Elastic Therapeutic (Kinesio) Tape possibilities in patients with scoliosis.

Esther de Ru PT, OMT, PPT Centro Mar y Salud Spain GoPhysio Netherlands estherderu@gmail.com

INTRODUCING TAPE AS AN EXTRA TREATMENT MODALITY TAPE USE IN POSTURAL & PAIN RELATED SCOLIOSIS
Chiropractor dr. Kenzo Kase developed Kinesio tape and the Kinesio Taping Tape can be used to facilitate better posture, enhance activity of the
Method in 1979. This therapeutic tape is made of elastic cotton and has underlying weak muscles and relieve pain.
hypo-allergenic glue. It has been applied to paper under a certain amount of
stretch. Its glue has a wave-like pattern and allows for ventilation and
evaporation. It can stay on for a number of days. It stretches along its
longitudinal axis only. The tape is available in many brands and colours
nowadays. Many health professionals have been trained to use this tape.

Hypothesis as to how this tape works are numerous. In the last few years
more research into why the tape works has been carried out.*
Only a few articles speak of using tape in scoliosis patients. **
In numerous research articles the positive effects of tape on pain have been
documented***. Elastic therapeutic tape (ETT) can be used on clients of all
ages. Breathing difficulties, problems with proprioception, balance &
stability, problems arising from hypertonia & hypotonia, functional strength
problems, posture related problems, organ dysfunction and decreased ROM 72 yr old lady: postural collapse, pain and weak pelvic floor muscles
have all been perceived to be influenced by applying ET-Tape in the clinic.

TAPE CAN BE USED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS IN PATIENTS WITH SCOLIOSIS

1. to relieve pain
2. to act as a continuous sensory reminder
3. through activation of underlying muscles

TAPE USE IN JUVENILE (JS) & IDIOPATHIC ADOLESCENT SCOLIOSIS (IAS)

Tape can be used as an adjunct by trained scoliosis therapists to facilitate
the treatment given. Taping without sufficient background knowledge is not
recommended. The direction of a given manual stimulus can be copied with
a small tape. This ’24-hour sensory reminder’ is used to assist the patient
78 yr old lady: kyphoscoliosis pain after fall, contusion left floating ribs.
maintain the active 3D posture. Learning effect has been observed.
TAPE USE IN SCOLIOSIS IN NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS
Tape can be very helpful for treating children and adults with pulmonary
and other organ related disorders. Tape can also be applied to areas of pain
or muscle spasm. Tape can also be considered as a treatment option when
the brace cannot be worn.

10 yr old girl: reminder tape in SEAS postural exercise

Left: Bedridden, wheelchair bound 12 yr old girl with neurodevelopmental

and cognitive delay during weeks without brace GMFCS level V.
Right: 11 yr old child with CNS disorder, scoliosis and serious pulmonary
distress GMFCS level V.

15 yr old girl: reminder tape in SEAS postural exercise

TAPE USE IN ADULT SCOLIOSIS KEY MESSAGES:

* Elastic Therapeutic Tape applications has been
perceived to relieve pain and influence organ
dysfunction in the clinical practice.
* ET-Tape should only be applied by professionals
with sufficient knowledge of 3D scoliosis treatment
methods in children with JS or AIS.
* The 24 hour ‘sensory reminder tape’ application
should be used with great care. If not done properly
it can also do harm.

45 yr old lady: reminder tape in Schroth breathing exercise

*References:
* Motion Tracking on Elbow Tissue from Ultrasonic Image Sequence for Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis (Ultrasonic Imaging shows muscle chance directly under the tape)
Study: Yuh-Hwan Liu ; Shu-Min Chen ; Chi-Yi Lin ; Chung-l Huang ; Yung-Nien Sun (2007) * Activation of cerebral cortex in various regions after using Kinesio tape. Study: Akio Mori & Masaki Takasaki (2005) using brain wave analysis software EMSE
* Degrading postural performance after muscle fatigue can be compensated with skin stimulation.Study: T. Thedon, K.Mandrick, M. Foissac, D. Mottet, S. Perrey (2011) * Effects of Patellar Taping on Brain Activity During Knee Joint Proprioception Tests
Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Study Michael J. Callaghan, Shane McKie, Paul Richardson, Jacqueline A. Oldham. (2012) * Effects of Kinesio-taping on performance with respect to fatigue in rugby players: a pilot study by G
Strutzenberger, J Moore, H Griffiths, H Schwameder & G Irwin (2013) * The effect of kinesiology taping and muscle fatigue on movement control in the shoulder joint- preliminary report Study Slupik, A. Bialoszewski D, Korabiewska, I using HUMAC360
equipment.
** Bac Aneta et al (2009) Efficacy of kinesiology taping in the rehabilitation of children with low-angle scoliosis FP 2009 9(3) ICID 894681 ** Maruyama S (2001) Kinesio taping for scoliosis Japan Int. KT Symposium 2001 pg 31-33 ** Sliwinski Zbigniew
et al (2007) Kinesiotaping application in children with scoliosis FP2007;7(3):370-375 ICID 511052 ** Eyting S.B. et al (2009) Medical taping en een ideopathische scoliose; een goede relatie? June 2009. www.tapingbase.com accessed 15 februari 2011.
** Paulsen B. Bürgel A. (2008) Het effect van medical tape op de houding van scoliose patiënten.2008 Accessed 15 februari 2011. www.tapingbase.com
*** list of articles can be obtained from the author.