Chiropractic Corner
If you watch sports with a keen eye, you may have noticed some athletes with a lot of tape on them. In fact, several years ago, during the Olympics, gold-medalist Kerri Walsh sported a taped shoulder during competition. That tape is kinesiology tape. But more important than knowing what it is, is knowing what it does and how it may be able to help you, even if you aren’t a professional athlete. Kinesiology tape has been popular among athletes for many years, as it supports the joints and muscles, while decreasing pain and not restricting movement. While Olympic, professional and college athletes use it to perform better and prevent further injury, about 85% of kinesiology tape use is non-athletic.
Developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor, kinesio taping is a therapeutic taping method that utilizes a latex-free, elastic tape. Whereas most athletic tape in the past was stiff and used to hold a joint in one position, kinesiology tape is stretchy. While it adds some stabilization to the joint, it also serves as a gentle reminder to your body to hold a certain position, all without restricting movement.
Kinesiology tape has f our main functions.
Correcting muscle function
Kinesiology tape supports muscles during movement and can provide a bit more stamina than the muscle alone.
Improving circulation of blood and lymph
The tape increases the flow of both blood and lymph, which can help in the treatment of lymphedema, mastectomy recovery and swelling, just to name a few.
Correcting joint movement
The tape can be used to keep a joint, such as a knee, gliding and tracking smoothly while in use .
Relieving pain
The pressure and lifting of tape have an analgesic effect to reduce pain.
Because of its many functions, kinesiology tape is designed to be worn during activity. As mentioned previously, it has been used by Olympic medalists, like Walsh, during volleyball matches, as well as during the Tour de France, NFL games and even swimming competitions. Some companies even make tape for horses. What this means for the rest of us is we don’t have to worry about it coming off with day-to-day activities because tape worn during competition is applied in the same way as tape used during everyday activities. Additionally, it can be left on for several days at a time .
Besides joint pain, such as knee, shoulder and elbow pain, there are many more conditions that can be treated, including shin splints, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, lymphedema, pregnancy support, pre/ post-surgical edema and tendo nitis.
Kinesiology tape is a great, non-invasive, affordable treatment that works for a wide variety of conditions.
Dr. Daren Overmiller practices at Childress Specific Chiropractic, 210 Commerce St. To contact Childress Specific Chiropractic, call 940-937-6600.
