Just wanted to know what you guys know about kinesio taping. I’m dealing with PF and progressing but itching to run. I know a guy that knows a guy that knows the taping method. Should I start running w/the tape before I’m completely healed? thanks.
Just search online for “low dye” or arch support taping and do it yourself. Use a high quality, porous, cloth sports tape (spray pre tape works best as well, but no necessary). It is not that difficult!
My chiropractor/sports med guy does it. Even he says it’s no magic cure… but when you need specific support in specific directions it definitely does help when applied by somebody who knows what they’re doing. Of course, once you know the “recipe” for what you’re trying to do, you absolutely can apply subsequent tapings. I used it on my foot recovering from a sprain and definitely noticed when it was applied correctly versus incorrectly. It’s not rocket science.
Kenisio tape is slightly different than standard sports tape, but I’m not convinced the difference is as big as the Kinesio institute would have you believe. Of course, they’re in the business of selling you branded tape. You can buy generic tape for Kinesio-style taping (“physio tape”) online reasonably cheap. Combined with the manual (available on amazon) you should be able to do just about every common taping.
I have no idea what they do for PF… but I have heard from others suffering through it that there’s no substitute for orthotics, stretching, and rest. Here’s a diagram I found of one application though:
http://www.optp.com/userfiles/file/PDF%20Storage/Kinesio%20Taping%20Method%20-%20June%202007.pdf
My chiropractor/sports med guy does it. Even he says it’s no magic cure… but when you need specific support in specific directions it definitely does help when applied by somebody who knows what they’re doing. Of course, once you know the “recipe” for what you’re trying to do, you absolutely can apply subsequent tapings. I used it on my foot recovering from a sprain and definitely noticed when it was applied correctly versus incorrectly. It’s not rocket science.
Kenisio tape is slightly different than standard sports tape, but I’m not convinced the difference is as big as the Kinesio institute would have you believe. Of course, they’re in the business of selling you branded tape. You can buy generic tape for Kinesio-style taping (“physio tape”) online reasonably cheap. Combined with the manual (available on amazon) you should be able to do just about every common taping.
I have no idea what they do for PF… but I have heard from others suffering through it that there’s no substitute for orthotics, stretching, and rest. Here’s a diagram I found of one application though:
http://www.optp.com/...0-%20June%202007.pdf
Thanks.
My chiro/sports med doc does it as well where I have calfd problems due to an old injury that has built up scar tissue and tweaks on me every so often. He showed me the proper way to tape my calf with the kinesio tape and although it isn’t a magic cure, I have found that it does provide more support than regular medical tape. I’ve also found it to be more flexible plus it holds up well in water.
Runners world mag has some videos about this.
www.runnersworld.com/kinesio
Kinesio taping is NOT ATHLETIC taping, i am a certified kinesio taping practicioner, so i hope i can ansewer some of your questions.
I have been using K tape for the past year on my patients in a sports setting primarily, mostly on runners and cyclists but also lots of low back strains, i often do a mix of treatments including ART, ultra sound, Massage Therapy, k tape, and streatch/strengthining programs.
K tape is very streatchy, and ment to move with the body, athletic tape does not streatch and is ment purly for support reasons i,e, inversion sprains when you don’t want any lateral movement of the ankle.
With k tape there are several principles or ideas followed, 1. taping insertion to origin to inhibit over worked muscles. 2. origin to insertion to facilitate under worked or weak muscles, 3. applying a fan technique to increase lymphatic drainage, 4. specific taping for a mechanicle correction. also the amount of streatch applied differs for specific sites and injuries.
If you read lance armstrongs book every second counts, he mentions a miracle tape that would get rid of everyones pain by the next day, there are some good pics of the usps team in a ttt wearing it. also it was used by many of the athletes at this years olympics including the womans vollyball team, and several sprinters.
I will try to post an article i wrote last year on the tape, later today if i can pull it up.
Brian
This months runners magazine has a description on how to put it on yourself for four different problems associated with lower leg issues.
This months runners magazine has a description on how to put it on yourself for four different problems associated with lower leg issues.
x2. Good stuff. I’ve got a PT that does it, but, I saw that article. I tried it myself. Worked ok, but, was kinda tough to tape myself (achilles). Much better when my PT does it.
Here is the promissed attempt at posting my article.
History of Kinesio taping
The Kinesio taping method was developed nearly 25 years ago by a doctor in Japan. From there it spread through professional athletes and sports teams quickly, including the 1988 Olympics with the Japanese athletes, the 1996 Olympics with the American teams, & the tour de France in 2001 with the U.S. postal service team.
Today the Kinesio taping method can be seen on every one from athletes to pregnant women and every one in between.
What does kinesio tape do?
Kinesio tape can be used therapeutically for several reasons:
Assisting in relaxing an overused, irritated muscle.
Stimulating a weak or tired muscle.
Providing tactile input to increase proprioception or awareness of a muscle or joint, as proprioception increases, more attention is given to an area of the body, which increases use and in turn increases strength.
Assisting in holding a joint in position so an over stretched muscle is provided time to shorten and heal.
Aids in the movement of Edema, and swelling.
Helps to decrease pain, in injured tissues.
Why is this different than regular athletic tape ?
Conventional Athletic tape is designed to restrict the range of motion of affected muscles and joints, for this purpose several layers are applied around the affected tissue, applying significant pressure to the area decreasing blood and lymph flow. Athletic tape is usually applied just before the sports activity & removed right after.
Kinesio tape on the other hand, is a woven, latex free, porous tape that offers recoil when stretched length wise only, up to 140%. The adhesive is a heat activated acrylic, laid out with gaps to allow skin to breath. For treatment of damaged muscles, the tape is applied to stretched tissue, the taped skin will form convolutions after application, increasing movement of lymph and edema, in the dermis. Damaged joints & ligaments are taped in neutral with tape stretched to support the joint, yet allowing full range of motion.
What conditions does Kinesio Tape treat ?
Many conditions can be treated including:
Sports Injuries Repetitive Strain Injuries
Shoulder Conditions Knee Conditions
Low Back Strain/Pain Subluxations/Herniations Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Shin Splints
Tennis Elbow Whiplash
Post Surgical Edema And many more
Wearing Kinesio Tape
Before coming in for tape application, insure the area is clean and dry, the tape will not adhere properly if you have lotion on the skin, tape should be applied at least an hour before activity or swimming to allow adhesive to stick properly.
If you notice any irritation, swelling, redness, or itching remove the tape. If the edges begin to lift, simply trim off excess to prevent it from getting caught on clothes and being pulled off more.
You can shower with the tape on, just pat it with a towel to dry, do not use a hair dryer, excessive heat will make removal more difficult.
When removing tape, take your time, you can place a thin layer of baby oil, or tape remover over the area, let soak for 15 minutes. Loosen one end and begin slowly peeling away, this may be easier in the bath tub,. After removal, use plenty of lotion to hydrate skin and relieve any irritation.
Kinesio Tape normally remains in place for 3 to 5 days, before removal, excessive body hair will prevent the tape from bonding to the skin.
Kinesio Taping In the news & Endorsements
In Lance Armstrong’s book ”Every Second Counts” he is quoted“ Something better than any laser, wrap, or electric massager….The Tape. It is a special hot-pink athletic tape that came from Japan and seemed to have special powers. Every morning before the stage, they would tape us all up, different parts of our bodies……George’s back, Chechu’s knees. Sometimes we’d be so wrapped up in hot-pink tape that we’d look like dolls, a bunch of broken dolls. But the next day the pain disappeared-it was gone.”
The march issue of Triathlon Canada features a Picture of top Canadian triathlete Tara Norton with her shoulder Kinesio Taped for a dislocation injury.
So i hope this article helps abit, my original looks alot better with the graphics etc, i produce several articles a year for my clients at our clinic just outside of Toronto Ontario, please note that no part of this article may be reproduced without my permission etc etc etc
Forgot to mention that yes you can run or excerise with the tape on, it is waterproof so you can even swim with it on, if your injury such as plantarfascitious is sever for get training even with the tape, but if the injury is healing well then you may be able to train with the tape on no problem, each case is a bit differnt.
Kinesio tape is as mentioned very differnt than normal athletic tape, not only is it more streatchy, but it only streatches length wise not width wise, also it is porous so it breathes well, the adhesive is heat activated so you need to rub it in a bit, and the adhesive has intermittent gaps along the tape, it also comes off easily after 3 to 5 days, the tape is available from several medical supply companys, th ekinesio taping association etc and is around $16 canadian per roll or $105can for a box of 6 rolls,
it comes in beige, pink, light blue, & black. There is another no name brand that just came out that i have experimented with but it doesn’t stay on as well, and not woth saving the money, it goes for around $6 can a roll, it’s a darker red colour.
Brian
Balanced Living Massage Therapy & Wellness Centre
the tape works! I have used it on my knee for runners knee and I have no pain now.
Eugene
If Kinesio tape is stretchy wouldn’t athletic tape be better for PF. When I taped for PF, I was putting the tape on to support my arch and wanted a strong tape. I would think that Kinesio tape would just stretch and not support the arch.
I think Kinesio tape is great stuff when used properly, but for the OP issue of PF, I would just used the taping techniques that others posted with the strongest athletic tape he could find. The stuff I used was so strong that I had to put down a layer of weak tape between it and the skin so I didn’t cause skin tears when I took it off.
So if K Tape doesn’t work, why did the americans wearing the tape beat the ausies at the olympics???, did anyone notice the player in the superbowl wearing it tonight? i think he was on the steelers team? anyone see the article in sports illustrated with the usps time trial team and 3 riders wearing it? google it it looks cool, have you read every second counts by lance, he mentions the miracle tape as well.
Remember that with k tape the intention is differnt, you want movement! if for example with a knee and you are taping for pateller alignment, you want there to be good fluid movement with slight correction, i don’t think i have ever seen a lowdye at the tour???.
There is a time and place for everything, if you read the kinesio taping text you will notice the combo taping, utilyzing mc connel/lowdye aswell. K tape isn’t for every thing or everyone, but it like many modalities makes a great addition to a therapists repitoire, when used correctly by a skilled therapist it can make the differnce between training/racing & sitting in your lazy boy eating vegimite :).
Proper medical studies would be great to have for every modality out there, but know one is probably going to put up the cash for it, and we know there are lots of modalites around with out alot of studies that work well, just look at ART.
I think it generally makes sense. Kind of like chiropractic medicine - based on sound principles, but at risk for going overboard. Use it for shoulder instability and hamstring strains - yes. When people start trying to fix fractures and ACL tears - problem. There are a handful of people who are touting it for things that don’t make sense. Runs the risk of hurting the credibility of people who are actually good at the techniques and use it for appropriate purposes.
I would love to do a study in clavicle fractures. One strip across the back between the shoulder blades to remind the patient of their posture - I bet the outcomes are better. However, I don’t use it with any of my patients right now. I suspect the data to support its use in certain conditions will improve. When it does, I’ll start recommending it.
Andy
So if K Tape doesn’t work, why did the americans wearing the tape beat the ausies at the olympics???, did anyone notice the player in the superbowl wearing it tonight? i think he was on the steelers team? anyone see the article in sports illustrated with the usps time trial team and 3 riders wearing it? google it it looks cool,
Well, shit, if it looks cool it must be working!
And I think the Americans beat the Aussies (not sure what sport you’re referencing, that happened a few dozen times), because they were better at that moment, not because they were wearing tape.
FWIW, Kerri Walsh (American beach volleyball) started wearing the tape because of shoulder problems, ended up taking it off and not using it for the 2nd half of the tournament, and they still won. Maybe it’s a lingering effect? You only need it once a week?
John