Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Understanding Kinesiology Tape

By Jess Mueller


Taping is a common practice in the chiropractic field and there was an Asian chiropractor back in the 1970s that invented something known as kinesiology taping which is basically a taping technique that is non-restrictive. Most of the time, medical professionals rely on elastic bandages to bind people when stability in some areas of the body is needed but the conventional way of binding hinders regular blood flow therefore causing recovery to occur at a slightly slower pace. Muscles and joints can be stabilized with the help of kinesiology tape and the great thing about this is that nothing is constricted in the process of reducing pain and inflammation.

The creation of the kinesiology taping method depended on how well Dr. Kase understood the links between muscles, skin, and the body. The thing about muscles is that they are responsible for proper circulation not to mention neuromuscular transmission aside from bodily movements and this is why they are important when it comes to the entire healing process. Medical symptoms involving the muscles present themselves when the muscle loses its elasticity due to injuries and the like as these prevents them from carrying out their circulatory duties.

Muscle elasticity is a feature that Dr. Kase wanted his tape to have. One of the things that the doctor considered whilst inventing his tape was the skin and how it promulgated healing once information was transmitted by the nerves in the largest organ of the human body. When it comes to the kinesiology tape which resembles human muscles, it has the capacity to work on the skin in such a way that the neurological and circulatory systems are jumpstarted and this is what leads to healing.

The thing about the kinesiology taping technique is that it is garnering attention as one of the best non-drug treatments for muscle inflammation as it reduces swelling and boosts the healing process. From the muscles to the joints to the ligaments to the skin, there are physiological effects that come with this technique. In this case, you are dealing with one of the best modern therapeutic treatments.

When it comes to something like the kinesiology taping technique, it can be used on patients based on the doctor's evaluation. Here is where range of motion testing and manual muscle testing are necessary and there are times when gait assessment is required as well. What you have here is a form of treatment that can be used together with other forms of therapy when necessary.

Apart from being breathable, kinesiology tapes are resistant to water as well because of ingredients like cotton fiber and hypoallergenic acrylic adhesive. When the tape is used, the doctor uses various tensions and patterns in applying the tape. The great thing about this tape is that apart from lasting for several days, the material is also able to facilitate motion.

Kinesiology tapes are used to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions. For people who are suffering from pre- and post-surgical edema and other muscular injuries, this kind of technique can effectively stimulate healing. Aside from reducing pain, this method is also reliable when it comes to something like preventive injury.

When it comes to something like kinesiology taping, neuromuscular functioning is stimulated in such a way that the healing capacities of the body is activated. By stabilizing muscles and joints, swelling is reduced significantly while the athletic performance of a person is enhanced. Some studies show that application of the tape stimulates skin cells and displaces pain pathways, similar to the effect of rubbing a hurting spot for relief.

The thing about kinesiology tape is that it is widely used in sports as it allows players to heal without requiring them to sacrifice any time that should go to their training. Actually, it was during the Beijing Games when kinesiology tapes became highly popular and now all famous athletes are using it all over the world. Doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, coaches and trainers have incorporated kinesiology into their practices to accelerate healing and repair of damaged muscle tissue.

Since the body has the ability to regenerate, kinesiology taping is something that boosts the healing process. Like conventional taping materials, it provides support and stability to muscles but without restricting freedom of movement. The thing about kinesiology tape is that it is only known to provide short term care for those with sore muscles and ligaments but this is really something that you can depend on in times of pain.




About the Author:



No comments: