Wondering what is Kinesio Taping? Well, no worries, we have covered all the stuff regarding Kinesio Taping in this article; all you need to do is just read it till the end. In short: Kinesio Taping or Kinesiology Taping is a method where pressure to the tissues is applied to injured area by using the tape. When visiting a Denver physical therapist, most patients are amazed to learn about the range of treatments that may be available. In addition to a physical therapy program, patients may also benefit from supplementary treatments, such as Kinesio taping. Developed back in the 1970s, Kinesio taping is now widely used by athletes and weekend warriors all over the world. As a safe and effective type of therapy, Kinesio tape works with your body to relieve pain, improve circulation, and help you heal and recover faster.
But most individuals probably haven’t even heard about this type of therapy. But even if you aren’t a professional athlete, you can still experience various unique benefits associated with using Kinesio tape. Here, we’re taking a closer look at this all-natural approach to care and recovery and reviewing some of the top benefits of using Kinesio tape. After reading, you may find this type of treatment could be right for you.
Contents
What is Kinesio Taping?
Also commonly known as elastic therapeutic tape, Kinesio tape can provide quick pain relief and improve athletic performance. Kinesio taping is a specific therapeutic technique designed to alleviate pain by facilitating lymphatic drainage by gently lifting the skin over the targeted part of the body. Kinesio tape, you may see, is very popular with athletes across all sports. Why is this? Because Kinesio tape is unique in that it allows you to heal while not limiting your range of motion or flexibility. It also provides key stability to your joints and muscles to help you heal and even help prevent future injuries.
Kinesio tape can offer soft tissue manipulation, which offers a range of health benefits similar to when you receive manual, hands-on therapy from a physical or massage therapist. That’s why you’ll often see Kinesio tapes offered by physical therapists and recommended to be used with a traditional physical therapy program. Kinesio tape works with your body’s natural healing processes to reduce pain, limit inflammation, increase circulation, and even boost athletic performance. Kinesio tape is generally used on the patient’s back, calves, elbows, shoulders, shins, or wrists to provide a safe and natural form of therapy that encourages the body to heal naturally and quickly.
Dr. Kenzo Kase’s Breakthrough
The story of Kinesio Taping begins in the 1970s with Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist. Dr. Kase was searching for a way to extend the benefits of his treatments beyond the confines of his clinic. He observed that traditional taping methods often restricted movement and failed to provide long-lasting support. This led him to experiment with different materials and application techniques, ultimately resulting in the development of Kinesio Tape.
Dr. Kase’s innovative approach was based on the idea that movement and muscle activation are crucial in promoting healing and maintaining overall health. He aimed to create a tape that could support muscles and joints without limiting their range of motion while also promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
What are the Benefits of Using Kinesio Tape?
From what seems like a relatively simple therapeutic method, there are multiple benefits that you can experience from using this tape. Not only is Kinesio tape safe and simple to use, but it’s also proven effective for countless individuals.
Some of the top benefits of Kinesio taping include:
- Pain relief: when Kinesio tape is applied to your skin, this connection gently adds some pressure that can relieve pain and tension to the targeted area.
- Creates joint space: some research shows that using Kinesio tape can increase joint space, such as your knee or shoulder. This can reduce joint irritation, especially after an injury, and boost overall mobility and flexibility.
- Improves circulation: good blood circulation and flow throughout the body is critical for healing, recovery, and overall health as circulation allows oxygen and nutrients to distribute throughout your body, reaching your brain and other vital organs. Kinesio tape can effectively improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. This is an essential step, especially for athletes recovering from sports-related injuries.
- Improves posture and muscle support: Kinesio tape can encourage better posture by supporting key muscles throughout the body, such as in your lower back. This shows how Kinesio tape can also be effective for non-athletes and individuals working in an office all day over a computer.
- Better athletic performance: Kinesio tape gently applies pressure, which offers muscle support that, in turn, can improve your athletic performance naturally. Kinesio tape is also ideal for athletes because, unlike other assistive devices like a leg or knee brace, it doesn’t restrict your movement and functioning.
Who Could Benefit from Trying Kinesio Tape?
While you may often relate Kinesio tape with recovery for professional athletes, this is just the tip of the iceberg of who can benefit from this elastic tape. Kinesio taping is approved and even recommended for individuals experiencing different injuries, ailments, and recovery needs. As a safe and natural therapy method, Kinesio tape is also ideal for older individuals who may be limited by physicality or medical conditions.
Who can benefit from using Kinesio tape?
- Professional athletes.
- Active individuals.
- People with joint pain.
- Anyone with a physically demanding job (construction workers, factory employees, laborers, etc.)
- Anyone with poor posture.
- Those with sleeping problems.
- Anyone recovering from a sports-related injury, car accident, or significant injury.
Conclusion
If you’re suffering from chronic pain or poor circulation or find that you’re struggling in your recovery from a significant injury or accident, then Kinesio taping could be the right treatment option for you. As a safe and natural way to promote healing and better health, Kinesio tape can offer quick pain relief and restore circulation so your body gets the nutrients it needs. This therapy can do all of this while keeping you active and engaged.
Kinesio tape can also help you recover from an injury faster without limiting your overall range of movement—making this therapy ideal for athletes and those living an active lifestyle. If you want to learn more about this treatment, contact a local physical therapy office. Working with an experienced physical therapist for your Kinesio taping needs can ensure you’re getting the most out of this safe and effective treatment.
