Kinesiology tape is a therapeutic tape that is thin and stretchy and is designed to promote movement as opposed to immobilizing an injured region of the body. Kinesiology tape is used to help relieve a patient’s pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, provide structural support to joints and muscles, and enhance athletic performance. While it is most often used as a sports tape for injured athletes, it can also be used in the health care settings to address a wide variety of inflammatory conditions or to speed recovery after surgery.
Contraindications for using kinesiology tape?
Kinesiology taping is deferred when the client’s skin is fragile or in the early stages of healing, when the skin has been treated with radiation therapy or if there has been an allergic reaction in the past to the adhesive of the tape. As well, kinesiology tape should not be applied over an open wound, infection or near known cancer regions. Kinesiology tape should also not be applied in an area where there may be a blood clot.
What are the benefits?
- Reduced Inflammation
- Increased Circulation
- Decreased Muscle Cramping & Spasms
- Protects & Restores Injured Tissue
- Fades Bruising
Kinesiology tape can assist in the treatment goals for many conditions that patients suffer from including the following:
- Headaches (tension)
- Whiplash
- Torticollis
- Shoulder Impingement
- Rotator Cuff Tear
- Bicipital Tendonitis
- Tennis/Golfers Elbow
- Trigger Finger
- Shin Splits
- Herniated Disk
- Sciatica
- Low Back Sprain/Strain
- Sacroiliac Sprain/Strain
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Quadriceps Strain
- Toe Cramps
- Sprained Ankle
- Meniscus Tear (minor)
- Osteoarthritis of Knee
- Calf Cramps
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Bunions
- Post Operative/Traumatic
- Edema
- Hamstring Strain
- Pregnancy Related Lower Back Pain
If you are looking for someone with massage therapy expertise, who also knows the ins and outs of chronic pain relief…look no further! I’m Ellie Dukes, Licensed Massage Therapist-specializing in prenatal and oncology massage therapy for 15 years. Visit me at Trinity Massage Haven located in Chestnut Hill PA