What is Kinesio Taping?
The Kinesio Taping Method is a rehabilitative taping technique that is 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 also provides extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered by a physical therapist. Kinesio Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions.
How is Kinesio Tape Applied?
Kinesio Tape is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused muscles, and to help muscles in movement. Because Kinesio Tape is a non-restrictive, highly elastic type of tape, it allows for full range of motion and function, unlike traditional sports tape. It provides stabilization and support during daily activities and sporting events. Kinesio Taping is a technique that can be used in many physical therapy treatment plans.
How does Kinesio Tape Prolong the Benefits of Manual Therapy?
Kinesio Tape is a light modality. In rehabilitative applications it works continuously and can provide an additional 2-3 day relief after therapy. Kinesio Tape does not mask symptoms, but instead promotes healing in a variety of ways. Because your therapist can not provide hands-on treatment to you at all times, Kinesio Taping is like having healing hands on the injured area 24 hours a day.
Benefits of Kinesio Taping
• Relieve acute and overuse injuries
• Promote circulation and healing
• Reduce pain
• Improve muscle function
• Re-educate neuromuscular system
• Provide support to a joint
• Prevent injuries