Kinesiology Tape is an elastic adhesive tape which is specifically designed to be worn for several hours a day for therapeutic purposes. The tape aids the body's natural healing system by providing support to joints, muscles, and soft tissues without restricting full range of mobility. Kinesiology Tape has a unique two-sided adhesive strip on one side and a sticky strip on the opposite side. To apply the tape, you need to first put it on your skin before sliding it across your body, following instructions on the packaging.
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Kinesiology tape
Kinesiology tapes can provide incredible benefits for athletes who want to strengthen muscles. This tape works by placing stress on muscles and connective tissues. Because it places stress on muscles, the muscles get stronger and their fibers elongate, resulting in more energy and improved performance. Many athletes use kinesiology tape to train and strengthen their muscles because it gives them increased elasticity.
How to apply kinesiology tape to knee
It is important to note that when you are applying elastic tension on your skin, you do not stretch or break the skin. This will leave a small red mark that can be healed with some medical treatment. If you have any questions about how elastic tension can work on your body, you should contact a physician before trying it. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis or other conditions should also avoid applying kinesiology tape to their skin.
Contraindications for using kinesiology tape
There are some contraindications for using kinesiology tape that you should be aware of. It should not be used during the initial phases of treatment for active cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Also, patients with a history of allergic reactions to tape or some other similar products should contact their doctor or dermatologist before using this tape to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Another set of Kinesiology taping contraindications is those of nerve injury. Certain contraindications are recommended for those suffering from a debilitating condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD).
In these cases, the patient must not perform activities that activate nerve receptors, such as picking up objects, chewing gum, or doing certain household chores.
Kinesiology tape wrist
Kinesiology tapes may be helpful for patients experiencing numbness, weakness, and muscle spasms caused by these conditions, but patients should be sure to contact their physician if they are in need of therapeutic levels of elasticity. Other conditions that may pose a problem for those using kinesiology tape are diabetes and heart disease.
Kinesiology tape pregnancy
Other contraindications for the tape include pregnancy and other forms of estrogen or hormone therapy. It is also contraindicated for patients using insulin or other types of diuretics to treat high blood pressure or to prevent kidney damage. While denaro recommends its use in the case of low back pain or stenosis, other healthcare professionals advise against its use in the case of hypertension or diabetes. Kinesiology tape can be helpful for patients with such conditions, but they should be sure to contact their physician first.
How to remove kinesiology tape
If you use a Kinesiology Tape to target painful muscles and trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that signal pain, you run the risk of activating those same pain receptors when you're not wearing the tape.
Kinesiology tapes do not contain medications that can break down or dissolve adhesions, the sticky material that hold muscles in place. In the case of adhesions, it is not enough to apply heat to break them down: You have to remove the adhesive to get to the "free" parts.
For this reason, it is especially dangerous to use a Kinesiology Tape on areas that frequent friction and make contact with the skin, such as the hands, wrists, and buttocks. Physical therapists who specialize in treating back pain should also avoid using this therapeutic product.
Kinesiology Tape to improve circulation
According to the American Kinesiology Association, the most common reason people seek the use of a Kinesiology Tape is to improve circulation. When a person's lymphatic system is blocked, the person experiences painful symptoms including swelling, pain, and even edema.
On the other hand, using a Kinesiology Tape that promotes improved circulation can alleviate these symptoms. As a result, the patient can experience better overall health, including reduced swelling and pain. Better circulation also helps increase the amount of nutrients carried by the lymphatic fluid, which results in healthier skin, hair, and nails.