Kinesio Taping is a rehabilitative taping technique designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It can be used to decrease pain and inflammation, relax overused or tired muscles, and support muscles in unrestricted movement.
Benefits from Kinesio Taping
Kinesio Taping can be used as an adjunctive treatment for any patient with mechanical pain but works particularly well with overuse injuries. Any area of soft tissue (muscle or tendon) can be taped.
Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio Taping is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological, and other medical conditions.
At LeMoine Physical Therapy, therapists may use Kinesio Taping with the following conditions:
- Shin splints
- Tendonitis
- To reinforce posture
- Edema control (swelling)
- Muscle pain
What Is the Difference Between Kinesio Taping and Traditional Taping Methods
Many people are under the impression that Kinesio Taping is like all athletic tapes – pretty much the same and also fairly uncomfortable. But the majority of people who have been exposed to athletic tape are usually only familiar with the traditional tape used in McConnell taping methods. These types of taping methods use the traditional white athletic tape in order to reduce the chance of injury by restricting the patient’s mobility or allowing the patient to participate in an activity with an injury.
Kinesio Taping is very different than traditional taping. First of all, the “tape” is elastic and made with 100 percent cotton. The tape is also hypoallergenic and latex-free. The design of the tape is similar to our skin and that allows for full movement and barely any restriction compared to traditional tape.
The other difference between the two types of tape is that the traditional tape is only meant to be worn for a few hours and can only be used once. The tape cannot get wet and should not be applied directly to the skin. The tape used for Kinesio Taping is water-resistant and can be worn for up to five days in a row.
Who Can Use Kinesio Tape?
Because many professional athletes are seen wearing Kinesio Tape, many people think only athletes would benefit from the tape. However, approximately 85 percent of Kinesio Taping methods are specifically for non-athletes. Patients of all ages who need help with acute injuries, chronic injuries, joint support, alleviation of inflammation and pain, correction of posture, and more can obtain positive results with Kinesio Tape. Kinesio taping methods can also help with preventing injuries.
Can I Apply Kinesio Tape Myself?
Although the techniques used for Kinesio Taping may seem easy and there are even many online sites that advise people that they can apply the tape themselves, the truth is that application of the tape requires extensive knowledge of the physiology of the human body. If the tape is applied incorrectly, it will not be effective with the issues that the patient is having. There are even some applications that require the patient moves in certain ways as the tape is being applied or require a certain about of tension during the application that a person doing it themselves will likely have a very difficult time accomplishing.
Even more critical is the necessity of a diagnosis and treatment plan that needs to be developed by an experienced physical therapist in order to ensure the actual issue is being treated and being treated correctly.
Contact Our Clinic Today
If you have been injured, would like to prevent injury, or have other joint or muscle issues, contact LeMoine Physical Therapy to schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated physical therapists and find out if Kinesio Taping would be a good treatment option for you. Call our office today.
Client Review
“Today was my last day for my treatment on my left arm. The pain I was in from the torn rotator cuff has been releaved. The staff and Dr Lemoine were very pleasant. I would recommend them to my friends.”
Carol S.
