Colorful kinesiology tapes can now be seen everywhere. Whether on the mountain, in the climbing hall or in the gym - the colorful adhesive strips are no longer just a thing for professional athletes. Amateur athletes also rely on the kinesiology tape effect. That's what's behind it!
If you're a soccer fan, you probably know the colored tapes from David Beckham or Bastian Schweinsteiger.
But not only professional football players rely on tapes to support muscles and joints, but more and more amateur athletes.
Thus, even in everyday life, you see many people who have the colorful stripes stuck all over their bodies.
Have you also often wondered what these tapes are for and how they work? We have the answers.
Everything worth knowing about the kinesiology tape effect you will learn in this article.
Table of contents
What Kinesiology Tapes are
Kinesiology tapes are special elastic and breathable adhesive tapes used to support healing processes.
Kinesiology tapes are used especially for sports injuries or overuse reactions.
Kinesiology tapes are made of cotton or other textile fibers and for elasticity is responsible acrylic coating.
The tapes are so skin friendly, so the tapes can be used on really any part of the body.
Kinesiology tape is not a new product, however; it was developed by Japanese chiropractor Kenzo Kase back in the 1980s.
What you need to know about the kinesiology tape effect
The kinesiology tape effect is not scientifically proven, but doctors as well as therapists and patients swear by the effect of the colorful adhesive strips.
Basically, the effect depends on the taping technique. If the tape is applied from the muscle insertion to the muscle origin, the tapes have a muscle relaxing or detonating effect.
If the tapes are applied the other way round, i.e. from the muscle origin to the muscle insertion, they have a toning effect and therefore tense the muscle. Muscles are generally taped with little to no tension, while ligaments and tendons are taped with firm stuff.
But lymph can also be tapped. This is usually used to stimulate lymphatic drainage after operations or injuries. In the process, you stick without pulling.
Tip: In use with us - the Kinesiotapes from Truetape. They are particularly elastic and do not restrict movement. With me they have held on the back for 5 days and that despite hiking vacation. You can either buy pre-cut tapes or cut them yourself. Learn about Truetapes here!
Analgesic
The tape is applied like a second skin, thus the top layer of the skin is moved and displaced. In the epidermis is a large part of the pain receptors, these are so to speak calmed by the tape and the analgesic system is activated.
You can also think of it as the tape constantly acting on the skin like a mini-massage. This activates the skin tissue, blood circulation is promoted and nerve activity is activated. The metabolism is also stimulated by the kinesiology tape!
Lymphatic drainage
In addition, fluid accumulations resulting from injuries can be removed more quickly. After operations or in the case of swellings, the accumulated fluid in the affected part of the body is often very painful.
Kinesiology tapes can help here. The lymph flow is stimulated by a special adhesive technique. Accumulated fluid flows away, movement restrictions become less and pain is relieved.
Dissolution of the gentle posture
What else contributes to lasting pain relief is that relieving postures are resolved more quickly. The rapid pain relief promotes normal body and muscle movement and relieving postures, some of which can be just as painful, quickly dissolve.
One-sided muscle overload often leads to painful muscle tension. These can be influenced with the tape, so that a balance between muscle tension and muscle relaxation is restored.
Basically, the advantage of taping is that movement is not restricted, rather the functionality of the affected body part is supported and the healing process is stimulated.
What kinesiology tapes are used for
The range of the kinesiology tape effect is large. Thus, the following areas of action include:
- Muscle injuries
- Muscle tension
- Joint complaints
- General and non-specific pain of the musculoskeletal system
- Tendon insertion irritation
- Ligament injuries
- Osteoarthritis
- Sports injuries
- Back pain
- Malpositions and postural weaknesses
- Lymphedema
- Bruises
- Stabilization and injury prevention
- Scar treatment
Typical clinical pictures for which taping is often used
- Bruises
- Post-treatment of muscle strains or muscle fiber tears
- Runner's Knee
- General knee pain
- Tennis Elbow
- Neck tension
- Hallux valgus
- Swellings
- Menstrual cramps
Besides the classic kinesiology tape, there are also grid tapes. They are an alternative to acupuncture. Here, blockages in the energy flow are released by small skin displacements.
In addition, the grid tape activates the self-healing powers of the body. You stick the grid tape on the affected pain points and can permanently relieve the pain.
How to apply kinesiology tapes correctly
In order to apply the kinesiology tape correctly and thus achieve good effects through the kinesiology tape effect, you should pay attention to a few things.
Knowledge of the clinical picture
First of all, it is important that you know exactly what the condition or injury is. Anatomical knowledge is important so that you can apply the tapes correctly. Numerous instructions that support you in this are also helpful.
Stretched position when attaching
The tape is applied in stretched muscle or joint position. Thus, the body always retains complete freedom of movement.
Activation of the tape
To activate the tape, you should rub it several times from the inside to the outside. Also, once you have applied the tape to the body, you should rub it firmly, this ensures optimal fusion with the skin.
Stick on dry, hairless skin
You should always apply the tape only on well-dried skin. Do not apply cream before applying the tape! In addition, the tape does not adhere to very hairy parts of the body. Therefore, you should shave the affected area beforehand.
Attach without folds
To avoid unpleasant rubbing or blisters, it is best to apply the tape to the body without wrinkles.
Base and anchor without tension
You should always tape the starting point of the tape, the base, and the end point, the anchor, without tension.
Round corners
If you do not use pre-cut tapes, then you should round off the corners of the taping strip yourself. This prolongs the durability, because the tape is more difficult to peel off.
Apply 1 - 2 hours before activity
It is important to apply the tape preferably one or two hours before the sport activity. If you start to sweat too soon after application, the kinesiology tape will come off much faster, because it does not yet adhere properly to the skin.
Dry tape well
The tapes are all waterproof, so you can shower or go to the sauna with the tape without hesitation. Afterwards, however, you should not rub the affected area with a towel.
It is better to dab gently with a towel. You can also lightly blow-dry the tape so that it adheres well again.
Detach with oil
In most cases, the tapes detach themselves from the skin after a certain amount of time. However, if you want to remove them sooner, you can use oil to remove them, especially from sensitive areas of the body.
Taping neck on both sides
When you apply kinesiology tapes to the neck area, you should always do so on both sides. One-sidedness can be uncomfortable and lead to imbalance, especially in this area.
How to behave when you have a tape on your body
Kinesiology tapes, unlike normal tapes that rigidly fix the joint, are made to keep you moving with them.
So, if you have a kinesiology tape on your body, you should not limit movement activities. On the contrary, movement is a good thing, because it strengthens your muscles, keeps you flexible and speeds up the healing of your condition.
Due to the fact that metabolic processes take place in your body, you should drink enough water.
So with your kinesiology tape you don't need to restrict yourself, exercise is usually the name of the game for recovery!
How long the tapes stick to the body
How long the kinesiology tapes stick to the body depends strongly on the body part and the condition of the skin. Tapes on exposed areas usually come off faster.
Some people believe that kinesiology tape should stay on the body until it comes off by itself. But you should always listen to your own feeling, if the tape is no longer good for you, you should remove it.
However, depending on the body part, the tape basically remains well adhered between three and seven days. After that, especially the ends begin to loosen.
But if you still want to leave the tape up, you can again round off the tape at the ends, so it will last for another few days.
When not to apply kinesiology tape
There are certain cases, so-called contraindications, where you should refrain from treatment with a kinesiology tape:
- open or inflamed wounds
- Scars that have not yet healed
- in case of allergy to adhesives
- for skin diseases
- unexplained complaints of the venous vascular system
- Pregnancy: better to be clarified by the gynecologist!
Attention: Taping will no longer help with severe injuries, such as torn muscles or ligaments!
Our conclusion
Although the kinesiology tape effect is still not scientifically proven, many professional, but also amateur athletes swear by the pain-relieving effect of the tapes.
It is clear that the adhesive strips are not a panacea, but to support the healing process and as a therapy supplement they do a good job.
Good luck trying it out!
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