What Is Kinesio Taping?
Kinesiology Tape is a stretchy therapy tape, which is designed to provide a number of potential benefits. First of all, the main difference between this type of tape and traditional white athletic tape (the kind that is used to tape ankles and hockey sticks) is that white trainers tape is rigid and kinesiology tape is stretchy. This is important because it often provides the feeling of support, but does not restrict movement. Depending on the direction of application, it is also theorized that we can potentially turn up or turn down muscle activity and/or inhibition.
How Is Kinesio Taping Used?
Specifically designed to provide a number of potential benefits.
I remember it like it was yesterday… The year was 2008, and Misty May and Kerri Walsh were absolutely destroying the field in beach volleyball in the Beijing Olympics. They were wearing this strange tape on their bodies, which very few people had seen before. That tape was kinesiology tape or therapeutic tape and its popularity skyrocketed after being highly covered (no pun intended) during those 2008 Olympic games. It is now seen on athletes of all sports, all levels, and even on horses!What Are The Benefits Of Kinesio Taping?
We can argue over the scientific literature, and how efficacious these products are, but it is ultimately a low-cost, low-risk, high-reward proposition for certain conditions. It is just another tool in the therapists toolbox to potentially help a patient improve their pain and achieve their goals.
