Have you ever been watching a sporting event and notice weird squiggly tapelines on an athlete’s legs or arms? Or perhaps you remember American volleyball player Kerri Walsh’s infamous shoulder tape from the summer Olympics? Well, that tape is actually referred to as kinesio tape. However, kinesio taping in Denver is not just for athletes – this taping method is also commonly used in chiropractic practices. A chiropractor will commonly use this tape to treat certain injuries in patients.
What is kinesio tape?
Kinesio tape is an adhesive latex tape that is not motion restricting. It can be used on patients of all ages and is hypoallergenic, making it a suitable option for most. Additionally, the tape is water resistant which allows people to use it for a variety of activities. The main reason athletes and active people wear this tape is because it doesn’t inhibit the body’s range of motion making it ideal to combat injury without missing a step.
The tape also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to better adapt to the body’s needs. Since the shape of the tape is flexible, it allows medical professionals the ability to target very specific muscle groups that were previously more difficult to heal and tape up.
How does the kinesio taping method work?
The kinesio taping method is a rehabilitation technique intended to target the muscles and joints. The tape helps to stimulate and relax the muscles or areas it is directly applied to. Due to the severe adhesive properties of the tape it is applied in a way that lifts the skin to help drain lactic acid (a common side effect of lactic acid build-up is cramping). The tape aims to provide support and stability to aid the body in its natural healing process. Kinesio taping also helps with inflammation and increases blood flow to the affected area. For non-athletic related injuries, kinesio taping is also an excellent remedy. The tape helps increase circulation while returning your body to its relaxed homeostasis state.
Why do chiropractors use the kinesio taping method?
Chiropractic care focuses on the spinal cord and surrounding nervous system to improve body function and heal soft tissue, muscular or skeletal ailments. A chiropractor will give your spinal cord adjustments to align all the vertebrae and alleviate any nerve irritation or pain. A chiropractor will also massage and provide physical therapy for muscular or joint pain in a patient’s back or neck. The kinesio taping method can be very beneficial in this regard because the tape enhances the effects of manual therapy. Kinesio tape continues to manipulate the soft tissue and muscles even after you have left the chiropractic office. Because the tape is able to sustain the positive effects of therapy, the body is able to heal itself much quicker.
The kinesio taping method holds your muscles in a relaxed state, which is huge in combating pain. This type of pain management does not have the side effects associated with over-the-counter and prescription medications. The kinesio taping method allows you to heal your body and provides pain relief in a holistic and healthy way.
