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Kinesiology Taping for Rehabilitation & Sports Performance
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Kinesiology Tape Sweeps Sportsworld
posted by Tape Expert
In the last few months the use of kinesiology tape to treat aches and pains has become a viral marketing phenomenon. From sideline chatter among soccer moms to international coaching conferences, word is spreading like wildfire that kinesiology tape has become the “must have” product for injured athletes. Exactly what is this new craze and why has it become popular so quickly? Let’s take a look at some of kinesiology tape’s winning features:
1. Kinesiology tape provides support without restricting range of motion – a crucial factor for athletes who need to continue training and/or competing as they recover from injuries.
2. It begins to relieve pain and swelling almost as soon as it’s applied.
3. Once applied, kinesiology tape can stay on for 3-5 days, providing therapeutic benefits 24/7 for the entire time it’s worn.
4. The cotton fabric combined with the wave pattern of the acrylic adhesive allows both air and moisture to flow through the tape. This allows it to stay on through intense exercise, showering and even swimming without coming off or irritating the skin.
5. It’s inexpensive, costing approximately $14 for a 16 foot roll or $8 – $11 for a precut kinesiology tape application.
6. It’s small and lightweight making it convenient to carry in a sports bag or trainer’s kit.
7. While traditional sports tape is restrictive and can lead to overuse injuries in muscles recruited to compensate for the restricted area, kinesiology tape allows all muscles to function within a safe range of motion.
8. Kinesiology tape can be used effectively on virtually any type of injury on any part of the body.
Look for my next posting on the conditions that kinesiology tape can be used for.
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The following video shows Dr. Kevin Jardine, inventor of SpiderTech pre-cut kinesiology taping applications, demonstrating the proper technique for applying the Elbow Spider to someone with tennis elbow. This application technique is designed to reduce elbow pain and optimize muscle activation in the forearm extensors – the muscles directly responsible for the pain and inflammation of tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.
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Part 1 – Introduction to Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a very common and very frustrating injury among racquet sport players and others who actively use their forearm muscles. It is characterized by pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle), that may also radiate down the forearm.
Activities that are especially painful to tennis elbow sufferers include:
– lifting or carrying objects, using the fingers and hand
– squeezing actions such as shaking hands
– rotation or twisting motions of the wrist
– extending or cocking the wrist
The symptoms of tennis elbow are caused by inflammation and small tears in the tendon connecting the extensor muscles of the wrist to the lateral epicondyle (the bony bump on the outside of the elbow). It is considered to be a form of tendonitis. Tennis players aren’t alone in their battle with this challenge, however. It can be caused by any activity that involves repetitive use of the forearm muscles, even such simple activities as using hand tools, pulling weeds, painting or carrying a heavy briefcase. Among tennis players, the most common causes are poor backhand technique, a racquet grip that is too small, strings that are too tight or playing with soft, wet or heavy balls
Many cases of tennis elbow respond to simple therapies like rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication within a few weeks. Others, however, are more resistant to treatment, and become long-lasting chronic conditions.
There are as many treatments for tennis elbow as there are causes, and many sufferers expend significant time and money before finding the best solution for them. Home-based treatments include elbow braces or supports, forearm straps to compress the wrist extensors, shock-absorbing devices worn near the elbow, liniments and creams, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Medical interventions include acupuncture, prescription medication, cortisone injections and physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the surrounding musculature. Surgery is rare, but may be required in serious cases.
Kinesiology Taping for Tennis Elbow
Kinesiology taping is an exciting new development in the treatment and management of tennis elbow. This thin, lightweight, stretchy tape can be worn 24/7 for several days, providing round the clock benefits for stubborn cases of elbow pain. Compared to traditional athletic tape which only provides support and restricts movement. kinesiology tape actually has therapeutic properties. In addition to rapid relief of pain, it also increases circulation, which reduces inflammation and accelerates the healing process. A well-applied kinesiology tape application is like receiving tennis elbow therapy 24/7 for days at a time.
My next posting will discuss different kinesiology taping techniques for lateral epicondylitis in various stages of inflammation.
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