Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping is a therapeutic tool used to prevent and address sporting injuries that was created in 1979 by Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist. He believed that existing established taping methods are far too restrictive, which can limit their effectiveness or even exacerbate an existing injury.
Kineosio taping utilizes a flexible tape that is applied to specific areas of the body in order to improve blood flow and circulation as well as the neurological function and connection with muscle tissue and groups through proprioception, which is the sense of relative positions of neighboring body parts and the amount of effort that must be employed by each during movement and exertion. This technique has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to its widespread use in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and its increasingly widespread use in treatments for edema and hematoma.
Modality:
Kineosio taping is a rehabilitative taping technique that utilizes the bodies parasympathetic system and neurological proprioception within the fascial tissues to modify base movement patterns, unload mechanical pressure that may be resulting in overstimulated or attenuated nerves and through mechanical release of homeostatic pressure within the tissues in order to enable and improve proper lymphatic flow
The tape itself is latex-free and very flexible in order to ensure full range of motion and can be worn for many days without adverse effects. This technique has been used to treat localized inflammation, bruising and swelling that result from an injury as well as to provide mechanical assistance to ensure proper gait and movement correction- essential concerns for reducing the risk of further injury.
The tape functions by lifting the skin at a microscopic level in order to facilitate lymphatic drainage and promote improved blood flow to capillary and surrounding tissue. This lifting of the skin also increase the volume of interstitial space, which can be of benefit in reducing localized inflammation.
Benefits:
Kinesio taping has been proven to provide a range of positive physiological benefits including improved lympahic fluid and blood flow and stabilization of muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints in order to reduce shorten recovery times and reduce the risk of exasperating an existing sports injury. When used in concert with other treatments and therapies, Kinesio taping can allow for more effective management of chronic injuries.
What to Expect:
Tape is applied to specific areas of the body once a thorough assessment has been preformed. This assessment will include manual testing of muscles and joints as well as evaluation of gait and range of motion and may include other orthopedic tests should they be required. After the assessment has been completed the skin is prepared in order to ensure proper application. Tape is commonly applied either as a single strip, in a range of configurations and shapes that may be required in order to ensure optimal benefit.
Patients are required to wait at least an hour after application before engaging in strenuous activity or exposing themselves to moisture by bathing or swimming.