What does "kinesiology tape" really mean?
“Kinesiology” is the study of muscular movement or the biomechanics of human motion.
“Tape” is a strip of flat material (cotton, metal, paper, plastic) with an adhesive backing for the purpose of sticking to something else.
So when we add the words together making “kinesiology tape” it doesn’t make literal sense but it refers to a tape that we stick on the human body, specifically to enhance the movement of muscles.
In many ways, I prefer the term “elastic therapeutic tape” because it a better descriptor for its properties but it should not be confused with “athletic tape” which is the inelastic white cotton bandage used by trainers to all but eliminate movement around a joint. This is the tape typically used on ankle sprains where the goal is to limit movement and compress the swollen tissues.
Many brands have capitalized on the general term, kinesiology tape by using an associated name, Kinesio-Tape™, KT Tape™, K-Tape™ but there are others like RockTape™ and SpiderTech™ that are different. All brands have similar features (albeit there are quality differences) and are intended for a similar use.
How does kinesiology taping work?
Anything that touches our body’s biggest organ, the skin, stimulates skin receptors which signals the brain to have a better sense of movement and position at that location.
Also, by stimulating large skin receptors, kinesiology taping can interfere with pain sensing cells, which decreases pain perception.
This is the same concept as “rubbing a sore spot”…it gives the pain sensing skin cells something else to report.
For a more graphic explanation of this concept go to, "what does kinesiology taping really do?
Recent research indicated that kinesiology tape has a greater effect when a person is injured or fatigued. The researchers evaluated body sway in individuals with and without tape. They found that the tape showed very little change in the rested condition, but when the subjects were fatigued, the tape provided an added stimulatory effect through the skin.
While science is unlikely to discover that kinesiology tape is the answer for all aches and injuries, medical practitioners are discovering the vast possibilities in treating patient complaints.
Can kinesiology taping be harmful?
There are currently no reported dangers associated with kinesiology tape. It is simply an elastic cotton mesh bandage.
Common sense comes into play. It is not recommended over open sores and there is a small percentage of the population that will develop a rash under the tape due to:
- allergy to the adhesive
- stretching the tape too much
- leaving it on the skin too long
Kinesiology tape breathes well and flexes like a second skin, unlike most braces that act more like an abrasive shell. It withstands sweat and/or water and is by most comparisons, inexpensive.
Who invented kinesiology tape?
Despite the ostensibly recent, techni-coloured appearance on the world stage, kinesiology tape has been in use for over 35 years. Japanese chiropractor, Kenzo Kase, is credited as it’s developer but it took 50,000 free rolls and gold medal beach volleyball athlete, Kerri Walsh (2008 Olympic Games) before eyebrows were raised.
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