Kinesiotaping – benefits, contraindications. What is kinesiotaping?

Proven content

Kinesiotaping uses patches, thanks to which a few days ago the player of the Italian national team found himself on the lips of football in Europe not only because of beautifully scored goals, but also something less obvious, i.e. … three blue patches on the back. Was it really a clever marketing trick?

Kinesiotaping – what is it?

If you’ve watched a volleyball match or a bike race, you’ve probably seen this: stripes of colored tape arranged in patterns on the shoulders, knees, back and stomach. This is it, kinesiology tape: a therapy tape that is strategically applied to the body to provide support, reduce pain, reduce swelling, and improve performance.

Kinesiotaping is actually dynamic taping. It involves sticking Kinesio tapes to the body – hence the name kinesiotaping. Kinesio Tape is an elastic tape that supports and stabilizes joints, muscles and ligaments while bending, bending and stretching.

Unlike bulky, flexible bandages, Kinesio tape is not intended to restrict movement or provide rigid support. Kinesio tape shows up to 40 percent flexibility. The tape is usually made of cotton and spandex (elastic synthetic fiber) with a heat-activated acrylic adhesive to hold it in place against the skin. The quality of these raw materials is critical to how well the belt wears and resists plastic deformation.

The adhesive on the tape is acrylic, very durable and waterproof, so the tape can be worn for up to a week. It withstands intense movements, sweat and complete immersion in water. Inferior quality tapes easily detach from the body, are not water resistant and irritate the skin. A good tape contains a better quality glue that is more durable, pleasant to the skin and more resistant to water and sweat.

Also check: Physiotherapy – functions, types. Who Should Use Physiotherapy?

Kinesio taping – history

There are more than 50 brands of kinesiology tapes on the market today, but the original product, Kinesio tape or Kinesio Tex tape, was developed in the late 70s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor who created tapes to support but not restrict movement the way traditional sports tapes do.

Although it was widely used by professional athletes, physiotherapists and coaches alike, it didn’t really gain fame until 2008, when volleyball player Kerri Walsh wore kinesiotaping on her arm and then won a gold medal.

Read also: Manual therapy – what is it and when is it worth reaching for?

Kinesiotaping – benefits

Overall, opinions about the use of kinesiotaping vary, but most are positive. To start with, the science behind kinesiotaping is still being researched, and Dr. Kenzo Kase, the inventor of the method, believes that the stretchy nature of the tape and its wavy pattern contribute to its many health benefits in the first place.

After the tape is stretched and placed over the skin, it retracts slightly, forming small folds that are intended to lift and separate the skin from the deep tissue (skin). This kinesiotaping effect is believed to eliminate pressure on pain receptors, blood and lymph vessels, allowing them to open. It is also believed to improve blood flow and lymph fluid movement, and also reduce pressure on pain receptors in deeper tissues. As a result, there is a reduction in the perception of pain when adjusting joints and tissues to the desired position.

Some studies report the benefits of kinesiotaping, others refute any positive positive effect. It is clear that more research is needed to truly define the role of kinesiotaping in patient rehabilitation.

It should be noted that kinesiotaping is not a standalone treatment for sports injuries and should not be used as the sole treatment for injuries. However, when combined with physical therapy and exercise, kinesiotaping can be beneficial.

So, overall, kinesiotaping can be used to support circulation / lymphatic flow, improve muscle function, reduce pain, and improve joint function. Due to the fact that the kinesiology tape is flexible, it provides a full range of motion and is less restrictive compared to the prophylactic sports tape.

Kinesiotaping can also be used as a rehabilitation tool for:

1. pain relief,
2. reduce inflammation,
3. relaxation of tense muscles and joints,
4. stabilization of joints.

However, it should be remembered that the tape intended for kinesiotaping:

1. does not contain any drugs, 
2. different colors are only cosmetic, all colors of the tape have the same flexibility,
3. the tape is not a substitute for sensible treatment of an injury and thorough rehabilitation.

Do you want to start your adventure with kinesiotaping? Order the Cure Tape Kinesiotaping Starter Kit, which is available at a promotional price on Medonet Market. In it you will find:

1. Kinesiotaping tape Cure Tape CLASSIC 5cm x 5m, beige, 
2. Cure Tape Soft Touching scissors, 
3. FASCIQ® Pre-Tape Spray kinesiology adhesive, 200 ml capacity, 
4. Cure Tape Pre-Taping Spray with a capacity of 200 ml. 

Kinesiotaping – contraindications

Kinesiotaping, despite its potential benefits and overall safety, should not be used in certain situations:

1. open wounds – the use of kinesiotaping on open wounds can lead to infection or damage to the skin,
2. active cancer – increasing the blood supply to the cancerous tumor can be quite dangerous,
3. allergy – if your skin is sensitive to adhesives, you can cause a severe allergic reaction,
4. removal of lymph nodes,
5. diabetes,
6. delicate skin. 

Kinesiotaping – how to remove the tape?

Removing the tape from the skin is not always a comfortable experience. Here are some tips to minimize discomfort:

1. Pull the tape back in the direction your hair grows to eliminate the “waxing” effect of the tape. The general rule is to peel the end of the tape from top to bottom.
2. pull slowly instead of tearing the tape off at once
3. place your finger on the skin surface to hold the skin while removing the tape.