Kinesio Tape Keeps Athletes on the Playing Field
By Darren Macfarlane, Sports Injury & Rehabilitation Specialist, Certified in Clinical Kinesiology Taping
Every wondered what the strange bright pink coloured tape you have seen on sports Athletes is, well this is Kinesio tape. Kinesio tape has been used by athletes from Lance Armstrong to David Beckham.
Kinesio Tape exploded into popularity and public eye when 50,000 rolls were donated to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and athletes wearing the bright pink, blue or black tape were on shown on TV. Since then is it being used by Sports Therapist, Physiotherapist, Physical Therapists, and now you more likely to see it on the playing field and running track.
It was developed in the 1970s in Japan by Dr Kenzo Kase who was looking for a tape that would heal injured tissue. He found that traditional taping methods provided muscle and joint support but reduced the range of motion, compressed fascia, and restricted movement of fluid thereby inhibiting the healing process. Through his clinical experience he found that joint pain resulted from abnormality of muscles and myo-fascial tissues around the joint rather than the joint itself. With this understanding he developed Kinesio Taping to correct abnormalities of muscles and myo-fascial tissues. The popularity of Kinesio tape is due to its elastic and non-restrictive nature.
There are specific techniques to apply the tape that allows the tape be used for multiple purposes. Its uses include:
· Pain relief
· Relax tight muscles
· Speed up the removal of swelling and bruising
· Normalise muscle function
· To correct the misalignment of joints and tissues
· Providing sensory feedback for postural awareness and alignment
How does the Kinesio Taping method work?
When a muscle is inflamed, swollen, or stiff, the space between the skin and muscle is compressed, which restricts the flow of lymphatic fluid. This compression applies pressure to the pain receptors beneath the skin, which in turn relays signals of discomfort to the brain resulting in the sensation of pain.
The tape works by lifting the skin, and it is this increased space between the skin and muscle helps reduce pain by taking pressure off pain receptors. This also helps reduce swelling, increase circulation Pain relief is often instant.
The tape is applied by your therapist directly over the muscle when the muscle is stretched and then returning the muscle to a neutral position, the tape forms wrinkles in the skin.
When the tape is applied, athletes will often be able to notice a difference between a taped muscle on one side and the non-taped muscle on the other side. They often report a feeling of lightness. Because the tape is flexible and applied while the muscle is stretched to its end range it does not affect flexibility or range of movement and can be worn during sporting activities. It is breathable, and can be worn for 4-5 days without coming off in the shower or due to sweat.
There is no difference in the different coloured tapes. As well as pink, blue and black, the tape also comes in beige. At present there aren’t many clinical studies into the effectiveness of Kinesio tape and we don’t entirely know at this time why the kinesiology taping techniques are so effective.
From my own experience in the clinic I think it is great tool to help athletes rehabilitate quicker.
- If you have a muscle that is niggling when training or racing and you want to support it so you can keep on going.
- If you have an injury with swelling or bruising, taping will clear this quicker than non-taping as it will lift the skin and encourage its removal 24hrs a day. This would be important where the swelling or bruising is restricting your range of movement, or causing you pain affecting training, racing or your daily life
- If you have an issue with a joint, for example the kneecap is not tracking correctly in its groove, Kinesio tape applied for the duration of a training session or race may give some pain relief.
Like with all things, the Kinesio tape is not a magic formula and has best effects when combined with a treatment and rehabilitation program.
Contact me at our Galway Clinic for treatment & Kineiso tape application on 086 1957378.
