How does Kinesiology Tape work?
Kinesiotaping turns down the volume on pain. More specifically, it runs interference on pain. Ever whack your shin and rub it, and suddenly realize you feel better? Kinesiology tape on the skin can interfere with painful signals which are directed to the brain. When the signals arriving to the brain are altered, it does not produce the sensation of pain. When kinesiology tape is properly applied, many of our customers call it “magic” or think that it fixed their injury instantly. In fact, it helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down the pain “volume” that your body hears. Kinesiology tape does so by affecting the nerve endings and different types of receptors in the skin of the injured area.
Kinesiotaping decompresses an area of swelling and inflammation. When kinesiology tape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows for greater blood flow to and from an area, all while allowing the by-products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.
It does so by allowing congested or compressed blood vessels (capillaries, lymph vessels, arteries, and veins) to flow more freely. It also creates more room in between layers of fascia, muscle, fat, skin, and other structures.
Kinesiotaping delays fatigue. Research has shown that kinesiology tape on skin can attenuate muscle fatigue. In rehab, this is very important, not only for the parts of your body that are currently hurting, but also for the surrounding areas as they help to pick up the slack for muscles that are currently not working well.
Kinesiotaping normalizes muscle tone. When someone is injured, fatigued, sick, or inflamed, the symphony of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. RockTape helps bring dormant muscle back to life and help calm down the overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren’t hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.
Kinesiotaping spreads physical stress. Unlike conventional taping which is meant to prevent any movement at all, kinesiology tape is meant to allow full movement of the taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, kinesiology tape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.
What kind of Kinesiology Tape do we recommend?
In our office, we like RockTape. We also sell RockTape in our office and can show you how to use it to specifically address your areas of concern.
Will Kinesiotaping help you?
Chiropractors at Astra Performance Health use Kinesiology Tape to treat athletes before and after workouts and events all over the Kansas City metro area. We regularly set up our event booth to help athletes at 5 and 10k runs, marathons, triathalons, CrossFit events, and other Kansas City-area events. This safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment can help you perform at your best. Contact us online or call us at (913) 345-4840. We are currently accepting new patients.