![]() “Walking it off” helps reduce the pain of many sports injuries because the movement decreases the sensation of pain. For instance, when you hit a body part against something hard and it hurts, you tend to rub the area and it feels better. This is where the pain-gate theory comes in and it is why people naturally deal with their pain in similar ways. Nociception is the ability to feel pain at the conscious level of the brain which shares pathways in the nervous system with movement and proprioception. Due to this afferent/ efferent response in the skin stimulation created by the tape, it can alter proprioception, muscle contraction timing, and force output, as well as range of motion. As a result, the brain’s response changes to the incoming information which alters the efferent signals received at the taped area. This cascade sends an alteration of the afferent signals returning from the taped area to the brain. ![]() It lifts and creates shearing patterns in the skin and underlying tissues, leading to a neurological effect. Kinesiology taping is also known for the stimulation it provides to a variety of sensory nerves in the skin and underlying tissue. This allows for a decrease in inflammation and swelling at the injury site and aides in the performance and recovery effects. This is due to the principle of fluid dynamics where the skin is lifted by the tape forming convolutions in the skin which increases interstitial space. ![]() Tissue decompression is seen as a mechanical decompression when the tape is applied to the skin which has two primary effects on the body.ġ) Relieves pressure from the free nerve endings in the tissue that is responsible for pain can immediately reduce perceived pain.Ģ) The decompression action of the tape allows better circulation to and from the areas taped. The main effects seen with the use of kinesiology tape are pain modification, decompression, and neurosensory input. Some common injuries kinesiology tape can aide in healing include low back pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome, plantar fasciitis, swelling due to an ankle sprain, tennis elbow, generalized knee and shoulder pain, etc. These benefits can last for several days and can lead to quicker recovery and improved results. It also provides extended soft tissue mobilizations to prolong the benefits of manual therapy that was previously performed in the clinical setting. The tape is helpful for correcting posture and for fluid dynamics to reduce swelling and bruising. Proprioception is the body’s ability to know its spatial awareness, which is enhanced by the tape’s somatosensory abilities. The tape can also be used to correct functional movement patterns by retraining the way the patient is moving through proprioceptive feedback. One of the most common uses is to help relieve pain so that the patient’s movements do not become altered and cause suboptimal movement patterns that can lead to injuries. To get the full benefits from Kinesiotape a thorough soft tissue assessment needs to be performed by a trained medical professional. Kinesiology tape can be used for a variety of injuries with people ranging from elite athletes, weekend warriors, geriatrics, and even pediatric patients. It has been used by physical therapists for over 30 years and has recently gained popularity when elite athletes in the 20 Olympic games were seen utilizing the tape for injuries and performance. It can help to prevent and heal injury, correct movement dysfunctions, decrease pain and inflammation, unload tissue via decompression, and provide a novel stimulus that improves the bodies overall awareness. It is a tool that can be safely used in conjunction with other modalities and treatments performed by a trained medical professional. The tape facilitates the body’s natural healing process while providing support to muscles, soft tissue, and joints without restricting range of motion. Kinesiology tape is an adhesive sports tape that is designed to be wearable for several days.
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