There are differing schools of thought on the methodology for applying RockTape kinesiology tape. Early and persistent
reasoning suggested that origin-insertion, muscle innervation and muscle action
taping best serves to support/stimulate external body areas. This “anatomical
approach” probably makes the most intuitive sense to medical practitioners as
it follows anatomical “rules of engagement.”
Dr. Steven Capobianco, chiropractor and developer of the Fascial
Movement Taping (FMT) method, argues kinesiotaping should
be “based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a
chain… the body’s integration of movement via multi-muscle contractions as a
means of connecting the brain to the body’s uninterrupted fascial web in order
to enhance rehab and athletic performance via cutaneous (skin) stimulation. By
taping movement rather than muscles, FMT has demonstrated greater improvement
in both patient care and sport performance.” (Performance Taping Chain -
Rotational Movement Disfunction)
Dr. Capobianco is not alone in this line of thinking. Leading fascia
researcher, Robert Schleip, PhD, underscores movement and its role in pain and
dysfunction. New research in addressing movement impairment, rather than joint
and muscle pain, has initiated a fast growing movement model.1
Additional support for this model comes from Thomas Myers in his
groundbreaking book, Anatomy Trains.2 He offers a template to
assess, treat and manage body-wide motor dysfunction based on myofascial
meridans, and movement impairment.
Application models aside, how is kinesiology tape theorized to work and
what is the support?
As with anything that touches our body’s biggest organ, kinesiology tape has a cutaneous
mechanoreceptor effect that stimulates those receptors to enhance body
kinesthesia, or movement awareness. By stimulating large skin mechanoreceptors,
kinesiology tape can downgrade painful stimuli from the nociceptors to decrease
pain perception.
Recent research indicates that kinesiology tape has a greater
stimulatory effect on compromised tissue (due to injury and/or fatigue).
Thedon, et al.3 conducted a study to evaluate body sway in
individuals with and without tape. They found that the tape showed very little
change in the uncompromised condition, but when the subjects were fatigued, the
tape provided an added stimulatory effect to the skin helping to compensate for
the loss of information fed to the brain from the muscles and joints. For the
pain and performance community, this study provides insight into the ability of
an “auxiliary” system, such as the skin, to augment treatment and training
outcomes. Some of the “stickier and stretchier” kinesiology tape brands remain
on the skin for up to five days thereby extending the stimulatory effect.
Visual evidence that “something” is happening occurs when kinesiology tape is used on bruising.
The elastic pull on the epidermis/dermis layers creates an area of lower
pressure to assist in fluid dynamics (acute/chronic edema4). The
pre-tape and post-tape photos (please see below) are most compelling. Where the
tape was applied directly to the skin, bruising dissipates more rapidly than
areas without tape.
Kinesio Taping for Pain Management in Ontario CA
A 2012 study 5 of 32 surgeons, showed a statistically significant
reduction in neck and low back pain (using Oswestry Low Back Disability Index
and Neck Disability Index) and functional performance (using neck and low back
range of motion scores) with the use of kinesiotape during surgery. This may
have far-reaching implications for other jobs/activities where sustained
positions result in musculoskeletal pain.
A final and anecdotally successful use for kinesiology tape, also
developed by Dr. Capobianco, is “power taping” during later pregnancy. An
example is the “baby belt” application, which attempts to offload the abdominal
strain by redistributing the stress to the upper scapula-thoracic area. The
tape follows a fascial sling Thomas Myers calls the “spiral and superficial
front lines.” He and other fascial pioneers suggest that skin stimulation
enhances fascial proprioception and as the fascia encompasses the entire body
in a “neuromyofascial web” a broader improvement in body posture results.
Clearly the use of kinesiology
tape is popular (millions of users) and the applications are broad (from
athletic injuries to edema). Specific evidence for efficacy is scant but
growing, and plausible.
There are currently no reported dangers associated with using this
elastic cotton mesh bandage, and the only significant contraindication is on
open wounds. Kinesiology tape breathes well and flexes like a second skin,
unlike most braces that act more like abrasive exoskeletons. It withstands
sweat and/or water and is by most comparisons a cost-effective treatment
modality.
While science is unlikely to discover that kinesiology tape is the panacea for all aches and injuries,
health-care practitioners should keep this tool in the chest due to its vast
possibilities in treating patient complaints.
Visit www.rocktapecanada.com for videos
on how to apply RockTape for kinesiotaping.
Resources to visit:
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