Is Kinesiology Tape Just Fancy Athletic Tape?
While kinesiology tape seems a lot like a fancy form of athletic tape, there are many differences between the two. Athletic tape is used for support and to limit motion, and kinesiology tape is used to facilitate motion and inhibit pain and spasm. Kinesiology tape is a flexible material that moves when you move; athletic tape is relatively inflexible. Kinesiology tape helps to improve lymph transport and increase circulation. The tight binding nature of athletic tape serves to decrease circulation.
- There are many different uses for kinesiology tape. Your physical therapist can assess your current situation and injury to decide on the best use of the tape. He or she can also teach you how to cut the basic types of strips to use for your condition. Some common uses of kinesiology tape include:
Facilitation: Kinesiology tape can be used to help improve muscular firing and contraction patterns. This can lead to normalized muscular tone and can also help improve athletic performance.- Inhibition and pain management: Kinesiology tape can be used to help decrease pain and muscle spasm that may occur after injury. It can help decrease nociceptive input to the brain which can help decrease muscle guarding and protective spasm.
- Support and stability: If you have a condition that requires a specific joint to be held in place, kinesiology taping may be right for you. Conditions like patellofemoral stress syndrome, iliotibial band friction syndrome, or shoulder instability may benefit from extra support provided by kinesiology tape. The tape can support your joint while still allowing for some motion to occur.
- Swelling management: If you have suffered an injury or have had surgery that results in increased swelling, kinesiology tape may help to decrease the swelling by decreasing pressure between the skin and underlying tissues. This provides a pathway for excess fluids that have accumulated since your injury to travel through. Kinesiology tape is sometimes used in lymphedema management or for superficial contusions.
- Scar tissue management: After surgery or trauma, you may have a scar over the area that was injured. Sometimes the tissue underneath the scar binds to your skin and underlying fascia. This scar tissue can limit your normal mobility and range of motion. Kinesiology tape can be used to gently pull on scar tissue, providing a low intensity, long duration stretch to the tight collagen that makes up scar tissue.
Features :
- Latex-free, hypoallergenic, cotton and fibrous tape.
- 30-40% of the length of the stretch share.
- Contains no drugs or chemicals.
- Almost the same thickness and weight as the body skin.
- It won't stop you from getting dressed.
- Can be used conveniently in pool and shower, water resistant.
- It treats injuries that occur during sports and novelties in general.
- Accelerates blood circulation and healing process.
- Provides additional strength to joints and muscles.
- Prevents injuries and fatigue.
- Increases novelization.
