Basic Practical Application

of theKinesio Taping®

Method

What can this voodoo tape be used for? Virtually everything….

AC Joint

Achilles Tendonitis

ACL

BicepTendonitis

Hallux Valgus

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Brachial Plexus

BursitisElbow

Patella Tendonitis

Scoliosis

Medial/LateralEpicondylitis

Headaches

Shin Splints

So, who is using this stuff anyway?

United States Postal Service Cycling Team

Lance Armstrong● "Something better than

any laser, wrap, or electric massager....The Tape. It is a special hot-pink athletic tape that came from Japan and seemed to have special powers. Every morning before the stage, they would tape us all up, different parts of our bodies...George's back, Chechu's knees. Sometimes we'd be so wrapped up in hot-pink tape that we'd look like dolls, a bunch of broken dolls. But the next day the pain disappeared--it was gone." by Lance Armstrong "Every Second Counts"

Medical Practitioners●Primary markets

being DC’s, PT’s, OT’s, ATC’s, MD’s, and MT’s.

●Over 18,000 (2004) practitioners purchased Kinesio Tex Tape.

●Currently over 40,000 rolls of KT sent out monthly, compared to only 36 rolls per year in 1998.

What is the difference between this and the other taping techniques?

●There are three main taping techniques recognized in the United States; White Athletic Taping, McConnell Taping Technique®, and Kinesio Taping®

Technique.

White Athletic Taping

●White athletic taping is the most commonly used taping technique in the U.S. Using a white athletic tape that is extremely rigid and requires a pre-tape prior to using the white athletic tape. Used for acute and preventative injuries. Left on for a short period of time typically applied immediately prior to an activity and taken off immediately thereafter. Causes skin irritation due to the entrapment of moisture, high latex content, and high compression of the skin, joints, and muscles due to the wrapping technique. No rehabilitative purposes or benefits.

McConnell Taping Technique

●McConnell Taping® is a bracing or strapping technique using a super-rigid, cotton mesh highly-adhesive tape (EnduraTape®, LuekoTape®). Most commonly used for patellofemoral, shoulder subluxation, lumbar, foot, and hip impingement. Left on the persons for no more than 18 hours due to in-adverse skin reaction. Typically left on for a shorter period of time due to its constricting and suffocating feel. Affects bio-mechanics of patient. Primarily used for neuromuscular re-education of the affected condition. Widely accepted by the medical community.

Kinesio® Taping Technique●Kinesio® Taping Technique is a therapeutic

taping technique, not only offering your patient or athlete the support they are looking for, but it actually rehabilitates the affected condition as well. Using a highly specific designed tape that works with the body allowing full ROM, and in most cases improves ROM, will not affect bio-mechanics of the patient. No latex in the product making it skin sensitive and safe to use from pediatric to geriatric populations. No compression on the skin making it “light to the feel” allowing comfortable wear over a 3-5 day period. Water resistant fabric that wicks away the moisture as well as giving the patient the ability to bathe as normal. Works with the lymphatic system to increase circulation of blood/lymph in order to rehabilitate and relieve pain. Used for virtually all clinical conditions.

Four Major Physiological Effects of Kinesio Taping®

1. Skin Function: Endogenous Analgesic System Function: relieves pain or abnormal feeling on the skin & muscles. Stimulation of skin.2. Muscle Function: supports the Muscle in Movement (Expanding Effects). Elastic properties of tape replicates and enhances the function of muscle fibers and tendon.3. Lymphatic Function: removes congestion of lymphatic fluid or hemorrhages under the skin. Stimulates the mechanisms that facilitate the movement of lymphatic and interstitial fluids.4. Joint Function: corrects misalignment of the joint. Improves the alignment of structure through its affect on muscle/ fascia and pain.

How Kinesio Taping® Works4 Major Functions

Supports Muscle

Removes Congestion

Corrects Joint Problems

Activates Endogenous Analgesic System

Avoid Injury and Cramps

Avoid Injury and Cramps

Increases Range of Motion

Improves Blood and Lymph Circulation

Removes Excess Heat and Chemical Substance

Reduces Inflammation

Success of Treatment, Training and Rehabilitation

Increases Range of Motion

Increases Range of Motion

Reduces Pain

Reduces Inflammation

Increases Range

of Motion

Reduces Pain

Reduces Inflammation

Skin Function

●Sensory stimuli to mechanical receptors

●Decrease inflammation and pressure on chemical receptors

●Possibly activates spinal inhibitory system -through stimulation of the touch receptors

●Gate Control Theory

Pain ,Pressure, and Space for Flow of Lymphatic Fluid Prior to

Kinesio Taping Application

After Taping Application

Kinesio Taping® Convolutions- Sacrospinalis

Muscle Function

●Improves muscle contraction of a weakened muscle

●Reduces muscle fatigue●Reduces over-extension and

over-contraction●Increases Range of Motion●Relieves pain

Basic Applications ConceptO to I

Origin • InsertionTo relax and rehab overused muscle- Acute

conditions, Muscle Spasm, Edema from Injury

I to O

Insertion • OriginTo support weak muscle-chronic conditions,

Athletic Muscle Support

Principle of Kinesio Taping® Weak Muscle Support

Origin to Insertion- Deltoid Muscle

Lymphatic Function

●Improves blood and lymphatic circulation

●Opens lymphatic drainage directly under skin

●Reduces excess heat and chemical substances in tissue

●Reduces inflammation●Reduces abnormal feeling and pain

in skin and muscle

Kinesio Taping after 12 Hours

Joint Function

●Adjusts misalignment caused by spasms and shortened muscle

●Normalizes muscle tone and abnormality of fascia involved

●Improves range of motion●Relieves pain

Cerebral Palsy

Before TapingPhoto Courtesy of

Audrey Yasakawa, OT, CKTI

Cerebral Palsy

After Taping

Photo Courtesy of

Audrey Yasakawa, OT, CKTI

Benefits of Kinesio Taping

●Assists in the re-education of a weakened muscle

●Helps reduce muscle fatigue●Assists to limit an over-extension

and over-contraction of muscle tissue

●Reduces occurrence of cramping ●Reduces Pain

Benefits of Kinesio, continued

●Reduces inflammation●Reduces edema●Assists in improvement of range of

motion●Aids in removal of hemorrhages●Assists in overall joint function

Qualities of Kinesio Tape which Make it Unique

●Elasticity of up to 130-140% of resting length

●100% Acrylic heat sensitive adhesive●Stretches along longitudinal axis only●Thickness and weight approx. same as

skin, therefore skin does not perceive tape●No medicinal properties in tape, and NO

LATEX●Able to be worn for several days, able to

shower with tape applied●Tape is applied to paper substrate with a

10% stretch

Types of Kinesio Tex Tapes

Kinesio Clinical Therapeutic Manual

Clinical Kinesio Taping

Kinesio Scissors

Kinesio Tape Cutting Techniques

Roll the tape away with fingertip

Pull away from the Backing

Tape Removal from Backing

Deltoid0016-GH-XX

(WB3, Pg. 48)● The deltoid muscle being the major

muscle in external rotation of the humerus, is composed of anterior medial and posterior fibers.

● The anterior fibers cause flexion and internal rotation of the arm, while the medial fibers give rise to the abduction and the posterior fibers cause extension and external rotation. Especially the angle created by flexion through the medial fibers is small, so as to average the strong pressure being applied among the muscles.

● Furthermore, when viewing from the spinal nerve root (C5,C6) raising of the arm becomes difficult.

Image provided courtesy of Primal Pictures, Ltd.© 2006-2009 All Rights Reserved.

Deltoid

Origin ● Anterior Fibers-the anterior border and

upper surface of the lateral 1/3 of the clavicle.

● Medial Fibers-Lateral border and upper surface of the acromion process.

● Posterior Fibers-Lower lip of the posterior borders of the spine of the scapula.

Insertion● Rough surface of the deltoid muscle

which is adjacent to the humerus.Nerve

● C6, C7Tape Specifications

● Width 2”, Length 8”, Y-Shape TapeClinical Applications

● Chronic shoulder dislocation, AC dislocations

© 2006 Kinesio Taping Association

Deltoid Application

● First, flex elbow joint to 90 degrees and raise horizontally to one’s shoulder to find head of deltoid.

● Using a 8 in. “Y” tape, adhere base of “Y” to insertion of deltoid muscle, then extend the shoulder and apply tape to anterior fibers of the deltoid.

© 2006 Kinesio Taping Association

Deltoid Application

● Next, take hold of tape for posterior portion of deltoid.

● Again bring arm back to horizontally abducted position and flex elbow to 90 degrees.

● Adhere tape to posterior fibers of the deltoid.

© 2006 Kinesio Taping Association

Deltoid Application

● With shoulder lowered and arm in normal position.

● Completed taping.

© 2006 Kinesio Taping Association

Sacrospinalis0100-TR-XX

(WB2, Pg. 12)● The sacrospinalis is the generic member of the erector spinae in the thoracic and lumbar regions.

● Anterior member of the erector spinae group is the iliocostalis which, while being insufficient on its own to move the body forward or to maintain an erect posture, is very strong in resistance to extension, hyperextension, and lateral flexion.

Image provided courtesy of Primal Pictures, Ltd.© 2006-2009 All Rights Reserved.

Sacrospinalis

Origin● Iliocostalis Lumbarum-Crest of sacrum

medial lip of iliac crest, spines of lumbar vertebrae and 11th and 12th thoracic vertebae.

● Longissimus Lumbarum- Transerverse process of lumbar vertebrae.

Insertion● Iliocostalis Lumbarum- Into angles of

5th-12th ribs.● Longissmus Lumbarum- Transeverse

process of lumbar vertebrae six segments above.

Nerve● Dorsal branch of spinal nerve

Tape Specifications● Width 2”, Length 11”, Y-Shape Tape

Clinical Applications● Lumbar pain symptoms

© 2003 Kinesio Taping Association

Sacrospinalis Application

● The patient stands.● Next, affix the origin of

“Y” tape over the center of the sacrum.

© 2003 Kinesio Taping Association

Sacrospinalis Application

● As the patient gradually flexes forward, adhere one end of the “Y” tape along the erector spinae muscle.

© 2003 Kinesio Taping Association

Sacrospinalis Application

● Keeping a 5 degree angle within the valley of the “Y” tape, adhere the opposite tail along the other side in the same manner as the previous one.

© 2003 Kinesio Taping Association

Sacrospinalis Application

● Sacrospinalis tape when body is in a neutral, standing position.

● Completed taping.

© 2003 Kinesio Taping Association

Ligament/Tendon Correction-Cont.

●Tendon technique: Tape over tendon is applied with moderate to severe, 50-75% of available tension.

●For both techniques the practitioner may apply full, 100% of available tension.

Ligament Correction Technique

●Apply the base of tape with no tension. Hold the tape end to ensure that no tension will be placed on the base.

Ligament Correction Technique -cont.

● Apply severe to full, 75-100% of available tension along the approximate position of ligament, with patient in a functional position (e.g.: knee 20-30 degrees of flexion).

Ligament Correction Technique -cont.

● Slide the hand that was holding tension at the base up to the origin of the ligament.

● Move the joint through a full range of motion prior to final base strip application.

Tendon Correction Application Technique

Tendon Correction Technique

● Apply the end of tape with no tension.

● Hold the end of to ensure that no tension will be placed on the base of the tape.

Tendon Correction Technique cont.

●Apply moderate to severe, 50-75% of available tension along the length of the tendon, with patient in a stretched position.

●Remember to reduce tension over belly of muscle for either origin to insertion or insertion to origin application.

Tendon Correction Technique cont.

●Slide the hand that was holding tension on the base up to the end of tension position.

●Lay down the base or tails of the tape with appropriate tension for I to O or O to I application.

Biofreeze® Topical Analgesic at Work Kinesiotape® Protocol

●Biofreeze® Cryospray can be used with the Kinesio Tape® method

●Protocol: After taping the skin, spray Biofreeze® topical analgesic directly on tape; re-apply spray up to 4 times a day with tape

Michael McGillicuddy L.M.T.

●Central Florida School of Massage ●450 North Lakemont Avenue●Winter Park, Florida 32792●407-673-6776●www.massagetherapy.cc●SpiritMcG@AOL.COM