What Exactly Taping Does for You

All too often, we send our patients home with an intricate design on a designated body part to help speed up their healing and reduce discomfort. Almost every time our patients ask why. For many, they ask because they now have to themselves explain to curious friends and family, why they have been suddenly mummified. The answer is simple, and the results, extraordinary.

Kinesio Taping

The individual to first develop the Kinesio Taping method was Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor and moxibustion therapist who had the goal of prolonging the effects of manual therapy. In 1995, the method came to the United States and has been in use for over two decades. The method itself helps provide support to joints and muscles, keeping them in the spots that they are supposed to be. In addition, it can help move joints so that in uncomfortable areas, there is less friction or pressure. Unlike strict taping with white or beige athletic tape, kinesio tape allows for more range of motion and matches the flexibility and elasticity of body tissue itself. Kinesio taping is huge! You will see it on amateur, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. It can be used for competition, better alignment, pain, and rehabilitation.

McConnell Taping

A second type of taping, in which has proved helpful and is constantly in our office by trained physical therapists is the McConnell Taping. With McConnell taping, cover roll tape, a stretchy, adhesive cotton bandage is applied to the area first. Next, leukotape is applied. This method and type of type is most often used for patellofemoral taping. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (anterior knee pain) is extremely common as it produces over 3 million US cases each year. This method is much more supportive and involves bracing joints in place, affecting the biomechanics of the body. McConnell taping is for more extreme conditions like shoulder dislocations and impingement issues along the back, shoulders, feet and hips.

Overall Benefits

• Reduced Pain
• Reduced Swelling
• Better Alignment and glide of joints and muscles
• Reduced Discomfort
• Improved Posture
• Scar Tissue Reduction
• FASTER HEALING

Resources; www.vasportsmedicine.com; http://breakingmuscle.com