Athletic Tape Info Center

Kinesiology tape can be applied in different ways to achieve different results. The experts at SpiderTech define three main taping techniques:

• Neurosensory – to relieve acute or chronic pain
• Microcirculatory – to reduce swelling and bruising by enhancing lymphatic drainage
• Structural – to support injured areas and encourage proper postural and movement patterns

Each of these techniques requires a different combination of two factors:

1. The amount of stretch in the affected muscle or muscle group
2. The amount of stretch in the tape as it is applied

Following are general guidelines for each of the three taping techniques:

1. Neurosensory – stretch the muscle, not the tape
2. Structural – stretch the tape, not the muscle
3. Microcirculatory – stretch the muscle and the tape

SpiderTech is a kinesiology tape manufacturer specializing in precut applications and precut strips. Their SpiderTech PowerStrips Precut X, Y and I Strips are precut applications already cut in the most popular X, Y and I formats. Using the Powerstrips to demonstrate, Spider Tech has produced this video that explains the difference between a neurosensory application and a structural application for the shoulder.