Kinesio Tape

KinesioTape was invented by a Japanese chiropractor to help support and strengthen the body’s natural healing properties. You are receiving the same advanced therapeutic procedure that Olympic and professional athletes receive for their pains, misalignments and injuries.

KINESIOTAPE BENEFITS:

1. REDUCES PAIN by causing the body to release Endorphins and Enkephalins (the body's natural pain relievers).

2. SUPPORTS INJURED MUSCLES by either reducing muscle tension or helping allow full range of motion.

3. REDUCES SWELLING by improving lymphatic flow.

4. REDUCES MUSCLE SPASM by reducing muscle fatigue and over contraction.

5. HELPS ADJUSTMENTS HOLD by gently supporting the area.

Kinesio Taping is a technique based on the body's own natural healing process. Kinesio Taping affects the activation of neurological systems (the body’s information processor) and circulatory systems. This method basically stems from the science of Kinesiology. Hence the name "Kinesio" is used.

Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms.

So much attention was given to the importance of muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body's own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of Kinesio Taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles, and organs.

Muscles constantly extend and contract within a normal range; however, when muscles over-extend and over contract, such as when lifting an excessive amount of weight, muscles cannot recover and become inflamed. When a muscle is inflamed, swollen or stiff due to fatigue, the space between the skin and muscle is compressed, resulting in constriction to the flow of lymphatic fluid. This compression also applies pressure to the pain receptors beneath the skin, which in turn communicates, "discomfort signals" to the brain; the person experiences PAIN. This type of pain is known as myalgia, or muscular pain.

The Kinesio Taping® Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in their normal physical activity with functional assistance. The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period.

Kinesio Taping® affects the activation of the neurological system, the body's information processor and the circulatory system. Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body, but they also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms.

Kinesio Taping® alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. The taped portion forms convolutions in the skin, thus increasing interstitial space. The result is that pressure and irritation are taken off the neural and sensory receptors, alleviating pain. Pressure is gradually taken off the lymphatic system, allowing it to channel more freely.

Kinesio Taping® Method Concepts
There are two ways to apply Kinesio® Tex Tape. You can apply the tape with little to no stretch, which is described as UNSTRETCHED, or you can apply the tape while it is stretched, which is known as STRETCHED. You can also start and end from the origin to insertion of the muscle (or reverse it). Below is the rationale for each.

The basic principle of therapeutic taping for weakened muscle is to wrap the tape around the affected muscle. Start from where the muscle begins [ORIGIN] and continue along the muscle, and finish where the muscle ends [INSERTION].

This particular application process is typically used for supportive purposes. As the muscle fibers contract, Kinesio Tex® Tape supports the contraction by pulling and stimulating the skin and muscle back towards the point of origin.

For treatment of muscle pain, Kinesio Taping® is ineffective unless the skin is stretched. This particular application process is typically used for acute conditions such as strain or sprain, muscle spasm, and edema from injury or surgical procedures. As the muscle fibers contract, the Kinesio Tex® Tape will relax or slack said muscle.

UNSTRETCHED: In this case, we stretch the skin of the affected area before application of the tape. This is done by stretching the muscles and joints in the affected area. After application, the taped skin will form convolutions when the skin and muscles contract back to their normal position. When the skin is lifted by this technique, the flow of blood and lymphatic fluid beneath the skin improves.

On the other hand, if joints or ligaments are injured, the tape should be STRETCHED before application to the skin. The damaged joints or ligaments are incapable of functioning normally and rely on the stretched tape for correction. It is also important to note that while depending on the injury, tape is either stretched or not stretched, this does not mean that the actual application br>