Kinesiology taping refers to a variety of techniques that involve taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction. The first technique gives the practitioner the opportunity to actually give support while maintaining full range of motion, enabling the individual to participate in physical activity with functional assistance. The second technique helps prevent overuse or over-contraction and helps provide facilitation of lymph flow 24 hours per day.
Kinesiology taping is said to offer patients benefits by increasing or inhibiting muscle tonus by providing mechanical compression, or by the diversion of stress through the tissues utilizing parallel elastic fibers. Although commonly used during acute stages of injury for controlling lymphatic flow, conditions creating macro or micro lymphedema can be addressed.
Kinesiology Taping is used for anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in between. Examples include: muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patella tracking, pre and post surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method.