In the case of tennis elbow, the tendon attachments of the muscles responsible for the stretching of the elbow are affected by constant strain, and irritation of the tendon structure and the bone at the attachment occurs. This attachment is located at the epicondylus humeri radialis and is visible on the outside of the elbow. There is pain in this area and certain movements are prevented and resistance is avoided.
Due to the gentle posture, there is a reduction in strength and shortening of the elbow and wrist extension as well as rotation of the wrist. It is important that the area is protected and strengthened during movements. In this way the tissue at the tendon and bone can recover.
Kinesiotape
The material from which kinesiotape is made is more elastic than leukotape. The basic ingredient is cotton. To make sure that the kinesiotape sticks to the skin, acrylic glue is used.
Due to its stretchability, it is flexible and adapts to everyday and sports movements. The Kinesiotape is stuck on the skin under tension and has a certain supporting effect. When you move, it goes with you and reduces pain.
After the physiotherapist has applied the Kinesiotape under tension, the Kinesiotape is warmed up under friction. In this way heat is applied to the area and the muscle reduces its tone. Due to its fine structure, Kinesiotape can be worn loosely for up to a week and also when showering or bathing.
In case of skin irritation or allergies, the Kinesiotape should not be worn. Kinesiotape is available in a wide range of colors. Each color has a specific characteristic that affects the body.
Red, for example, is a suitable color for the warming effect. Scientifically, the effectiveness of the Kinesiotapes from the kinesiology and its colors, is not proven. Nevertheless, it can bring improvements in the area of complaints and is used as an additional measure in many therapies.
Instructions
First they stretch out their arm and bend their hand. It is always stretched during application. For the application we should mention that at the end on the kinesiotape, only small folds should be present.
This is not to be confused with wrinkles, which are caused by the application. Such small folds act during a movement, like a massage on the skin. And they only appear after the muscle has been loosened again after pre-stretching.
The length of the strip is the distance between the middle of the wrist and the elbow. The corners of the ends are cut off and are curved. This way the kinesiotape holds better and stays longer on the skin.
We take the first strip and pull it apart in the middle so that the paper separates in the middle. But the paper is not yet removed. It is only torn into two parts for the beginning.
The paper is pulled off on one side and the free end is glued to the middle of the back of the hand. Then you rub the kinesiotape on the skin and bring the remaining strip under tension. The rest of the paper is pulled off and the strip is pulled again and applied up to the elbow.
Also the last section, they bring with the fist under friction. The second strip is slightly shorter than the other and is about as long as the back of the hand. This is divided into two more halves.
However, they do not cut it completely, but leave about seven centimeters free. This creates a head with two legs, which is attached at the beginning and only serves as a fixation. Also with the two halves of the strip, the ends are cut again and formed into a curved shape.
You tear the paper at the beginning of the two legs apart. The head is attached to the elbow and brought under friction. The arm remains stretched out to the front.
Now we take the paper away from one leg and glue it in the cross direction, towards the little finger. Again, pull is used. The other leg is attached in the same way and glued towards the middle finger.
Both legs of the kinesiotape, have a distance to each other and are v-shaped. Again there is friction on the kinesiotape. When you look at the arm at the end, a large strip goes from the back of the hand, straight up to the elbow.
Directly at the elbow there is another v-shaped kinesiotape, which is shorter than the first one. The way a tape is arranged is not always the same for every physiotherapist. It depends on the center of gravity of the taping.
If you want to support the elbow attachment even more, there is another way to apply the tape. Again, stretch the arm forward and bring the wrist into flexion.The length of the stripe is the distance, between the middle of the wrist and the elbow. It is again divided into two further halves.
However, it is not separated completely, but they leave a few centimeters free again. The result is a head with two legs, which is attached at the beginning and only serves as a fixation. Also with the two halves of the strip, the ends are cut again and formed into a curved shape.
You tear the paper at the beginning of the two legs apart. The head is attached on the outside, a few centimeters above the elbow. Again they rub the kinesiotape.
Now we take the paper away from one leg and stick it towards the little finger. The course is a bit arched and not straight. Again, before you put the tape on, work with traction.
In any case, the other leg is attached in the same arched way and glued towards the middle finger. Both legs of the tape, round the outside of the elbow. In this variation, only the application of the first kinesiotape is different.
Instead of cutting it, it was divided into two halves. As follows, a shorter tape is added and is just as long as the one in the first variant (length of the back of the hand). At the end, cut two strips from it and leave a few centimeters free. This way the shorter tape is attached in a v-shape at the same place, namely at the elbow.
