What is Kinesiotaping?
Kinesiotaping, also known as Kinesio Taping or KT Taping, is a therapeutic taping technique used to support and stabilize muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It is commonly used in sports medicine, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. It's purpose is to aid in the healing of injuries while allowing for free movement, which traditional athletic taping techniques often restrict.
How does it work?
- Elastic Properties: The tape is made of a cotton and nylon blend with elastic properties, allowing it to stretch up to 140-160% of its original length. This elasticity mimics the skin's natural elasticity.
- Application: The tape is applied with varying degrees of stretch, depending on the desired therapeutic effect.
- Mechanism: When applied to the skin, it can lift the skin slightly, creating a microscopic space between the skin and the underlying tissues. This is thought to help improve blood and lymphatic flow, reduce pain, and provide support to muscles and joints.
Benefits/ Uses
- Pain Relief: Can help reduce pain by alleviating pressure on pain receptors.
- Reduced Swelling and Inflammation: Improves lymphatic drainage and blood flow, helping to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Support and Stability: Provides support to muscles and joints without restricting movement, useful for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Enhanced Performance: Athletes use kinesiotaping to enhance performance and prevent injuries by providing additional support during physical activities.
- Improved Posture and Alignment: Can be used to correct posture and alignment issues by providing gentle feedback to the body.
- Scar Management: Sometimes used to manage scars by improving circulation and tissue mobility around the scar.
- Pregnancy: Tape during pregnancy can help aleviate pressure on your pelvis, abdomen, and round ligament.
