Kinesiology Taping

Have you ever wondered about the brightly coloured tape you sometimes see famous athletes wearing? It’s called kinesiology tape and can benefit a wide range of:

  • musculoskeletal conditions
  • sports injuries and
  • inflammatory conditions.

 

Almost anyone of any age can use kinesiology tape.  It isn’t an osteopathic treatment but can provide effective relief from both acute and chronic pain and can also be used for preventative measures, making it a valuable addition to enhance your overall treatment plan.

 

Common reasons to use kinesiology tape are, if you:

  • Have back or neck pain
  • Are suffering with a muscle, tendon or joint injury
  • Have arthritis, osteoarthritis or other health conditions
  • Do a lot of repetitive movements, such as in gardening, which result in pain due to inflammation and overuse
  • Are an athlete or do a lot of sport.

What is kinesiology tape and how does it work?

Kinesiology tape is identical to human skin in both thickness and elasticity, which allows it to be worn without restricting movement.

 

It contains no medications or topical substances, so you don’t need to worry about side effects or contraindications and can be safely worn for several days at a time. If you do react unfavourable to the tape, which can happen in the odd rare case, it should be removed immediately.

 

The tape is applied directly to stretched skin, over and around the injured area. It lifts the skin slightly away from underlying tissue, improving blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

Benefits of kinesiology taping

Provides pain relief

The tape’s elasticity lifts the skin slightly which reduces pressure on the sensitive pain receptors under the skin, providing you with both support and pain relief.

 

Reduces swelling and inflammation

As the tape reduces pressure on the lymphatic drainage channels, it enhances removal of fluids and other materials that collect in an injured area. If you have a sports injury, inflammatory condition or are recovering from surgery, kinesiology taping can help with your recovery.

 

Speeds recovery of overused muscles

Overused muscles contain the by-products of exercise, such as lactic acid that result in pain, stiffness and limit the ability to exercise. Using kinesiology tape improves the removal of these by-products giving you a speedier recovery.

 

Allows athletes to remain active even if injured

If applied properly, kinesiology tape can prevent injured muscles either overstretching or over-contraction. As it also gives pain relief and has anti-inflammatory properties, it enables athletes to continue training as their injuries heal.

Get in touch

If you are interested in learning more or would like to book a kinesiology taping session, please get in touch.

 

Everyone’s situation is different, so you will have a complete assessment to understand your own condition and whether kinesiology tape could help.

Tel: 01494 482 615

Tel: 07807 846 215