If you’ve ever attended a professional game or race, you must’ve seen strips of colored tape stretched in patterns across shoulders, knees, backs, and abs. This tape is called Kinesiology tape which is a therapeutic tape that is carefully placed on the body to give support, relieve discomfort, and increase performance.

The tape’s medical-grade adhesive is also water-resistant and strong enough to stay on for three to five days, even while you work out or take showers. It’s created with a proprietary blend of cotton and nylon and designed to mimic the skin’s elasticity so you can use your full range of motion.

The tape recoils slightly when it is placed on your body, softly raising your skin. This is thought to be effective in the creation of a microscopic gap between your skin and the tissues beneath it.

All of the tissues in our body have receptors that contribute to proprioception which is the brain’s sense of where the body is and what it’s doing. 

Kinesiology taping creates a lift that unloads the underlying tissues. Decompressing those tissues can change the signals going to the brain. When the brain receives a different signal, it’s going to respond differently.

Benefits of kinesiology tape include:

1-Decreased Pain: By gently applying pressure, kinesiology tape helps to disrupt and dissipate pain.

2-Increased Circulation and Decreased Inflammation: The tape can help remove congestion while allowing efficient circulation of oxygenated blood and lymphatic fluids. Circulation flushes out irritants, thereby reducing inflammation and chemical buildup and fostering a speedy recovery.

3-Improved Posture and Muscle Support: Taping areas that veer away from correct posture can help gently support proper posture. Proper taping also enables weak muscles to function efficiently, reduces pain and fatigue, and protects against cramping, over-extension, and over-contraction.

4-Improved Athletic Performance: By supporting unstable joints and delivering slight pressure to “sleeping” muscles, taping can prompt higher performance. Unlike other assistive devices that can lead to dependence on them for stability and support, kinesiology tape trains the body to become independent and efficient.

5-Supported endogenous analgesic system: The tape enables the body’s healing mechanisms to work in the recovery process. (“Endogenous” means “internal,” and “analgesic” means “relieving pain.”)

Areas of the body where kinesiology tape is applied:

  1. Back
  2. Calves
  3. Elbows
  4. Hamstrings
  5. Knees
  6. Shins
  7. Shoulders
  8. Wrists

Conditions treated by kinesiology tape:

  1. Pain and swelling in cervical, shoulder, elbow, wrist, lumbar, hip or groin, knee, and ankle.
  2. Shoulder instability
  3. Shoulder injuries
  4. Tennis elbow
  5. Hamstring and quadriceps strain
  6. Plantar fasciitis
  7. Ankle instability
  8. Turf toe
  9. Tibialis posterior dysfunction
  10. Bunions
  11. Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome
  12. IT Band Friction Syndrome
  13. Achilles Tendonitis

Kinesiology taping should be avoided in certain conditions as it might cause harm to the patient.

  1. Tumors
  2. Infection, cellulitis
  3. Open Wound
  4. DVT
  5. Allergic
  6. Skin problems
  7. Diabetes
  8. Congestive Heart Failure
  9. Fracture

Disclaimer: All contents on this site are for general information and in no circumstances, information be substituted for professional advice from the relevant healthcare professional, Writer does not take responsibility for any damage done by the misuse or use of the information.

References: 

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/kinesiology-tape#takeaway
  2. https://kinesiotaping.com/about/what-is-the-kinesio-taping-method/
  3. https://cbphysiotherapy.in/therapies-offered/kinesio-taping-taping-therapy#:~:text=Conditions%20treated%20by%20Kinesiology%20Tapping.&text=There%20are%20a%20wide%20variety,of%20them%20are%20mentioned%20below%3A&text=Pain%20and%20Swelling%20in%20cervical,or%20groin%2C%20knee%20and%20ankle