What is kinesiology tape?
Kinesiology is the study of the mechanics of body movements. Kinesiology tape is an innovative, widely used treatment tape that provides desired support to the body, without limiting the mechanics or movements as traditional athletic tape does.
Dr. Kenzo Kase, the inventor of the original Kinesio Tape and method, developed the original product back in the 1970s while practicing as a chiropractor. In effect, Dr. Kase was searching for a way to prolong the effects of his treatments on his patients after they left the office. When he realized that standard athletic tape was too stiff, rigid, and irritating for patients to wear in between appointments, he did what any great thinker would d
Dr. Kenzo Kase, the inventor of the original Kinesio Tape and method, developed the original product back in the 1970s while practicing as a chiropractor. In effect, Dr. Kase was searching for a way to prolong the effects of his treatments on his patients after they left the office. When he realized that standard athletic tape was too stiff, rigid, and irritating for patients to wear in between appointments, he did what any great thinker would d
He invented what he needed
By working with product engineers, Dr. Kase developed Kinesio Tape- a lightweight, hypoallergenic tape that imitates the resilience and flexibility of human skin and promotes healing in tissues. Nowadays there are over 50 brands of this tape available under a variety of brand names.
Undoubtedly, there is no shortage of kinesiology tape sightings in athletics, with strips of colorful tape crisscrossing ankles, shoulders, knees, and elsewhere in intricate patterns and placements. While the exact science of the benefit warrants more research, many people have kinesiology tape applied to their body to decrease pain, improve mobility, and offer support.
So, why do we see this colorful tape all over the place and what is it doing? Specifically, here is what we know about kinesiology tape and why it is so frequently used.
How does Kinesology tape work?
Kinesiology tape is a specially designed blend of nylon and cotton that creates immense stretchability with needed durability. With medical-grade, hypoallergenic adhesive, the tape generally remains intact on the skin for three to five days, in between treatments. In addition, the tape is also water-resistant and designed to adhere even through showers or sweaty workouts.
Once applied, the skin lifts slightly beneath the tape and may create some physiologic change in the area tissues. Some benefits of kinesiology tape include the following:
- Creates joint space.Some studies show that when applied strategically around the knee or shoulder, joint space subsequently increases. With improved joint space, joint irritation may lessen, leading to decreased pain or better mobility.
- May impact pain signals. Chiropractors, Physical therapists, athletic trainers and others uses kinesiology tape to treat pain and dysfunction, including trigger points. In general, the reasoning is that the tape may change how the sensory nervous system sends signals. Patients feel the tape, and this new input may alter signals about body pain and compression. Some research supports the finding that kinesiology tape coupled with manual therapy reduces trigger point pain and improves flexibility. Indeed, patients tend to tolerate the taping quite well. Some research supports the finding that kinesiology tape coupled with manual therapy reduces trigger point pain and improves flexibility. Indeed, patients tend to tolerate the taping quite well.
