We have seen Kinesiology Tape hit the Olympic stage and other big sporting events throughout the years. But why? What’s so great about it? and does it actually work?
WHAT IS KINESIOLOGY TAPE?
Kinesiology tape is typically made with cotton to not necessarily restrict or fully support the area but to add some compression and strength. It essentially helps your brain connect better to the area of concern (proprioception) by lifting the skin up just a little bit to promote blood flow. Not only does it help with body awareness but it can help decrease swelling.
HOW DOES KINESIOLOGY TAPE WORK?
A practitioner simply takes a piece of tape, rounds out the edges (so it is more difficult for it to come off) and places it onto the area of concern. The point of the cotton is to stay intact as much as possible so when applied the tape will not be stretched out too much. This then causes the small lift of the skin promoting blood flow (as mentioned above) and activates the different inputs in your muscles, tendons, and joints to increase stability and support through proprioceptions and is known to inhibit pain receptors to the area.
In theory, you can simply smack any type of tape on someone’s body and it will have similar effects but the cotton is typically more comfortable and efficient.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ATHLETIC TAPE AND KINESIOLOGY TAPE?
The hype around Kinesiology Tape is just recent on the Olympic stage but the use of Athletic Tape has been seen in sports and injuries since forever, but what’s the difference between the two?
Kinesiology tape is usually used more for light gentle support to still allow for movement of the joint or injury rather than the intense support and restriction that Athletic Tape typically provides. Athletic tape is usually used for injuries where you may need to go back out onto the field and play right away and just need something to support and brace it, while Kinesiology Tape is usually used in a non-emergency clinical setting to help with rehabilitation and pain management.
If Kinesiology Tape right for you? Ask us and we would love to help!
