Kinesio Tape – It works, But How?

There probably isn’t a runner or weekend warrior on the planet that hasn’t suffered from some kind of injury. Be it from pushing too hard, focusing on too many athletic goals, or not wearing suitable footwear. Sometimes, it can be a difficult decision whether to take time away from the activity in order to recover or keep training and deal with the pain. Luckily, not all pain has to sideline you. Solutions are available, and it this case, the solution takes the form of Kinesio tape. But what is Kinesio tape and how does it really work?

Prevention Better Than Cure

Of course, it would be preferable if athletes didn’t get injured at all. There are measures that can be taken to aid with this. These include simple things like not over-exerting on any particular run or exercise. Increasing the mileage of your runs slowly and varying the difficulty on a day to day basis also helps. Another thing to keep an eye on is your equipment. In a runner’s case, it’s the shoe.

Taking precautions, however, will not stop every runner or even any runner from getting an injury. There are going to be times when you need some additional help, and Kinesio tape will hit the spot. It is perfect for dealing with repetitive movement and stresses on the joints and tendons.

What Is Kinesio Tape?

Developed in 1979 by Doctor Kenzo Kase, Kinesio tape is an elastic adhesive tape that relieves discomfort and aids lymphatic drainage by microscopically raising the skin. This lifting affect then forms convolutions within the skin improving interstitial space and lowering inflammation. It also reduces pressure while enabling a better flow of lymphatic fluid in and out of the affected area.

Constructed from a 100% gentle cotton fiber medical grade acrylic adhesive that is latex free, hypoallergenic and water-resistant, Kinesio tape does not limit your range of motion and can be worn for multiple days. The tension on this tape has the ability to both relax and stimulate muscles. It is suitable for elite athletes, weekend exercisers, pediatric and geriatric patients alike.

How Does Kinesio Tape Work?

Kinesio tape is applied to the injured individual based upon their needs. The nature and location of the injury will determine length and shape of tape used. Adaptable, Kinesio tape comes in an ‘l’ shape but can be modified to create an ‘x’, ‘y’ or other specifications.

With the ability to then be applied in hundreds of ways Kinesio tape has the capacity to re-teach the neuromuscular system, promote good circulation, reduce swelling, prevent further injury, heal and return the body to homeostasis. It is designed to stretch lengthwise by up to 40-60% of its original length. This means that a piece of ten inches could stretch up to between fourteen to sixteen inches. This replicates the natural stretch capability of skin in areas such as the lower back, knees and cervical regions meaning you can continue with normal mobility through any stage of the rehabilitation process.