The Kinesio Taping Method is a treatment used to change muscle tone, correct movement pattern, improve posture and move lymphatic fluids.
It can affect the circulatory/lymphatic, muscular, neural, and fascial systems and the joints by applying Kinesio Tex Tape in a specific manner to create change in the aforementioned systems.
The Kinesio Taping Method is different than another taping method. The Athletic strapping tape is used mostly to limit ranges of motion over the injured area or to support it so that athletes can perform sports movements.
Usually, the athletic tape is removed after the end of an athletic event. Using the McConnell Taping Method, the body parts are tapes to affect a specific biomechanical movement but with very rigid, highly adhesive tape applied for no more than 18 hours and often for shorter periods of time due to patient discomfort.
Kinesio Tex Tape is a latex-free hypoallergenic tape made of cotton fiber with an acrylic heat-activated backing that can be stretched 40%-60%. It was created and developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1973 after many unsuccessful attempts to use adhesive tapes available back then.
Kinesio Tape uses physical therapists, chiropractors, certified athletic trainers and many others, but anyone who uses the Kinesio Tape must be trained in the Kinesio Taping Method by Certified Kinesio Taping Instructors (CKTI).
Six basic concepts of the Kinesio Taping technique called corrections are:
- Mechanical (improves stability and biomechanics)
- Fascia (fascial)
- Space (decrease pressure over a target side)
- Ligament/tendon (decrease stress on a ligament or tendon)
- Functional (provide sensory stimulation to either assist or limit a motion)
- Circulatory/ lymphatic (help move lymphatic fluid from more congested to less congested areas)
For example, in space corrections, with the Kinesio Tape, the upper layer of the skin is pulled and more space between the dermis and the muscle is created so the pressure on the lymph channels is relieved and drainage through affected areas is better.
Also, increased space can have an effect on the nerve receptors and enable more fluid go through the muscles and resulting better muscle performance.
When Kinesio Tex Tape is used in the ligament or tendon corrections, it affects the muscles and fascia (material that separates the muscles and internal organs) reducing the poor function of a joint by having an influence on opposite muscle groups.
Also, Kinesio Taping can affect on scars in some patients by reduction of adhesions, pitting, flattening, and contractures.
