Kenesio Tape
Kinesio Tape was designed as an elastic tape to mimic the therapist’s hands in-between patient visits. The tape was first presented by Dr Kenzo Kase in the 1970s. Since then it became the modality used in pain management, soft tissue injury, tissues and joints malalignment, swelling amongst others. Kinesio Tape contains either 100% cotton and elastic fibres or it can be a blend of polyester and cotton with elastic fibres.
Kinesio Taping theory is based on its effects upon the nervous system and the effect of mechanical stimuli on various systems in the body.
In 2008 Kinesio Tape was donated to 58 countries for use during the Olympic games. Its brightly coloured strips could be seen on a host of high profile athletes and since then its use in professional sport has become routine.
One of the primary cited benefits of kinesio tape are to improve the local flow of lymph & inflammatory excaudate. I can personally attest to its effectiveness in this aspect see the picture below of my ankle where the tape has been applied the bruising has reduced significantly faster than where it was not applied.
While the evidence for its benefits in scientific literature is controversial the treatment modality is in widespread use and there are few if any side effects other than some skin irritation occasionally. At the Physiotherapy Rooms LTD we use it mainly for postural education to facilitate an individual’s position. We also use it to offload tendons such as the Achilles and for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and as an adjunct to reduce swelling and bruising as seen in the picture of Mike’s ankle following an ankle sprain.
In our experience clinically we’ve found Kinesiotaping highly effective. We’ve had patients describe it as ‘miracle tape’ after a host of other treatments proved ineffective with the tape immediately reducing their pain