The Effects Of Additional Kinesio Taping Over Exercise

K- TAPING

The Effects Of Additional Kinesio Taping Over Exercise

INTRODUCTION

Taping is now recognized as a skill that is essential for all those involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries. It is widely used not only for sports injuries but also for many other conditions such as muscle imbalance, unstable joints, and impaired neural control. During treatment and rehabilitation, taping aids the healing process by supporting and protecting the injured structures from

further injury or stress, thus reducing the need for prolonged treatment and time off work.

NOTE: The water-resistant and breathing properties of the K-Tape allow long wearability and a high level of comfort. 

ROLE OF TAPING

Initially, the tape is applied to protect the injured structure during the treatment and rehabilitation program:

• to hold dressings and pads in place

• to compress recent injury, thus reducing bleeding and swelling

• to protect from further injury by supporting ligaments, tendons, and muscles

• to limit unwanted joint movement

• to allow optimal healing without stressing the injured structures

• to protect and support the injured structure in a functional position during the exercise,                strengthening, and proprioceptive program. It must be clearly understood that taping is not a                    substitute for treatment and rehabilitation but as an adjunct to the total injury-care program

SELECTION OF KINESIO STRIP TAPE 

K-Tape can be applied in the shape of "Y", "I", "X", "FAN", "WEB", "DONUT".

The shape selection depends upon the size of the affected muscle and desired treatment. 

The "Y" technique is the most common method of application. It is used for surrounding a muscle to either facilitate or" inhibit muscle stimuli. The basic principle of therapeutic taping for weakened muscles is to wrap the tape around the affected muscle. This is accomplished by using the "Y" strip. The "Y" strip should be approximately two inches longer than the muscle, measured from Origin to Insertion. 

The "I" strip can be used in place of the "Y" strip for an acutely injured muscle. The primary purpose 

of tape application following acute injury is to limit edema and pain. 

The "X" strip is used when a muscle's Origin and  Insertion may change depending upon the movement pattern of the joint (e.g.: Rhomboid).  The "Fan" strip is used for lymphatic drainage which is an advanced concept. 

The "Web" is a modified fan cut. Both base ends are left intact, with the strips being cut in the midsection of the Kinesio strip. 

The" Donut" cut is primarily used for edema in a  focal or sport specific area. A series of two or three overlapping strips are applied with the center removed from the Kinesio Tape. The center cut out, or  "donut hole" is placed directly over the area to be treated.

TAPE STRETCH / TENSION

The target muscle should be elongated before stretch. KT requires none to partial stretch to be applied on tape. 

Full - 100%

Severe - 75%

Moderate - 50%

Light - 15-25%

None - 0%

For percentage, stretch refer to the percentage of the available stretch.

Facilitate: proximal to distal (15-50% tension)

Inhibit: distal to proximal (15-25%) 

TAPE DIRECTION

Origin to insertion:

• Used to facilitate weak or under performing muscles
• Light to moderate stretch required

Insertion to origin:

• Used to inhibit overused or stretched muscles
• Light stretch used to achieve the goal

CORRECTIVE APPLICATION TECHNIQUES

A. Mechanical correction "Recoiling"

Stretching qualities of Kinesio tape with inward pressure provide for the positional stimuli through the skin.

Techniques used:

1. using the base of the Y to provide tension 
2. using the tension in the center if I strip 
3. using the tails of Y to provide tension 

B. Fascia correction "Holding"

 

To create or gather fascia to align the tissue in the desired position.

Techniques used:

1. manually positioning fascia then using tape to hold in a place 
2. creating tension by oscillating the tape and creating the movement of fascia. 

C. Space correction " Lifting"

to create more space directly above the area of pain, inflammation, swelling or edema

Techniques used:

1. manually gather tissue into the desired position and use K-tape to hold the position of the tissue 
2. utilize fascia technique of oscillation 
3. use elastic qualities of K-tape to pull and hold connective tissue in the desired area 

D. Ligament / tendon correction "pressure"

to create increased stimulation over the area of the ligament /tendon

Techniques used:

1. ligament technique- tape is placed over the ligament with moderate to severe or 50-75%of available tension 
2. tendon technique- tape over the tendon is applied with moderate to severe with the same tension as in the ligament technique  

E. Functional correction "spring"

used when the practitioner desires a sensory stimulation to either assist or limit motion. The tape is applied to the skin with moderate to full or 50-100% of available tension during active movement. 

F. Lymphatic correction "channeling"

used to create areas of decreased pressure under the tape that act as channels to direct the exudate to the nearest lymph duct. The tape is applied in a fan-like shape with nine to very light or 0-15% of available tension. 

APPLICATION AND REMOVAL OF THE TAPE 

During its manufacture, the K-Tape is applied with a slight stretch of 10% to the backing paper. The strips may be cut as I-, Y-, or X-tapes, or, in lymphatic therapy, fan-shaped and in narrow single strips.

 Each of the corners of the tape strips should be rounded with scissors. In this way and by the application of the unstretched base and ends, premature loosening and undesirable rolling of the tape ends can be avoided.

  The rounding of the corners plays a significant role here since the loosening of sharp corners cannot be prevented. Through the tape tension and skin movements, a certain degree of tension cannot be completely avoided in the tape ends. The longitudinal tensile forces are thus conducted around the corner. This is referred to as a redistribution of force. 

NOTE- The skin must be dry and oil-free, optimally Pre-K Gel should also be applied. Likewise, any thick covering of hair should be removed beforehand.

NOTE- To activate the heat-dependent adhesive properties of the K-Taping, the therapist should rub the flat of his/her hand several times over the completed tape application. The respective body areas are still in the pre-stretched position.

CONTRAINDICATION 

• open wounds
•  scars which have not yet healed
•  parchment-like skin, e.g. in acute episodes of neurodermatitis or psoriasis
•  sacral connective tissue massage zone (genital zone) in the first trimester of pregnancy
•  known allergies to acrylic

COLOR THEORY 

The original K- Tape is used in the four colors: cyan, 

 magenta, beige, and black.

 There is no difference in the structure and properties of the tapes. They have identical stretching capacities. The colors have been chosen to support the treatment based on color theory.

The color red is regarded as activating and stimulating, whereas the color blue is calming. Black and beige are classed as neutral. 

The effect of color upon entering a room is well-known. If the walls are painted blue, this evokes different perceptions from a room with red walls. This holds true for K-Tape applications. If the therapist affixes red tape to hypertonic musculature, or to a structure already inflamed, most of the patients will react with further stimulation and discomfort. In contrast, the color blue has a calming effect. The therapist should take note of this effect. 

APPLICATION TECHNIQUE WILL FURTHER DISCUSS IN THE NEXT POST ..........