One of the easiest ways we can provide relief or support to an area of pain is to apply kinesiology tape! From tight muscles, to strains, to areas with joint pain, and even swollen areas, taping can be an excellent form of relief. But, as with any therapy, kinesiology tape can be a great method to address an issue, however it should support treatment rather than be the primary intervention treatment. Finding the balance and the right time to use tape is important to achieve the optimal results you could gain from application. In this week’s issue, we will cover some of the benefits of kinesiology taping and how they can potentially help you!
Some of the benefits that can result from tape application include but are not limited to: pain relief, inflammation reduction, swelling control, postural correction, injury recovery, workout recovery, circulation improvement, and joint stabilization. With so many potential benefits to taping, it is hard not to use it to assist with chiropractic treatment! As mentioned above, it is important to note that you do not necessarily have to be injured to apply tape to a region. In fact, a great number of athletes apply tape to gain support and stability to an area, which could enhance the athletic performance of the region it is applied to. We already know motion is lotion, so enhancing the ability to move can help your health in the long term!
With injured areas, tape is used to assist in healing time, as it works to reduce swelling and support muscles that might be strained. The tape works to lift and stretch the fascia (tissues that sit below the skin) to allow for better lymphatic drainage and more circulation. The circulation allows for necessary inflammatory agents to act in the healing process, thereby allowing for the potential of a sped-up healing time. It can also act to stabilize important structures that might be more prone to instability. For example, if a patient has a history of repetitive ankle sprains, the tape can assist in stabilizing the structures under the skin to allow more stability. This is important for helping the unstable structure to build strength during a rehabilitation program.
General posture correction is seen to benefit greatly from kinesiology tape application. Our physicians may prescribe tape to be applied in certain areas to serve as a queue to remind you of your back posture. Over time, muscle re-education can help assist in spinal position which would give you an advantage with general body aches and pains, but also prevent several conditions in the future related to chronic pains.
Given the versatility of tape application, it is important to note the patients who should not apply tape. Certain circumstances include: DVT, cancer patients, diabetic patients, areas of recent surgical procedures, skin allergy patients, and patients with lymph conditions. Because of the circulation increase and lymphatic activity, patients with these conditions above should avoid tape application to prevent their condition from worsening or becoming an emergency.
Can tape be applied at home? The short answer is: absolutely, after you consult a healthcare professional. Before applying tape on an area at home, make sure you have consulted with one of our doctors or with your primary care physician to make sure it is a safe option for you. If it is okay to apply, have one of our doctors apply for you at first so you can gain the knowledge of proper application. If you experience any skin rash, it is important to remove the tape slowly to ensure the rash does not worsen. Application frequency and duration varies patient to patient, which can be answered by one of our doctors.
As mentioned, tape can be a great way to address your musculoskeletal system. With benefits impacting areas of general aches and pains to active inflamed regions, taping is a great option to improve functionality of many structures. Before applying, ask one of our doctors if kinesiology taping is a good option for you!
