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Kinesiology Taping for Orthopedic Conditions: Summary
skin. This type of taping can be worn for 3-5 days and is waterproof. Kinesiology tape can be used prophylactically to improve joint proprioception, correctively (providing tactile cues), and as part of a rehab program. TREATMENT RATIONALE The mechanism or rationale for kinesiology taping is as follows: • Mechanical Changes : The direction of tape matters ○ Proximal to distal: Tape stimulates muscles ■ Tape recoils when muscle contracts ■ Helps facilitate and/or support a tissue (muscle strain) ○ Distal to proximal: Tape stimulates skin ■ Tape recoils in direction of range of motion (ROM) ■ Inhibits tissue, reduces muscle tension/tone/tightness, improves joint ROM • Neurological Changes : The direction of tape does not matter ○ Tape stimulates the skin (largest sensory organ), which provides sensory information tactile cues to the brain ○ Spacing techniques can help with decompression • Facial Wave: Elastic tape produces recoil ○ Helps move lymphatic fluid and reduce edema ○ Alters muscle firing patterns ○ Improves skin/connective tissue gliding ○ Decompresses nerves and tissues for improved pain
INTRODUCTION HISTORY OF TAPING
Taping started with traditional athletic tape used both prophylactically to help reduce injuries and after injury with the idea of adding support to the ligaments (such as for ankle sprains).
LEARNING TIP! Evidence has shown that athletic taping, however, was only beneficial for about 15-20 minutes and did not provide adequate support but may help to improve proprioception and have psychological effects.
Leukotape/McConnell taping is another type of rigid, cotton tape. It requires a base layer (cover roll) due to its high level of adhesiveness and can be worn up to 18 hours. It is not waterproof, however. This tape was designed for corrective purposes (patellofemoral dysfunction or scapular dyskinesis). This type of taping should be used daily (or when doing activities that typically cause pain). Kinesiology taping is newest type of taping, developed in 1974 with the goal of reinforcing clinical treatments. This is an elastic cotton tape (which does not contain latex) that is applied with some stretch directly to the
Kinesiology Taping Considerations Indications
Precautions
Relative Contraindications • Active malignancy • Active cellulitis • Skin infection • Open wounds • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pain • Muscle/fascial tone • Muscle facilitation • Edema • Improved proprioception
• Fragile or healing skin • Diabetes—avoid upper abdomen • Kidney disease • Congestive heart failure
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