KINESIOTAPING

1. KINESIOTAPING By: Kristin Levin AT, ATC, CKTP, PES

2. Objectives • Identify what Kinesio tape is and what it is used for • Indications and contraindications of the tape. • The theory behind muscle tapings and lymphatic tapings. • Corrective Taping Techniques. • Applications and removal of the tape.

3. Kinesio tape was developed in the early 1980s by Dr. KenzoKase. • Depending on how you apply the kinesiotape it can work in different ways. • It mimics the qualities of human skin. Being light and as flexible as the skin. This is to avoid the bodies perception of weight and avoids sensory stimuli. • Kinesiotape works by subcutaneously lifting the skin. • Enhances muscular, joint and circulatory function by facilitating a muscle, inhibiting a muscle, working with the lymph system to help with edema. • Can be used in all phases of an injury acute, subacute and rehabilitative.

4. General rules • The tape can be worn 24 hours a day and left on for 3-5 days. • You want to make sure the skin is free from lotion and oils for the tape to adhere properly. • Can shower and ice over the area. • Towel dry. DO NOT USE A HAIR BLOWER to the tape. • Moist heat is ok but dry heat is not. • Pull the tape off gently, do not yank like a band- aid.

5. The Tape • Non latex. 100% cotton with an acrylic heat activated adhesive. • No medications • Water resistant • Has a stretch in the longitudinal direction only. • Has about a 10-15 % stretch on the paper. • Can stretch to 40-60% of its resting length • The thickness and the weight are similar to the skin. • Does not restrict ROM. • There is no difference with the different color tapes. • New FP tape •Higher grade cotton with increased breathability • •Lighter weight with a new weave process for improved comfort • •Brings nano-touch micro-stimulation to epidermis and layers beneath; improved grip and lift •Kinesio FP Tape is more forgiving to initial application errors; easier to re-position

6. Precautions • Diabetes • Kidney disease • Congestive heart failure • CAD or Bruits in the carotid artery • Fragile or healing skin ( milk of magnesia in elderly can be benificial) • May need MD clearance to tape if these conditions are present

7. Contraindications • Over an active malignancy site • Over active cellulitis or skin infection • Open wounds • Deep vein thrombosis

8. Practice tearing the paper and seeing the elasticity of the tape. Also note the differences between the two tapes.

9. Physiological effects • Skin • Circulatory/ Lymph system • Fascia • Muscle • Joint

10. Skin • The body is made up of 3 layers: the endodoerm, mesoderm and the ectoderm. Because all three layers are interconnected, Kinesiotape can treat the entire body from the outside in. • Kinesiotape effects the sensors of the skin through its application process. Through the manipulation of these sensors the kinesiotape can change the healing processes of the body. • Kinesiotape can reduce pain by alleviating pressure on the neural and sensory receptors and reduce swelling by increasing fluid movement.

12. Circulatory/ Lymphatic System • Kinesiotape can speed lymphatic drainage and flow by increasing the amount of space beneath the skin, creating a more efficient exchange of lymph and bodily fluids between different tissues. • Reduces edema • Equalizes temperature • The tape lifting the skin causes convolutions which creates a channel of low pressure in the congested areas. • Decreases pain

14. Fascia • Fascia is fibrous and a connective tissue. • With all the layers of fascia connected, by taping the skin it can effect the deepest layer of fascia. • Collagen or fat exists between each layer of skin. If the person is not moving sufficiently the collagen may act as glue and adhere the surfaces together.

15. Muscle • By understanding the science of muscle movement one can better envision the way that kinesiotape will effect the muscles function. • Must evaluate and decided if pain is coming from a muscle weakness or a tightness and tape accordingly. • Kinesiotape can relieve muscle pain, increase ROM, normalize length/tension ratios to create optimal force, assist with tissue recovery and reduce fatigue.

16. Joint • Can improve joint alignment and biomechanics • Facilitate ligament and tendon function • Enhance kinesthetic awareness. • Correct muscle imbalance

17. Getting ready to tape • Different tape cuts for different body parts and applications • I strip • Y stip • X cut • Fan cut Round edges of tape, except ends of fan cut.

18. Cont.. • Want to measure and tape to the length of muscle (where possible). • There are two ways to remove the paper backing the roll method and the tear method. • Decide whether you want to facilitate or inhibit a muscle • Facilitation- Improves muscle contraction of a weakened muscle • Inhibition- Relaxes an over contracted muscle. Keep in mind the length tension curve, too much overlap of the actin and myosin or too little overlap reduces tension • Tape for the pain and the cause of the pain.

19. Taping • Kinesiotape is generally applied to stretched tissue. • Less is more • No tension on the anchors.

20. “Paper off tension” – Tape is applied with the 10-15% tension off the paper. • Tension greater than 50% are used for corrective techniques only. • Facilitation -P to D (O to I) applied with 15-35% tension • Inhibition- D to P (I to O) applied with 15 to 25% tension • Therapeutic direction is the recoil of the tape towards the anchor. • Therapeutic zone is the targeted tissue.

21. After application, lightly rub the tape to activate the heat activated adhesive. • Tape stays best if adhered 30-40 min prior to workout or swim • If excessively hairy may need to trim or shave area

22. Tape removal • Remove tape in the direction of the hair growth • Pull the skin back from the tape • Tape can be removed while bathing. • Soap, lotion or oil can also be applied to help remove the tape.

23. If the tape is itching or increasing pain have athlete remove tape. • If sensitive to tape try a test patch first on hand. • Do not put tape on nape of hair, through axilla or groin. • Avoid trigger points in pregnant females. • Never use the tape to pull body part into position. • Taping possibilities are endless!

24. Applications

25. Quadriceps Femoris Application • Originates AIIS and inserts into the tibial tuberosity • Starting position- hip extension and knee flexion • Measure and cut a Y strip • Apply 15-35% tension P to D • Adhere anchor to AIIS or belly of quadriceps muscle • Apply tension through therapeutic zone to the musculotendinous junction • Split the tails around the patella and end without any tension at tibial tuberosity. • This was done to facilitate the quadriceps.

26. Deltoid • Originates clavicle/spine of scapula and inserts into deltoid tubricle. • Measure and cut a Y strip. • Anchor tape at deltoid tubricle, HorizAbd for one tail and Horiz ADD for other tail. Anchor at clavicle/spine of scapula • Apply 15-25% tension through therapeutic zone • Taping Distal to Proximal = inhibition

27. Lymphatic application • The goal is to guide the inflammation to a lymph node to be removed through superficial lymphatic pathways… if an area is congested or overwhelmed may not get desired results. • Anchor proximally (no tension) • Apply 10-15% tension on tails over the effected area • Ending with no tension • Repeat with second fan so that they cross

28. Corrective Techniques • Mechanical correction- it is a positional hold with 50-75% tension with inward downward pressure • Fascia correction- oscillating tissue( side to side or long to short) with 15-35% tension • Space correction- lifting technique with 25-50% tension. • Ligament/tendon correction- Proprioceptive, decreases stress on a ligament or tendon. 50-75% tension on a tendon to stimulate golgi tendon receptors for support, and 75-100% on a ligament for joint protection.

29. Fascia Correction – IT band • First we will inhibit the IT band with an I strip placed just below gerdys tubercle, apply 15-25% tension ending TFL or AIC. • Identify tight or painful zone. Next we cut a Y strip and anchor base near target zone with the tails perform long to short or side to side with about 15-35% tension with targeted tissue in the middle. • Base more specific area, tails a larger area.

30. Space Correction- Shin • Cut 2-4 strips for the size of the targeted tissue. • Place over the effected area with 25-50% tension • Creating a star shape. • The tape has an additive effect so the more strips you use the less tension each should have.

31. Ligament/ Tendon Correction • MCL- have athlete standing with slight bend in knee anchor near tibial tuberosity, no tension until over MCL then place 75-100% tension over MCL and no tension the rest of the way. • Achilles tendon- Anchor at plantar surface of calcaneus. Place 50-75% tension over Achilles tendon. If continuing into muscular part of gastroc use appropriate tension.

32. References • Kase, Kenzo, Jim Wallis and Tsuyoshi Kase. Clinical Therapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method. 2nd edition. Ken Ikai Co Ltd.,2003 • Kase,Kenzo. KT1/KT2 workbook. Kinesio taping Association.,2008