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What Is Kinesiotape And How Do We Use It?


Kinesiotape was invented and developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase from Japan in 1973. Dr. Kase wanted to create something that would hold and maintain the correct alignment of the body part for continuous time after individuals left their physical therapy treatment. He developed a taping technique that would let the individual move freely while allowing the skin to breathe.

Kinesiotape is a soft thin tape with a thickness similar to the top layer of skin. When applied properly, it is designed to lift the skin microscopically, and it will stay in place for up to 5 days. By lifting the skin, pressure is taken off the interstitial space underneath and helps to alleviate pain and aide in lymphatic drainage. This can be particularly helpful for people who have been injured or recently have had surgery and have bruising or swelling. This tape is also designed to help realign the joints by utilizing the stretchiness of the tape. It helps to provide a kinesthetic awareness and acts as a reminder to the wearer to correct their movement in their daily activity.

If the body functions in proper alignment, the muscles are able to move more freely and with reduced pain. Kinesiotape aids in normalizing muscle function by either engaging the muscle or relaxing it when needed with the gentle stretch of the tape. It is important to remember sometimes the joint experiencing pain is not necessarily the cause of pain. This is why it is imperative to get a professional assessment by a physical therapist or sports and rehab specialist to know exactly where the source of pain originates. At Mizuta & Associates, all of our therapists are trained in kinesiotaping basics and can transfer that knowledge and skill to the individual so they can effectively use the technique independently and between treatment sessions.

Kinesiotape has minimal side effects and can be used on a large majority of the population; however, it should not be used without consulting a professional first. For more information regarding kinesiotape please visit these online resources- http://www.athletictapeinfo.com/page/3/?s=lymphatic&x=41&y=11

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