Many of you have been watching the Olympics. If you’ve been watching beach volleyball, you’ve no doubt spotted the peculiar black tape all over the shoulder of one of the American women. This taping method which was developed by a chiropractor, called Kinesiotaping, is very popular amongst trainers and chiropractors especially when working with elite athletes. I’ve been using Kinesiotape in my office for about 6 months now with great results.
From the Kinesiotaping website:
The Kinesio Taping® Method has taken the Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine world by storm. This amazing taping method was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase over 25 years ago in Japan. Kinesio Taping® has quickly become the gold, or should we say “platinum” standard, for therapeutic rehabilitative taping. The proprietary method of taping uses a uniquely designed and patented tape for treatment of muscular disorders and lymphedema reduction.
The Kinesio Taping® Method involves taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion. This enables the individual to participate in their normal physical activity with functional assistance. The second technique, which is most commonly used in the acute stage of rehabilitation, helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow for an entire 24 hour period.
On a personal note, I have been using Kinesiotape for my knee sprain. When the tape is not applied, I have alot of pain walking, standing for long periods of time, and going from a sitting to a standing position. As soon as the tape is applied over the inside surface of my knee, I get instant relief from pain which enables me to strengthen and heal the injury quicker.
I have used this method on various injuries in my office. Just yesterday, the tape was used to reduce the inflammation of biceps tendonitis, pregnancy-related pelvic pain and shin splints. If you have any questions about how Kinesiotape can help you, feel free to contact your Comox Valley Chiropractor.