At the Olympic Games this year, many of the best competitors could be identified by the brilliantly colored tape that was wrapped around their arms, legs, and torsos. Many sportsmen believe that it has positive effects on their health. But is it only a fashion fad or does it offer significant benefits to athletes?
Kinesio tape or Kt tape is one variety of textile and fabric products that is comparable to gauze and bandage in appearance. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor from Japan, is credited with inventing it in the 1970s. On the website for Kinesio tape in the United Kingdom, they make the claim that it may help relieve pain, cut down on inflammation, relax muscles, improve performance, assist with rehabilitation, and support muscles while they are being used in a sports event.
How does kinesiology tape work?
The kinesiology tape is quite elastic in nature.
It was developed using a combination of cotton and nylon that was kept secret. In order for you to make advantage of your complete range of motion, it has been developed to simulate the elasticity of the skin. The adhesive on the tape is of medical quality, so it is resistant to water and is strong enough to keep the tape in place for three to five days, even if you wash or exercise during that time.
As the tape is placed on your body, it will cause a tiny rebound, which will result in a gentle lifting of your skin. It is thought that this helps to generate a very little gap between your skin and the tissues that lay below it.
What are some of the benefits of using kinesiology tape?
Care for wounds and injuries
When treating patients who have sustained injuries, physical therapists will often include kinesiology taping as one component of an overarching therapy strategy. According to research conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association, kinesiology taping is at its most efficient when it is utilized in combination with other forms of treatment like manual therapy. The Reliable Source.
According to Schooley, “we utilize kinesiology taping to alleviate discomfort and swelling,” but “it’s always used as an auxiliary to what we’re trying to accomplish,” he says.
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Supporting weak zones
Kinesiology tape may also be utilized to provide supplemental support to muscles or joints that are in need of such assistance. Kinesiology tape may be of assistance to patients who suffer from conditions such as patellofemoral stress syndrome, IT band friction syndrome, or Achilles tendinitis.
Kinesiology tape, in contrast to white medical tape or sports tape, does not restrict normal movement. In fact, there have been studies that suggest it can improve mobility as well as endurance. Studies conducted on athletes have indicated that performance can be improved by applying kinesiology tape to muscles that are already exhausted.
Conditioning the muscles again
Kinesiology tape can be used as a physical therapy tape to assist in the retraining of muscles that have either lost their function or have become accustomed to working in an unhealthy manner.
Taping used in kinesiology, for instance, can be used to improve a person’s posture in the head and the neck.
Physical therapists hypothesize that this might be due to the fact that the peculiar sensation of tape on the skin can make a person more conscious of how they are standing or moving.
Improving overall performance
When they are competing in special sports events, some athletes use kinesiology taping to assist them in achieving their peak performance and to protect themselves from injury.
According to Schooley, a large number of runners use this tape each time they compete in a marathon. “We sometimes place the tape along the glute as a way of ‘waking up’ the muscle and reminding it to keep working,” the author writes. “The muscle is reminded to keep working.”
Managing scars
In spite of the fact that kinesiology tape should never be applied to an open wound, there is some evidence to suggest that over time, the look of scars left behind by surgery or injury can be improved with the application of kinesiology tape.
It is strongly recommended that you see a medical professional before beginning this course of treatment.
Is there any truth to this claim?
Yes, that is the response for some individuals. However, further study is required because the data that is now available is inconclusive. According to the findings of certain research, kinesiology tape and placebos, sometimes known as “sham taping,” provide results that are identical.
Several research points to slight to moderate improvements. According to the findings of a large number of studies, K tape is at its most effective when it is combined with other traditional forms of therapy.
Final Words
Although there has not been a lot of study done on the efficacy of kinesiology taping, there is some evidence that it can give support, enhance circulation, lessen discomfort, and make your joints and muscles operate better.
You should consult with a physical therapist before using it, since its effectiveness is maximized when it is used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. Even while you’re using it, you should keep in mind that it’s not enough until combined with some other forms of effective remedies. Consult a professional like Heather from Healing Hands Therapy Center to get suggested a combination that’d suit your needs. As an expert occupational therapist, she can help you with her hands-on approach to get started on your journey of healing. Book your session now!
