Get Back in the Game

Kinesiotape is a unique kind of tape intended to help alleviate pain within muscles, tendons and ligaments. The design of the tape allows for the body’s muscles and joints to be stabilized without losing any range of motion. The nature of the flexible, stretchy tape puts the body back into its correct position and can replace thick, bulky braces that limit the body’s movements. Kinesiotape can be used by anyone who experiences muscle spasm, tension or pain but is especially popular amongst athletes who need not only the support, but who also need to function correctly in order to optimize his or her performance.

Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor and acupuncturist, developed the tape for his patients who wanted something smaller and more pliable than a brace or wrap. Dr. Kase tried many different athletic tapes but found that most were too stiff and did not easily move with the body, making the joint immobile. To create something that flowed smoothly, Dr. Kase needed a tape that would stretch and be elastic just the same as a human muscle.

After reaching this conclusion, he then needed a material that would stick to the skin and last for up to five days per application. To create such a material, Dr. Kase studied elasticity and adhesives and finally found the correct amount of elasticity for the tape and created the name “Kinesio” due to the relationship of the tape’s purpose and the proper movements of the body called kinesiology.

Before kinesiotape is applied, the patient should be properly assessed to correctly determine the spot of pain and discomfort and to identify any other underlying conditions. Once the treatment plan has been set, kinesiotape can be a great addition to keep the patient positively continuing with their treatment.

Often people acquire muscle soreness and pain due to incorrect posture, injury or stress. Kinesiotape is able to help combat these complications by encouraging proper alignment using the stretch of the tape to put the joint into correct position to relax the irritated muscle, tissue tension or reduce the pain. The stretch of the tape combined with the adhesive gently pulls on the skin and joint to reinforce proper alignment. The accepted theory is that the tape lightly pulls on the skin to increase the surface area and promote positive circulation under the dermis and reducing abnormal edema or fluid buildup in the area.

Common sites of kinesiotape application include the knees, shoulders, lower back and neck. There are many different arrangements used when taping but can be molded to an individual’s needs. The flexibility and amount of stretch can be adjusted to the patient’s liking, but general instructions suggest not stretching either ends of the tape but putting a good amount of stretch to the middle of the tape to pull the joint into correct position. Kinesiotape may not be the answer to every patient’s problems, but for some it can help ease the pain so everyday activities are more enjoyable.

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