Lots people sueggest use kinesiology tape to cure pain but do you know what is kinesiology tape and how does kinesio taping works for you? This artile will give you a introduction for you.
Have you noticed colorful tapes on athletes, Olympians, football players, or even physical training enthusiasts and therapists?
That tape was most likely a kinesiology tape, called k tape.
Kinesiology tape is a medical tape that helps to reduce pain by supporting joints and muscles.
It is typical in the sports and or decreased inflammation, reduced swelling, and increased blood flow in the most irresistible quality of this tape is that it requires basic skills to apply.
In a world were medium and straightforward muscle injuries are inevitable, even for the ordinary person, you can’t afford to stay without a kt tape. It is a “must-have” item in your first aid kit or medical store.
In this article, we will focus on how kinesiology works and how it helps your back and knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and Sciatica.
We will also discuss choosing the best, its advantages, and much more.
Keep reading for more details!
How does kinesiology tape work?
You may be asking yourself, “How can a simple medical adhesive tape reduce pain?”
Well, to understand how this tape works, we bring you three theories that explain this therapeutic jargon.
- The changing muscle activation theory.
- Increasing circulation theory
- The gate control theory
The changing muscle activation theory.
After your muscle is strained and in pain, you may visit your therapist for muscle activation. Your MAT practitioner evaluates your neuromuscular function through several mobility tests. They then zeros down on specific muscles which don’t contract smoothly.
Your therapist applies the kt tape to the identified area of muscle weakness. This tape activates the muscle by causing isometric contractions by using a measure of force to the base and insertion areas of the hurting parts.
This process of muscle activation restores the broken connections between the muscular and nervous systems. In effect, your initial symptoms of pain are significantly reduced.
Increasing circulation theory
In musculoskeletal practice, the kt tape is used to prevent damage and rehabilitate tissues.
This theory says that the athletic tape supports blood flow in the microcirculation by creating skin convolutions. Effectively, this improved blood circulation facilitates healing and reduces swelling in the affected muscle.
The science behind the improved blood flow is that Kinesio tape lifts the skin from its underlying tissues. This lifting eases
pressure on the nerve receptors in the muscles, skin, deep layers of the fascia, and surrounding connective tissues.
The gate control theory
After a muscle injury, pain signals are transmitted to the brain through the spinal cord.
Kinesiology tape slitting machine
This theory suggests that nerve gates are mounted against the transmission of the pain signals to the brain.
The substantia gelitanosa acts as a gate in the spinal cord.
Pain signals are interrupted in the gates and end up being blocked from reaching the brain.
When you apply an athletic tape on the skin above your hurting muscle, a soothing sensation is transmitted to your nervous system.
This sensation overwhelms the pain signal, and so the nerve gate allows the sensation message as a matter of urgency and stops the pain signal.
Can the kt tape help back pain?
Emphatically, yes! Allow me to explain.
Firstly, in a process called proprioception, the Kinesio tape helps to provide crucial feedback about a muscle or joint to the brain.
This tape raises the level of awareness concerning a painful organ. You, therefore, behave and move in a way that doesn’t hurt the body further.
Your choice to use a medical adhesive tape on any back pain lowers pressure and gives the much-needed proprioceptive aid. In particular, the K tape will enhance support for the lumbar spine muscular tissues and reduce pain.
You may be interested to discover that 10 to 15% of injuries in sports are low back-related; the k tape is an ideal product for immediate relief.
This relief will help your back resume a normal and healthy functional posture. It’s no surprise that athletes and fitness pundits turn to the kt tape for help.
Therapists use Kinesio tape in lifting your skin over the knotted and tense muscles. This move decompresses the affected area, and pain receptors transmit new signals to your brain, which helps to relieve tension on your back.
What about knee pain?
Knee pain is joint and is usually caused by injury, aging, or repeated pressure on your knee.
Concerning these cases, the standard knee issues include cartilage tears, arthritis, tendonitis, and strained or sprained ligaments.
Your body regulates fluid build-up and swelling through the lymphatic system. Kinesiology tape is known to enhance this system in your knee.
The application of this tape creates more subcutaneous room, which relieves pressure underneath your skin.
This reduced pressure supports the movement of the lymphatic fluid.
Therefore, when you put the medical adhesive tape on the knee, the kt tape promotes circulation, supports joints and muscles, and stops further muscle injuries. If you are an arthritis patient, use the kt tape to improve knee function and alleviate pain.
Kinesio taping is an effective non-surgical procedure for relieving knee pain, promoting motion, and enhancing daily living activities for anyone with knee pain.
This intervention can be achieved at home or by a therapist with little effort.
Kinesiology tape and plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the thick tissue band that links the heel to the toes. The affected tissue, also called the plantar fascia, runs across the base of the foot.
The typical symptom of plantar fasciitis is a sharp pain near the heel but at the bottom of the foot.
Common factors which cause plantar fasciitis include your foot structure, walking surfaces, overuse, and the type of shoes you wear regularly.
However, it is essential for you to know that this condition develops over time due to excessive strain.
Your therapist will recommend the Kinesio tape as part of your treatment regime. This tape will hold your plantar fascia and reduce pressure and stress.
To use the tape on your foot, round the edges of your k tape and apply the adhesion beneath the arch of your foot. After rubbing the tape on your foot, wait for thirty minutes before walking.
Remove the tape after every twenty-four hours for optimal skin stimulation. Wearing the tape for longer than the recommended hours may cause mild skin problems.
Can kinesiology tape help Sciatica?
- Sciatica is the pain that affects the hip, back, and the outer side of your leg. It is caused by pressure and compression of the spinal nerve at the base of the lower back. This compression is due to the degeneration of the intervertebral disc.
- Sometimes, Sciatica related pain may come with numbness in the back of your leg. Typically, you will experience this pain in the form of a shooting or a constant burning
- sensation at the buttock or lower back. This pain will further manifest down the back or front of your thigh, feet, or leg.
- You will need chiropractic adjustments to align your hips as an acute treatment and therapeutic procedure. The kt tape will support the affected area and ease pressure on
- the affected nerve. You will need assistance to apply the tape appropriately on your back.
Benefits of kinesiology taping
- Kinesio taping relieves pain
- It reduces swelling
- Kinesio tape leads to increased blood flow
K tape is very beneficial as a prohibitive and therapeutic remedy for muscles soreness and hurting joints. We bring you three scientific priorities of this tape as confirmed by research.
They include:
Kinesio taping relieves pain.
Research has confirmed that taping after delayed onset muscle soreness can increase motion range and decrease pain compared to a non-tape condition.
However, kinesiology tape should be used with other therapies such as exercise to optimize its effectiveness as a pain relief intervention.
We advise that where and when the pain is acute and persistent, it would help if you would seek specialized attention.
It reduces swelling
Another study confirmed that a combination of kinesiology tape with physical exercise resulted in a significant reduction in swelling and pain in patients.
Patients who depended on physical therapy alone had a slow and long recovery process. Another associated benefit of Kinesio tape was a fast reduction of edema in patients.
Kinesio tape leads to increased blood flow.
As pointed out earlier, k tape increases blood flow to areas to which it is applied.
This increase does not just supply oxygen to the affected areas, but it also provides essential nutrients that facilitate healing. Important to note is that convolutions and tape tension do not highly affect desired outcome.
How to choose the best Kinesio tape?
- The best adhesion capabilities
- A brand that is easy to apply
- A tape with a non-irritating formula
- Buy a product whose quality is backed by research.
In our view, there are four major factors to consider when choosing your Kinesio tape.
While cost always comes first in every business transaction, you need to get value for your money and an appropriate product for your specific need. Choose a tape with the following qualities:
The best adhesion capabilities
Some of the best tapes can last up to five days before applying a new one.
A tape with good adhesion will stick during showers, exercise, and other activities for a long.
This quality will save you money and guarantee sustained support for your healing.
A brand that is easy to apply
Most brands have indicated the application procedure and the extent to which you can stretch your tape on the back of the tape.
Go for a tape that will offer you the correct tension for your situation. An easy-to-apply tape is the best deal.
A tape with a non-irritating formula
If your skin is sensitive to the adhesive substance, you need not worry. There are brands with non-irritant formulae that can comfortably serve your case. Insist on this type for your pain-relieving k tape needs.
Buy a product whose quality is backed by research.
In a world driven by information, conduct due diligence in finding out the authenticity of your kt tape product. Go for a product whose production is backed by research.
Online Research
Kinesio tape application tips
You may be interested to know the process and application highlights of the Kinesio tape. Here is how to do it:
- Prepare your skin. Firstly, clean and dry the affected area. If necessary, remove the excess hair. Cut and remove the backing of the tape. Cut an ideal size of tape and shape the edges round. Cut a shorter length than the area to be applied if you are using tension o the tape. Tear the back of the tape and leave two to four centimeters on both ends of the anchors.
- Make two minor tears on both sides of the backing and separately the two pieces by a gentle pull as the support remains on the tape.
- Apply the anchor. Peel off the backing and apply the anchor with no tension. Rub the tape gently and activate adhesion.
- With desired tension, apply the tape. Get rid of the backing and leave 2-4 cm at the end. Use the brand indicators to apply pressure. Remove the remaining support, lay the anchor without tension, and rub on it.
- Rub to activate the adhesive. Activate the glue by rubbing the entire length of the tape using the shiny side of the backing.
- Take proper care after the Kinesio tape is applied. Feel free to swim or shower with your tape used. But remember to wipe it dry after that.
- If your skin is itching, irritating, or has redness, remove the K tape. It is a sign that you are allergic to adhesive.
FAQ
What is the meaning of the kinesiology tape colors?
There is no specific chemical or physical significance or difference in the colors. The colors are to enhance color therapy. Individual preference determines the color choice.
Are there Kinesio tapes for animals?
Yes! There are four brands for humans and two brands for animal therapy. Vet clinicians choose their desired brand depending on need and use.
Conclusion
Kinesio taping is a non-surgical remedy for relieving pain, supporting the healing process, and prohibiting further damage to the affected areas. Our focus was on the most common muscle-related injuries, and YES! kinesiology tape is your answer to their pain.
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