Even if you’re familiar with kinesiology tape, also known as kinesio tape, you might not be aware it was invented in the 1970s by a chiropractor. Kinesio tape provides a way to add support to your body without limiting its range of motion.
At Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Lafayette Hill, the Main Line, East Falls, Elkins Park, Manayunk and Hatfield, Pennsylvania, we design treatment plans that address the source of your musculoskeletal pain. We’ll recommend kinesio tape as part of your care if we feel you could benefit.
A fabric tape with plenty of stretch, kinesio tape roughly matches skin elasticity to provide support to joints and muscles without affecting movement like elastic bandages or splints. Made from a cotton and synthetic blend, it’s backed by an adhesive that’s strong and water-resistant. Kinesio tape can remain in place for up to five days.
The stretchability of kinesio tape improves upon traditional rigid athletic tapes by allowing a greater range of natural movement. It’s widely used in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and sports medicine.
Because of its elasticity, kinesio tape pulls your skin up slightly as it resets from the stretching that happens when it’s applied to your skin. It’s thought that this lifting action adds a small space between your surface skin and underlying tissue that contributes therapeutically.
While increasing blood flow, this lift improves lymphatic circulation and drainage, which combine to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Kinesio tape is often applied in strips shaped like the letters I, X, or Y, depending on the joint it’s supporting and the intended effect. Its primary uses include:
Kinesio tape can also provide proprioception, awareness of the joint or body part where the tape is placed. This can help you focus on movement and posture in the problem area.
Some of the other benefits kinesio tape provides are:
An advantage of kinesio taping is that it’s drug-free and doesn’t impact on other treatments you may be receiving. In fact, kinesio taping may be more effective when part of a multi-modal treatment plan.
Learn more about kinesio taping by consulting with one of our team members at Active Care Chiropractic & Rehabilitation. Schedule a visit with any of our six offices by calling 215-836-8888 or request an appointment online using the convenient link on this page today.
