K-taping

Application and removal of the tape:

• During its manufacture, the K-Tape is applied with a slight stretch of
10% to the backing paper. This stretch should be retained during the
application of the tape strips.
(Important Despite this pre-stretching, the application is referred to as
unstretched)
• Depending on the type of application, the tape is affixed unstretched
or with different degrees of pre-stretching. Before the tape is affixed
and the backing paper removed, the tape strips are cut accordingly.
The strips may be cut as I-, Y- , or X-tapes, or, in lymphatic therapy,
fan-shaped and in narrow single strips.
• With few exceptions, K-Taping applications begin with the affixing of a
tension-free base, which is generally the width of two fingers. From
this base, the various tape strips with the required pre-stretch are
affixed, apart from the two finger width ends of the tape strips, which
are applied without stretch.
• Each of the corners of the tape strips should be rounded with
scissors. In this way and by the application of the unstretched base
and ends, premature loosening and undesirable rolling of the tape
ends can be avoided. The rounding of the corners plays a significant
role here, since loosening of sharp corners cannot be prevented
• The skin must be dry and oil-free, optimally Pre-K Gel should also be
applied. Likewise, any thick covering of hair should be removed
beforehand.
• To activate the heat-dependent adhesive properties of the K-Tape, the
therapist should rub the flat of his/her hand several times over the
completed tape application. The respective body areas are still in the
pre-stretched position.
• K-taping applications should be carried out 1 to 2 hours prior to
sporting activities because perspiration reduces the durability of the
application.
Removing of KT
• Removal of K-Taping applications is relatively painless if the tape is wet –
e.g., in the shower. The skin is tightened and the tape removed in the
direction of hair growth.
• Even a short time after affixing the tape, the skin metabolism under the
tape is stimulated due to improvement in blood circulation.
• Particularly during the training courses, when the tapes are removed after
a short time, some participants react with slight reddening of the skin if
the tape is removed after a few hours or the next day. The reason for this
is that the skin is freshly stimulated and the adhesive sticks well. When it is
removed, it is possible that part of the epidermis comes away, which no
longer happens after a few days of wear because the skin renews itself.
Contraindication
So far, there are no known side-effects of K-Taping. However, K-Taping
applications should not be used with the following contraindications :
• open wounds
• scars which have not yet healed
• parchment-like skin, e.g., in acute episodes of neurodermatitis or
psoriasis
• sacral connective tissue massage zone (genital zone) in the first
trimester of pregnancy
• known allergies to acrylic
Muscle application
• Muscle applications are used for increased or reduced resting muscle
tone (hypertonicity, hypotonicity), as well as for injuries to the
musculature, and bring about a normalization of the resting muscle
tone, reduction in pain, and improvement in resilience, which facilitate
more rapid healing.
• Muscle applications are affixed with 10% tape tension. Because the
tape is already pre-stretched by 10% on the roll, this is referred to as an
unstretched application. The patient is placed in a pre-stretched
position and the tape is applied with the 10% pre-stretching to the part
of the body to be treated. Depending on the type of application, K-
Taping can effect increased or decreased tonus.
Executing the Application
1. Measure the required tape strips on the patient with the muscles in the elongated
position.
2. If necessary, cut the tape strips into the appropriate form (e.g., Y-tape).
3. Cut the corners at the tape ends into a rounded form.
4. Place the patient in the resting position.
5. Affix the base.
6. Place the patient in position for the necessary muscle elongation.
7. The therapist affixes the base with one hand and then positions the skin.
8. Affix the tape strips with the other hand along the course of the muscle with 10%
stretch.
9. Rub the affixed tape strips while the muscle is elongated.
Ligaments application
Collateral ligaments
Patellar tendon
Achilles tendon
Lateral collateral ankle