Kinesio Taping
For pain relief and improved function
What is kinesiology tape?
Kinesiology tape is a thin and stretchy therapeutic tape designed to stabilize rather than immobilize an injured area on your body. There are a number of taping patterns and it can be used on all areas of the body to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Decreased Pain
Taping techniques increase blood flow which leads to reducing swelling and inflammation – and ultimately less pain.
Increased Function
With structural support rather than immobilization to joints and muscles, the body can relearn proper use after injury.
Promoted Healing
Kinesio tape lessens pain and improves function, allowing other chiropractic techniques to promote healing.
K-tape is water-resistant and latex-free. Its thin elasticity is designed to mimic human skin and provide support for your joints and muscles.
How does it work?
Following a manual adjustment by a chiropractor, kinesio taping can improve the benefits by offering extended soft tissue manipulation. It is applied over and around muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other fibrous tissue.
K-tape alleviates pain by microscopically lifting the skin and facilitating decreased inflammation. It mechanically supports joints by mimicking connective tissues. The method and direction in which the tape is applied all vary to achieve desired results. Your chiropractor changes the amount of stretch applied to the tape to influence its effect.
Every patient responds differently to kinesio taping, but taping enhances other healing treatments by increasing blood flow and restoring range of motion.
K-tape alleviates pain by microscopically lifting the skin and facilitating decreased inflammation. It mechanically supports joints by mimicking connective tissues. The method and direction in which the tape is applied all vary to achieve desired results. Your chiropractor changes the amount of stretch applied to the tape to influence its effect.
Every patient responds differently to kinesio taping, but taping enhances other healing treatments by increasing blood flow and restoring range of motion.
Benefits of kinesio taping
Kinesio taping helps relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and increase muscular awareness. While taping alone does not heal an injury, it supports healing treatments from physical therapy, chiropractic care, or even surgery.
Specific benefits of kinesio taping include:
Altogether, these benefits improve your body's receptiveness to other treatments and speed up the healing process.
Specific benefits of kinesio taping include:
- Support for weak, healing areas like joints and muscles
- Positive influence on the brain's sense of muscle tension
- Improved blood circulation and lymphatic circulation
- Alters signals from pain receptors in the skin, reducing sensations of pain
Altogether, these benefits improve your body's receptiveness to other treatments and speed up the healing process.
History of kinesiology taping
Consistent with a chiropractor's goals of promoting natural healing, Dr. Kenzo Kase developed the kinesio taping method in the 1970s (Source). He refined his method and products and began educating healthcare professionals about taping applications.
Kinesio taping started appearing in the sports realm in the 1980s and has since been visible at multiple Olympic games. In the last decade, Kase has expanded his method to even treat animals like horses.
Kinesio taping started appearing in the sports realm in the 1980s and has since been visible at multiple Olympic games. In the last decade, Kase has expanded his method to even treat animals like horses.
Who is kinesio tape for?
Most often used as a sports tape for injured athletes, k-tape is also used in the healthcare setting to help treat inflammatory conditions or to speed up recovery following surgery. A number of medical professionals utilize kinesio tape to supplement their individual treatments.
A chiropractor may use kinesio taping after completing a spinal manipulation or other treatment types. There are very few side effects of taping. Even if you have thin or sensitive skin, most tapes are latex-free and have options for sensitive skin.
Your doctor of chiropractic will avoid kinesio taping if your skin is fragile, or newly healing from an open wound.
- Chiropractors
- Physical therapists
- Athletic trainers
- And more
A chiropractor may use kinesio taping after completing a spinal manipulation or other treatment types. There are very few side effects of taping. Even if you have thin or sensitive skin, most tapes are latex-free and have options for sensitive skin.
Your doctor of chiropractic will avoid kinesio taping if your skin is fragile, or newly healing from an open wound.
What is the difference between sports taping and kinesio taping?
If you learn the technique, it is possible for you to purchase k-tape and use it on your own. However, there is a difference between traditional athletic tape or medical tape and kinesio tape. The first two are usually non-elastic and restrict motion.
K-tape is designed to mimic the same thickness and elasticity as your own skin, making it comfortable and easy to wear for up to 5 days. You can purchase it in rolls, precut strips, and precut applications for specific parts of the body for easy application.
K-tape is designed to mimic the same thickness and elasticity as your own skin, making it comfortable and easy to wear for up to 5 days. You can purchase it in rolls, precut strips, and precut applications for specific parts of the body for easy application.
Conditions treated with kinesiology taping
Our office uses kinesio taping to supplement other non-invasive, drug-free treatments. Your chiropractor may encourage the use of taping if you have one of the following conditions:
- Overuse injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Low back pain
- Neck pain and/or whiplash
- Wrist pain
- Knee and shoulder pain
Schedule an adjustment
If you are looking for pain relief and improved wellness, we are ready to see you for a chiropractic adjustment. A doctor of chiropractic will conduct a physical exam and medical history before determining the chiropractic treatment that is right for you.
Many insurances offer coverage for chiropractic care. Schedule your consultation today and discover why so many people trust a chiropractor with their body.
Many insurances offer coverage for chiropractic care. Schedule your consultation today and discover why so many people trust a chiropractor with their body.