K Tape (also called kinesiology tape) has been growing in use among physical therapists and chiropractors for the past 20 years. Originally invented in the 1970s by a Japanese chiropractor called Dr. Kenzo Kase, it is now in demand by elite athletes and sports medicine specialists all over the world.
K tape can be purchased in two general formats. You can buy the tape in the form of pre cut rolls designed for application to specific body parts. Pre cuts normally come with application guides that explain how to use each cut for the particular purpose for which it was designed.
K tape in pre cut form is primarily for use by those who do not have specialized training but are using the tape to manage an injury they have experienced.
Alternatively, you can buy k tape in the form of a roll that you then cut to your specifications and apply depending on the specific injury you are treating. Tape rolls are primarily for application by trained therapists who understand precisely the effect they are trying to achieve and how to achieve it.
Traditional athletic tape is designed to restrict the range of motion of joints or muscles in order to give them a chance to recover from an injury. By restricting their movement, the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the joint will be under less stress and will be able to heal naturally.
By contrast, K tape is designed to not restrict the movement of the joints or soft tissues to which it is applied. Instead, it utilizes the movements of these joints and muscles to lift the skin over the injured area. This leaves a microscopic space between the skin and the underlying tissues.
The space between the raised skin and the tissues underneath allows for enhanced blood flow through the injured tissues. It also permits enhanced lymphatic drainage as well as improved intake of lymphatic fluids.
Improved blood circulation allows for a more ready supply of fresh blood to the injured tissues. This blood, with its fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients, will promote more rapid healing of the injury.
Lymphatic fluid (or lymph) drainage carries (among other things) damaged cells away from the injury site. Incoming lymphatic fluid carries infection fighting white blood cells that will help the injjury to continue healing with less risk of interruption.
To function as described above, k tape is designed with a number of unique properties:
The applications of k tape in physical therapy include the following:
In addition to the physical therapy uses listed above, k tape is widely regarded by elite athletes as enhancing their proprioception.
In doing this, it helps these athletes perform complex physical movements more instinctively and with less conscious effort. As a result, it is a vital accessory for performance improvement as well as injury management. This is one benefit of using k tape for which traditional athletic tape does not offer an equivalent.
To achieve the stated benefits, there are certain procedures that you must follow before tape application. We outline some of these below:
While you are applying the tape, remember to:
After applying the tape, remember to:
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The Mueller Sports Medicine EASYfit® Kinesiology Tape applications are designed to be simple to use and will quickly relieve your aching muscles/tendons, ligament strains and other overuse injuries. Three (3) applications in each package for the knee, shoulder, foot/arch, calf/ankle/neck and waist/back applications. Six (6) applications in each package for the X & Y pattern applications.
Use DynaPro Kinesiology RestoreTape for relief from pain and faster recovery from aching and sore muscles, damaged ligaments, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, strained muscles /tendons and many other overuse injuries. Available in colours black, blue, beige and red and in lengths of either 5M or 31.5M. Hypoallergenic, latex free and waterproof. May be worn for periods as long as 4-5 days.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Kinesiology Tape – 30m Continuous Roll features Mueller’s revolutionary wave adhesive pattern for effective rehabilitation of sore, weak or damaged muscles or joints.
Mueller Sports Medicine Kinesiology Tape – 5m Continuous Roll is a great choice for rapid rehabilitation for your sore, weak or injured muscles and joints. With its revolutionary wave pattern adhesive, it will lift your skin as you move to optimize your circulation and promote early recovery to full health. You cn wear it for up to 5 days at a time. Made from pure high grade cotton. Latex free, highly elastic and breathable in order to perform its “lifting” function more effectively.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Kinesiology Tape – I-Strip Roll will help you to treat ligament and other soft tissue injuries as well as repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel.
The Kinesio Pre Cut Starter Set is a combination set that comprises one each of the Kinesio Pre Cuts for the wrist, knee, back, foot, neck & shoulder. Each pre cut comes with instructions and illustrated guides. These help you apply the tape for the maximum therapeutic benefit. This is of particular benefit if you…
Use Kinesio Pre-Cut Application tapes to relieve pain in your foot, back, shoulder, wrist, neck or back. It is also useful for treatment of various injuries. As the pieces are pre-cut, you do not need to cut them before putting them on, which simplifies application.
This is thin and highly elastic tape that can stretch to up to 140% of its original length. If you apply it while it is stretched, the recoil will create a pulling force on the skin. This force will expand the space between the skin and the tissues underneath. The result will be improved circulation of blood and other fluids through the site of your pain. The tape is also latex free.
Kinesio Tex Classic successfully treats a variety of orthopaedic, neuromuscular, neurological and medical conditions. It provides fast and effective pain relief and support for muscle aches and pains and directly targets the fascia (skin layers) and muscle tissue to treat the cause of muscle inflammation and pain.
