KINETIC TAPING
Definition & Treatment
what is kinetic taping and when is it applied?
Often joint components do not optimally fit into each other due to anatomical deviations. These can be innate or develop by bad posture during everyday life. A classic example is a luxated or sub-luxated patella (kneecap), which can lead to chondropathy of the patella. In simple words, this means the kneecap slides outside of the usual groove over the thigh bone during movement of the knee. Often the patient experiences pain when climbing steps. Kinetic taping helps leading the kneecap back into the intended path and the stability of the knee is increased noticeably.
Definition & Treatment
what is kinetic taping and when is it applied?
Often joint components do not optimally fit into each other due to anatomical deviations. These can be innate or develop by bad posture during everyday life. A classic example is a luxated or sub-luxated patella (kneecap), which can lead to chondropathy of the patella. In simple words, this means the kneecap slides outside of the usual groove over the thigh bone during movement of the knee. Often the patient experiences pain when climbing steps. Kinetic taping helps leading the kneecap back into the intended path and the stability of the knee is increased noticeably.
Relieving the strain on damaged structures
Damaged structures mostly occur after an accident. For example the often seen clavicular fracture (collarbone) in children. During healing the clavicula often does sit right due to a change in the mechanical movement and pushes too strongly on the scapula (shoulder blade). By applying kinetic tape, the clavicular is positioned correctly to relieve the strain and heal optimally.
Relieving the strain on damaged structures
Damaged structures mostly occur after an accident. For example the often seen clavicular fracture (collarbone) in children. During healing the clavicula often does sit right due to a change in the mechanical movement and pushes too strongly on the scapula (shoulder blade). By applying kinetic tape, the clavicular is positioned correctly to relieve the strain and heal optimally.
Tense muscles
Often athletes require support for the explosiveness of their muscles during a long season. The muscles tend to grow tired over the course of the year and their reactiveness delays during competition. Here we apply the tape along the muscle fiber with tension in our physiotherapy. This way the athlete already has a sensory stimulus for the required movement and the muscle works faster in its intended function. This also avoids injury as not only a powerful kick to a ball is required, but also a stable landing thereafter.
Relief of pressure on the skin to improve lymphatic flow and circulation
After surgery or with certain chronic illnesses, edemas (swelling) are a common affliction limiting quality of life. Besides compressions taping can help influence the edema positively. The swollen area (and if needed the muscle) is taped with tension: The increased pull lifts the tissue surrounding the lymph ducts and the lymph vessels are under less pressure. Like a widened highway the stagnant fluids can drain away.
Tense muscles
Often athletes require support for the explosiveness of their muscles during a long season. The muscles tend to grow tired over the course of the year and their reactiveness delays during competition. Here we apply the tape along the muscle fiber with tension in our physiotherapy. This way the athlete already has a sensory stimulus for the required movement and the muscle works faster in its intended function. This also avoids injury as not only a powerful kick to a ball is required, but also a stable landing thereafter.
Relief of pressure on the skin to improve lymphatic flow and circulation
After surgery or with certain chronic illnesses, edemas (swelling) are a common affliction limiting quality of life. Besides compressions taping can help influence the edema positively. The swollen area (and if needed the muscle) is taped with tension: The increased pull lifts the tissue surrounding the lymph ducts and the lymph vessels are under less pressure. Like a widened highway the stagnant fluids can drain away.
These are only a few examples for the use of kinetic taping. What is important to mention is that this is only an additional option and does not replace therapy – accompanying it can help a lot to heal.
Less than 10% of our patients experience skin irritations after applying a tape. Please make sure to clarify in advance if you have any allergies (patch allergy). Kinetic tapes do not contain any medication, the effect is solely derived from the technique of application and hence only have a mechanical influence.
We strongly recommend not to apply kinetic taping yourself, if you do not have ne required expertise. Manufacturers suggest the simplicity of application, which often leads to ineffective and sometimes counterproductive results.
These are only a few examples for the use of kinetic taping. What is important to mention is that this is only an additional option and does not replace therapy – accompanying it can help a lot to heal.
Less than 10% of our patients experience skin irritations after applying a tape. Please make sure to clarify in advance if you have any allergies (patch allergy). Kinetic tapes do not contain any medication, the effect is solely derived from the technique of application and hence only have a mechanical influence.
We strongly recommend not to apply kinetic taping yourself, if you do not have ne required expertise. Manufacturers suggest the simplicity of application, which often leads to ineffective and sometimes counterproductive results.