Athletic Tape Info Center

This is the fourth in a series of four postings detailing the “big 4″ benefits of kinesiology taping:
1. Psychological Benefits
2. Microcirculatory Benefits
3. Structural Benefits
4. Neurosensory Benefits
Today I’m going to focus on neurosensory benefits, or in simpler terms, kinesiology taping for pain relief.

Why Use Kinesiology Tape for Pain Relief?

Relief of pain is a goal in virtually all kinesiology tape applications. When a person is in pain, it affects their ability to function on many levels. One of the body’s natural protective responses to pain is to decrease both muscle tone and muscle activity. This automatically limits the ability of the muscle to function, protecting it from additional injury. While positive in many situations, this response can be detrimental for an athlete who wishes to continue training as he/she recovers from a minor injury.

The use of a neurosensory kinesiology taping application can relieve pain AND restore more normal muscle activation and function. This is accomplished through several mechanisms, including sensory gating to override pain stimuli.

How to Create a Neurosensory Kinesiology Taping Application
When applying kinesiology tape, the two factors that can be manipulated are the amount of stretch in the tape and the amount of stretch in the muscle. To maximize pain relief through kinesiology taping, it is important to STRETCH THE MUSCLE, NOT THE TAPE.

1. Remove the backing from the first 2″ of the tape and apply with NO STRETCH IN THE MUSCLE OR THE TAPE.  This lessens the likelihood of skin irritation and helps the tape adhere better. Rub briskly to activate the adhesive.

2. Stretch the injured muscle to the limit of its pain-free range. Continue peeling the backing from the tape, lightly pressing the tape against the skin as it comes off the backing paper.

3. When you get to the anchor end (the final 2″ of tape), place the muscle back into a neutral position and apply the final 2″ with no stretch in the muscle or the tape. In most cases, the tape will appear rippled after the muscle is released from the contracted position.

4. Rub tape briskly to activate adhesive.

With proper application, pain relief is usually immediate and typically lasts for the entire taping period.