Should you add Kinesiotape into your treatment regime?
Kinesiotape is so much more than a sticky bandage.
Research continues to show what physical therapists have been seeing clinically. Kinesiotape improves healing time. At Body Harmony Physical Therapy, we use kinesiotape as an adjunct to treatment, to help reduce pain and improve healing time for our patients for many conditions including myofascial pain syndrome, muscle or tendon injury, diastasis recti, knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain, etc.
Benefits of Kinesiotape
- Improve range of motion
- Decrease pain
- Improve proprioception
- Decrease swelling and inflammation
- Improve circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Improve posture
- Drug free
- Non invasive (no needles, injections)
How does it work?
Kinesiotape is a dynamic therapeutic aid that supports injured muscles and joints without restricting movement. Applied strategically by our trained therapists, kinesiotape lifts the skin, promoting better circulation and lymphatic drainage. This helps reduce swelling and accelerates the healing process, crucial for athletes and active individuals looking to get back to their peak performance quickly.
Kinesiotape and Poor Posture
Research has shown improved sensory awareness of the muscle and joint area that the kinesiotape is applied to. This leads to improved awareness of movement and posture. For example, many of us hold our bodies in a forward rounded shoulder or in a knee hyperextension position that can lead to joint dysfunction and chronic pain. Patients with these habitual postures benefit from the sensory input to remind them to avoid further joint and muscle dysfunction. This is also the case for those recovering from injury or surgery. Kinesiotape can help to support weaker muscles and joints, facilitating rehabilitation exercises and recovery.
Kinesiotape and Trigger Points
Trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome can cause debilitating chronic pain leading to muscle weakness and restricted movement. Trauma, posture disorders and erognomic issues are all factors in this syndrome which ranges from 30-93% prevalence in the population. Current research has shown that kinesiotape is as effective as dry needling and lidocaine in reducing pain.
How is it applied?
Kinesiotape is applied for a 3-5 day period. It provides short term relief almost immediately and can be applied to almost any area on the body. The tape is hypoallergenic and comes in many different colors including neutral. It can be worn in the shower and during workouts.
At Body Harmony Physical Therapy, we individualize treatment plans to enable patients to achieve their medical goals. Our varied treatment options allows us to find the right combination of interventions that work for each individual. Kinesiotape is worth a consideration for muscle and joint conditions. Reach out to us to make an appointment or ask your physical therapist if this can help you during your next visit.
