Kinesio Taping as an adjunct to Physical Therapy
October 2, 2013
When watching the 2012 London Summer Olympics, did you find yourself asking, "What is that and why are athletes wearing tape on their body?" It's called Kenesio tape and it was designed in the 1970's by Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor and acupuncturist. His goal was to design a taping method that wasn't as restrictive as the typical athletic tape and one that could help with the body's healing process.
Kensio tape is a "flexible, latex-free tape that can be used on a wide array of populations from pediatric to geriatric, and can help treat a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological, and other medical conditions." It's a taping technique that facilitates the body's natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body's range of motion. It is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused muscles, and to facilitate muscles in movement.
Physical therapists can use kinesio taping in combination with exercise, manual therapy and other forms of treatment for a variety of diagnoses. In order for the tape to be properly used in the outpatient physical therapy setting, an evaluation/assessment is needed prior to application of the tape. Once the target area is identified, the tape can be applied and pulled to different degrees of tension depending on the desired effect and result. Physical therapists and other health care providers can use the kinesio tape as an adjunct to other forms of treatment in order to provide the best outcome for the patient.
Uses for kinesio taping:
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Low back pain
• Knee conditions
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Tennis elbow
• Plantar fasciitis
• Patellar tracking
• Pre and post surgical edema
• Ankle sprains
• Postural re-education
Many of our PRG clinics offer kinesio taping - ask your physical therapist today how this taping method can help you during your rehabilitation!