WHAT IS THE KINESIO TAPING® METHOD?
- Developed By Dr. Kenzo Kase® in 1979
- The Authentic KINESIO Taping® Method
- The only method that is backed by the work of more than 100,000 independent clinicians
- The only taping method practiced at the Center for Kinesio Taping® Methods within the University of New Mexico School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery
The Kinesio Taping® Method is the definitive rehabilitative taping system of knowledge, 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, as well as providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting.
Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio® Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions. The Kinesio Taping® Method is a therapeutic taping technique not only offering you the support you are looking for, but also assisting in rehabilitation of injury and physiological dysfunction. By targeting different receptors within the somatosensory system, Kinesio® Tape alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting action forms convolutions in the skin, thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation of the target areas.
Based upon years of clinical use, Kinesio® Tape is specifically applied to the patient based upon evaluated needs. The findings of the clinical evaluation or assessment dictate the specifics of the Kinesio® Tape application and use of selected co-interventions. With the utilization of single “I” strips or modifications in the shape of “X”, “Y” or other specialized shapes, as well as the direction and amount of stretch placed on the tape at time of application, Kinesio® Tape can be applied in hundreds of ways. The taping has the ability to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce pain and inflammation, optimize performance, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing, and assist in returning the body to homeostasis.
THE KINESIO® BENEFIT
Evaluation and assessment are key in the treatment of any clinical condition. In order to get the desired results from a Kinesio Taping® application - or any other treatment - a full patient assessment is necessary. In some cases, the treatment of a condition may require treatment of other underlying conditions as well. Assessment may include manual muscle testing, range of motion testing, gait assessment, and any other orthopedic special tests deemed necessary within the therapist's scope of practice. The information gained from these assessments will allow for the proper treatment protocol to be established. Kinesio Taping® can be a valuable addition to this protocol. It has been proven to have positive physiological effects on the skin, lymphatic and circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. It can be used in conjunction with a multitude of other clinical treatments and modalities and is effective during the rehabilitative and chronic phases of injury, as well as being widely used for preventive measures.
"I discovered Kinesiotape through an ad online, and after some research, decided it was worth a try. It is definitely worth a try and worth the money! I have multiple joint injuries which cause recurring problems, and this tape works wonders! For years I have used braces, Ace bandages, and standard athletic tape, but they all have their drawbacks--braces and elastic bandages restrict circulation and movement, and standard athletic tape immobilizes the affected area, which is fine for an initial injury, but for a re-injury or chronic condition, it can hinder healing by preventing muscles and ligaments from gaining strength. Kinesiotape flexes with your muscles, and if applied correctly, it doesn't wrinkle and bunch. It provides much more support than it would appear from the way it is applied (along the muscle fiber, not a "figure eight" around the joint) It also appears to aid in circulation and reduce swelling as claimed, and it helps get my knee and ankle back in line when they have been locking up. That said, it is a MUST to learn to apply the tape correctly, either from a chiropractor, physical therapist, or from the many online demonstration videos, if you are able to learn in that way. I can see how incorrectly applied tape could do nothing for a condition, or give a sense of false security. There is certainly an element of trial and error, but I think a good starting point is essential. It also helps to have an understanding of how your body works, how your muscles and ligaments operate, and how your condition disrupts that operation." - Nevermore Amazon.com