Kinesio Taping

Kinesio taping is a Japanese method developed by kinesiologist and chiropractor Kenzo Kase. In Germany, it is mainly used in physiotherapy and sports medicine. Taping is a recognized method in competitive sports because it is effective without drugs or additives. Treatment is performed by applying cotton-based elastic adhesive tapes about 5 cm wide directly to the skin.A meta-analysis showed that in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain, kinesio-taping achieved better results in pain relief than minimal intervention or other therapeutic measures.

Indications (areas of application)

  • Overuse syndromes of the joint, ligament and muscle structures.
  • Prevention of overuse syndromes and injuries.
  • Cervical spine syndrome (e.g., tension headache, muscular hypertonia (tension), osteoarthritis).
  • Scoliosis (pathological, lateral bending of the spine).
  • Cervicobrachial syndrome – so-called shoulder-arm syndrome (pain in the neck, shoulder girdle and upper extremities. The cause is often the compression or irritation of spinal nerves of the cervical spine).
  • Thoracic-outlet syndrome (TOS; shoulder girdle compression syndrome) – temporary or permanent compression of a vascular nerve bundle consisting of brachial plexus, subclavian artery, and subclavian vein; considered one of the most controversial nerve compression syndromes
  • Epicondylitis – inflammatory reaction of the tendinous muscle origins of the forearm muscles at the epicondyle. It is distinguished epicondylitis humeri radialis (tennis elbow) from epicondylitis humeri ulnaris (golfer’s elbow).
  • Lumbar spine syndrome (ischialgia – irritation of the sciatic nerve; disc protrusion – protrusion of an intervertebral disc with compression of the spinal nerves; disc prolapse – herniated disc).
  • SIG block (sacroiliac joint block, also ISG block – sacroiliac joint block).
  • Impingement syndrome – functional impairment of the shoulder joint due to mechanical irritation of the rotator cuff, especially the supraspinatus tendon.
  • Shoulder joint dislocation (dislocation of the shoulder joint).
  • Gon and coxarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joint).
  • Muscle ruptures and partial ruptures
  • Operations on the musculoskeletal system
  • Distortions (sprain, strain)
  • Apoplexy (stroke) and other severe neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease (shaking palsy) and multiple sclerosis)
  • Lymphedema (swelling due to lymphatic drainage disorders).
  • Hematomas (bruises)

Contraindications

  • Marcumar treatment
  • Open wounds
  • Parchment skin
  • Regions with condition after radiotherapy

The procedure

Kinesio taping forms a complement to forms of treatment such as physiotherapy, manual therapy, massage, lymphatic drainage and neurological therapies. The therapy consists of the targeted application of elastic cotton tapes. These tapes are of different colors, stretchable in length and very skin-friendly. They can be worn for several days, as the freedom of movement is completely preserved. Taping uses the body’s own self-healing process and provides pressure relief as well as promoting local metabolism. Four different application techniques are distinguished, which can be combined as well as applied individually:

  • Muscle AnlageThe aim is to improve muscle function, e.g., in the case of a muscle fiber tear. The plant can be either detonating or toning, i.e. tension is released or built up. A positive effect has this variant on both static and dynamic muscle coordination.
  • Ligament installationHere is a passive support of the joints aimed, for example, in SIG blockage (sacroiliac joint blockage, also ISG blockage – sacroiliac joint blockage).
  • Lymphatic tapingThe aim is to activate the lymphatic system. Taping is used for hematomas (bruise), effusions and lymphatic congestion. It causes a reduction in pressure on the affected tissue and thus accelerates regeneration.
  • Correction systemThe taping corrects incorrect posture and incorrect stresses and resulting clinical pictures, eg.B. Chondropathia patellae (disease of the cartilaginous back of the kneecap caused by a reduced supply of nutrients to the cartilage. The cause is atrophy (atrophy) of the large extensor muscle of the thigh (M. quadriceps femoris). The change in load reduces the supply of cartilage through the synovial fluid).

Another effect is the stimulation of proprioceptors, which are responsible for the so-called depth sensitivity. The depth sensitivity is the sensitivity that registers the position or movement of the body in space at any time. This is done by detecting joint positions or muscle tensions. By stimulating these receptors, the “feeling of movement” can be improved. In addition, kinesio taping has an analgesic effect and stimulates blood circulation.

Benefits

Kinesio taping is an effective method that allows economization of movement patterns and a more effective increase in the load on the musculoskeletal system. Both athletes and patients can benefit.