Kinesiology tape is a therapeutic tape used for supporting joints and muscles. It is meant to help reduce pain and is regularly used by physical therapists, athletes, and athletic trainers. It is making a big difference in the areas of physical therapy, pain management, and sports performance. So, when should you use kinesiology tape and what are its benefits? At Advanced Manual Therapy Institute, we would like to answer this question based on our experience and expertise.
Basic Benefits of Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping provides you with a wide range of benefits. There are multiple research studies to support these benefits. The basic benefits of this technique are as follows:
- Reducing or relieving pain
- Decreasing inflammation
- Reducing swelling
- Promoting circulation, muscle activation, and proprioceptive mechanisms
Thus, the therapist in your Las Vegas therapy clinic may use kinesiology tape to provide you relief from pain, reduce swelling, and/or prevent the reoccurrence of injuries. It can help improve blood flow to the area where it is applied. Studies also show that the use of kinesiology tape in older adults reduced their risk of falls. It helped improve dynamic surface balance when used in women who had a history of falling.
Uses of Kinesiology Tape
Some of the different reasons why kinesiology tape is used are as follows:
1. Treating Injuries
Kinesiology taping is often used in physical therapy in Las Vegas as a treatment option for injuries. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, this technique is more effective when it is used along with other treatment options. It has shown positive effects in improving chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Some of the common types of injuries which are treated with the help of kinesiology taping include the following:
- Quad Strain: Quad strain may be caused by a combination of different factors including over-usage, impact, and dehydration. You can develop quad strain if you engage in a sport or activity that requires a lot of running.
- Hamstring Strain: Such strain is caused when you are sprinting and stopping abruptly. Various sports that can cause quad strain can also cause hamstring strain.
- Knee Injuries: Kinesiology taping for the back of the knee has been known to help address a wide range of problems including baker’s cyst, overextension, hamstring tightness, and bursitis.
- Ankle Stability: Everyone has sprained their ankle at one point in their life. If you get your ankle slightly tweaked every now and then, it is recommended to tape it up before engaging in activities that can cause a twist. Examples of such activities include soccer, trail running, and basketball.
- Plantar Fasciitis: If you have inflammation of the plantar fascia, your Las Vegas physical therapist may suggest kinesiology taping. Plantar fasciitis is caused by factors such as poorly fitting shoes, poor ankle mobility, and over usage. The use of taping before the activity when combined with post-activity acing can help reduce pain and discomfort.
Some of the other injuries that can be improved or prevented with kinesiology taping include Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and tennis elbow.
2. Re-Training Muscles
Kinesiology taping also helps in re-training the muscles that no longer function to their full capability. It also re-trains muscles that have become used to unhealthy or improper ways of functioning. For example, the taping technique is often used for correcting the posture of the neck and head. It has also delivered positive effects in improving the way stroke patients walk. Many Las Vegas physical therapists believe that the sensation of having tape on your skin makes you more aware of your posture.
3. Managing Scars
The use of kinesiology tape is not recommended on open wounds. Still, there are research studies that show that the tape is capable of improving the long-term appearance of scars received from injuries and surgeries. It is recommended to discuss this form of treatment with your Las Vegas occupational therapist and doctor first.
4. Support Weak Areas
Kinesiology taping is also used for providing additional support to joints and muscles that are weak. Some of the conditions or injuries where this is suggested include:
- IT band friction syndrome
- Patellofemoral stress syndrome
- Achilles tendonitis
Kinesiology tape is different from athletic tape and white medical tape in that it allows you to move normally. According to some research studies, this form of taping can improve not just movement, but also endurance. Studies involving athletes have demonstrated performance improvement when the tap is used on fatigued muscles.
5. Improved Performance
Many athletes rely on kinesiology taping for improving their performance while keeping safe against injury. Runners often use it whenever they have to run a marathon. Your Las Vegas physical therapist can place the tape along your glute to help wake up the muscle. This ‘reminds’ the muscle to keep working.
Thus, there are many different scenarios where kinesiology tape can be used. For more information about this technique, get in touch with our therapy clinic in Las Vegas. You can reach the team at Advanced Manual Therapy Institute at 702.896.0383 or you may write to us.