Athletic Tape Info Center

Recently, more and more chiropractic patients have been leaving their practitioners’ offices sporting a new fashion statement – a brightly colored athletic tape that can be applied in a variety of configurations on any part of the body.

The generic term for this unique therapy is “kinesiology tape.” The two leading brand names are Kinesio® Tex Tape and SpiderTech™ Tape.

Following are some of the reasons kinesiology taping is becoming an integral part of chiropractic treatment:

1. When properly applied, kinesiology tape can relieve pain almost immediately. This can break the vicious “pain/spasm/pain” cycle that can prevent a chiropractor from performing an effective adjustment.

2. Because a single application of kinesiology tape is typically worn for 4-5 days, the therapeutic benefits of a chiropractic visit can continue 24/7 for an extended period of time.

3. Kinesiology tape provides chiropractors with a simple, effective tool to address soft tissue and myofascial issues, in addition to the spinal subluxations more typically treated.

4. The elasticity of kinesiology tape allow a chiropractor to create an application that can guide muscles and joints through correct movement patterns without limiting range of motion.

5. Depending on the method of application, kinesiology tape can be used to either relax overused or spasmed muscles or to activate weak, underused muscles. This allows each application to be customized to the needs of the patient.