Kinesio-Taping

Kinesio-taping can be used as part of an injury and pain management programme or used as part of a lymphoedema programme.

Kinesio-taping is effective in the restoration and normalisation of damaged muscles caused by overuse or injury. With overuse, muscles often are subjected to overload injury and inflammation. Kinesio-taping is effective for providing support to the injured muscle and assisting in the conditioning of decreased weakened muscle.

The space between the skin and muscle is often decreased as a result of the congestion of the flow of lymphatic fluid and blood. This congestion increases to the activity of the pain receptors located in the dermis. Kinesio-taping increases the space between the skin and muscles to promote the flow of lymphatic fluid and blood.

Kinesio-taping is also effective in decreasing pain. The primary mechanism for pain-relief is through decreased pain receptor activation with the increased subcutaneous space.

Joint mal-alignment is caused by strength and flexibility imbalances across the joint. Musculoskeletal injury exacerbates these mal-alignments and abnormal joint forces. Kinesio-taping may provide the correct proprioceptive input to aid in restoring normal joint forces.

The effects of kinesio-taping are as follows:

• Normalise muscle function.
• Improve lymphatic and blood flow.
• Decrease pain.
• Correct joint alignment and improve proprioception.