Kinesio Tape® (KTape) was created by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 50 years ago, as a way to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. The tape has elastic properties to allow for flexibility and movement to occur.
How does it work?
The Kinesio Taping® Method is a therapeutic taping technique that improves muscle function, reduces inflammation, provides pain relief and supports joint function.
- Depending on direction of pull/stretch, from origin to insertion (activate) or insertion to origin (inhibit), the application of KTape can help to increase muscle function of a weak muscle or decrease tension of a tight muscle.
- KTape when applied with a stretch, lifts the skin to increase interstitial space. This allows for improved lymphatic and circulatory movement, which will aid in decreasing inflammation.
- The stretch applied with KTape stimulates mechanoreceptors on the skin. This produces sensory feedback to the nervous system. Pain inhibition occurs at the spinal cord level, which decreases perceived pain.
- Joint function support is achieved when proprioceptors in the muscles and joints are stimulated with KTape. This improves awareness of the position and movement of the body. Passive supports surrounding the joint can also improve joint function.
Who can benefit?
There is a wide range of injuries and conditions that can benefit from KTape such as shoulder impingement (picture 1), patellar tendinitis (picture 2), tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, just to name a few.
Shoulder Impingement
Patellar Tendinitis