Kinesio

Taping (KT)
BY D LAKSHMI PRAKASH
What is Taping?
Def: Taping is a technique which applies either inhibits or facilitates movement with its application.

Aims of Taping
Tape may be used to:

1.Stabilize or support an injury

2.Relieve pain by de-loading vulnerable or painful structures

3.Facilitate normal movement, muscle action, or postural patterns.

Types of Taping
A. Kinesio Taping

B. McConnell Taping

C. Rigid Taping

D. Mulligan Taping

E. Neutral Taping

Every taping technique holds separate history along with separate author.
Kinesio Taping
History:
 The Kinesio Taping technique and Kinesio Tex tape was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1979.
 Main objective of developing Kinesio Taping technique was to maintain Range of motion.
Introduction
 It is a definitive rehabilitative taping and a protective technique designed to facilitate the body’s
natural healing process while providing full range of motion along with support and stability to
muscles and joints supportive structures.
 It is a treatment approach used for acute, subacute and chronic illness.
Role of Kinesio Taping
 Initially, tape is applied to protect the injured structure during the treatment and rehabilitation
program.

 To compress recent injury, thus reducing bleeding and swelling.

To protect from further injury by supporting ligaments, tendons and muscles,

To limit unwanted joint movement.

To allow optimal healing without stressing the injured structures.

Principles of Kinesiological Taping
 Based on science of kinesiology, that body’s muscles are responsible for the movement of and in the
body as well as being in control of blood circulation and temperature.

 That’s why impaired muscles, are high risk area.

 kinesiological principle is to just support the natural healing power of body itself.
Mechanism
 Potential skin lifting causes effect on circulation, sub dermal vacuum, tissue decompression,
promotes fluid flow.

Recoil effect helps to shortening or lengthening of the tissue.

 No hard rule for taping,it can be applied to almost every condition.

Properties of Kinesio Taping
 Consists of 100% acrylic glue, which is a hypoallergic substance, making it suitable for application
to all the individuals.

 Glue is designed of fixed sine wave pattern.

 The tape is woven in such way that it can be stretched only in a particular longituidinal direction and
not in a transverse direction.

 Last 3-5 days.

Water resistant.
Effects of Kinesiology Taping
 Pain relief: The tape direction applied can be such a way to provide corrective movement or inhibit
the painful movement. The space technique described under KT, lifts off the muscle so that, the lymphatic
fluid gets drained out which are located underneath.

 Improvement of circulation: The tape creates space between muscle and fascia, also between
skin and fascia thus improving blood circulation.

Enhances Proprioception: Correct movement at the attained by KT application induces

proprioceptive enhancement.

Fascial correction; the fascia correction technique of taping induces the fascial mobility so
that they myofascial adhesions are reduced in number.
Continued
 Enhances lymphatic drainage: A technique of KT known as lymphatic drainage technique
creats and maintains interosseous space, thus providing a way for drainage.

Supports Joints: by supporting the ligaments and fascia surrounding it.

Prevent injuries: it can also be used as a preventive measures in order to support the joint
and muscle before re-injury of the muscle/fascia/tendon/ligament.
Theoretical Benefits
 Uses
Relieve pain

Improve joint stability

Enhance athlete confidence

Reduce injury recurrence

Prevent injury

Reduce strain on injured or vulnerable tissues

Correct faulty biomechanics

Facilitate muscle action

Enhance proprioception

Compress in the presence of edema or lymphatic drainage

Inhibit muscle action

 Types of Application
•Y

•I

•X

•Fan

•Web

•Donut
 Y Taping
 The tension is dispersed through and between two tails over the target tissue

Used to surround muscle

 The muscle moves towards the base

 Should be 2 inches longer than target muscle

I Taping
 The tape is applied by first applying the base and then by stretching the tape and applying the tail.

This technique helps in either stimulating or inhibiting muscle.

X Tape application
 Tension is dispersed directly over target tissue

through tails at each end such that,

the muscle is pulled toward the centre.

 Fan shaped/Web tape
applications
 Tension is disprersed over the target tissue through

multiple tails, mainly used for edema

Usually used for pedal and hand edema so

that tails are over each interosseous

space thus maintaining / increasing the

space and helps in edema drainage.

 The edema drains towards the base of

the tape, it is important to place the

base of the tape in the direction of

lymph nodes.
Type of application Stretch
• Muscle should be elongated prior to application

• KT requires none to partial stretch

•Stretch results in skin convolutions whether they are visible or not they are present

• Would rather have too little than too much stretchis better

•Tension is generated by therapist demand

•Always remember- Less is better

Kinesiological Tape Tensioning
Type of application direction
INSERTION TO ORIGIN ORIGIN TO INSERTION

o Used to facilitate weak or underperforming

o Used to inhibit overused or stretched muscles muscles

o Light stretch used to achieve goal o Light to moderate stretch required

Types of taping techniques
 Space technique

 Muscle technique

Ligament/ correction technique

Fascia technique

 Lymphatic drainage technique

Indications
 Muscle imbalance

 Postural faults

 Circulatory and lymphatic conditions

 Fascial adhesions and scars

 Musculoskeletal conditions

 Bells and facial palsy

Contraindications
 Malignancy

Infection, Cellulitis

 DVT

Open wound
Precautions
 Diabetes

 CHF

Dialysis/ Kidney disease

 Organ transplant

 Pregnency
Guidelines for taping
 prepare the area to taped

 wash, dry and shave the skin in a downward direction

 remove oils for better adhesion

 cover broken lesions before taping; an electric shaver avoids cutting the skin

 Apply lubricate protective padding to friction and pressure areas.

 Apply under wrap for sensitive skin.

Evidence
 Kinesio taping application should be chosen based on the patients assessment and targeting the
primary tissue affected.

Example- Patellofemoral pain syndrome can have twenty different aetiologies, from problems with
foot alignment to trunk muscle strength, requiring completely different taping applications.

EVIDENCE SUPPORT;

 Increase ROM

Improve function

Decrease oedema/ swelling

Decrease pain and Improvement in Quality of life