which in turn creates tiny spaces between the skin and the tissues inside, in which the areas of negative and positive pressure alternate.
Negative pressure areas stimulate the opening of lymphatic vessels and allow the excess fluid drainage, which reduces the pressure on pain receptors. As a result, the pain is alleviated. Meanwhile, the blood flow improves and delivers the much-needed nutrients to the injured tissue to promote quicker healing.
The tapes come in various shapes and sizes. The therapist determines which Kinesio tape works the best for a particular case. It’s not recommended to apply the Kinesio tape without professional assistance.
Who Should Use Kinesio Tape?
People with MSDs and sports injuries can benefit from the Kinesio tape the most.
- Athlete Rehabilitation
While Kinesio tape doesn’t work wonders for healing sports injuries, it can be a great complement to manual manipulation therapies. The tape stabilizes the affected area and allows the muscles and ligaments to rebuild and strengthen by reducing the pressure on the areas, where manual manipulations were applied.
- Alignment
Kinesio taping can assist you with alignment. Aligning the back or other body parts in a correct way can decrease the pain caused by an injury and allow the joints to recover after physical stress.
- Pain Alleviation
Acute or chronic pain associated with MSDs and injuries can be alleviated by correctly applied Kinesio tape. Kinesio tape is used on the affected area (different taping styles are used for different areas) to reduce pain and discomfort.
- Bruise Reduction
Bruising is a common injury companion. Kinesio tape works well on bruised areas by draining the fluids from the lymphatic ducts. If used correctly, kinesiology tape can reduce bruising in a very short period.
- Athletic Training
Kinesio tape can be applied before exercising or a sports competition. Athletes who have trouble with rolling ankles and patellar tracking tissue can use the tape as a preventive measure.
Does It Help?
While there haven’t been any extensive studies done to confirm the effectiveness of Kinesio tape, many patients with MSDs and athletes give positive reviews to this method. The lack of research doesn’t make the Kinesio tape any less effective.
Kinesio Tape Contraindications
You shouldn’t use kinesiology tape if you have one of the following conditions:
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Kidney problems
- Congestive heart failure
- Skin infections/rashes
- Cancer
Please consult your doctor before turning to the Kinesio taping method. Kinesiology tape should be applied by a professional.