Kinesio Tape was developed in 1979 by Dr. Kenzio Kase. The tape is latex-free, hypoallergenic, and provides a variety of benefits depending on the method used. More importantly, K-Tape is safe for all populations, athletes, children and geriatric patients!
Kinesio tape works to alleviate pain and discomfort and facilitate circulation of blood and healthy nutrients throughout the body. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the ideal healing environment for injured tissue and to correct movement patterns in order for muscles to work more efficiently.
Are you a candidate for K-Tape? Your physical therapist will first conduct a thorough evaluation. Based on the findings, he or she will decide if and which application technique of K-Tape will be most beneficial for you!
Due to its versatility, Kinesio taping offers a variety of benefits that include:
- Improvement of movement patterns by facilitating or inhibiting the use of certain muscles
- Reduces swelling and edema by promoting increased circulation and increased blood flow
- Provides pain relief by decompressing the injured site
Every muscle in the body has a specific job when it comes to producing movement. When a particular muscle is not performing or doing its job correctly, another muscle is forced to ‘pick up the slack’ causing it to be overworked. It is relatable to having a terrible coworker or classmate for a group project!
K-Tape is used to correct these patterns by facilitating or ‘forcing’ the proper muscle to work and inhibiting or ‘resting’ the muscle that is overworked. Essentially, it is providing guidance to our muscles.
