Kinesio Tape . . . special magic?

Recently, I attended a class to learn about "Kinesio Taping". Kinesio Tape first came to my attention while I was watching the summer olympics and I saw volley ball players with these pink or blue stripes on their bodies. At first, I thought it was part of the uniform. Closer observation, revealed that it was some type of athletic tape . The weird thing was the way it was applied. It didn't make sense to put tape on the abdomen and lower back. So began my interest in finding out what type of therapy  this was.

Well I found the Kinesio Taping Association International and attended a seminar. All I can say is wow. First let me give you a little information about the association.
Dr. Kenzo Kase is originally from Japan he invented and developed the Kinesio Taping Method 30 years ago. He is a certified DC in the US and has Kase Chiropractic Clinic in Tokyo, Japan. Kinesio Tex Tape is the only tape with 30 years of clinical research, application and usage ( including nearly 500 studies in 25 countries ).

I went to the seminar not convinced that all the claims of success where true. In fact, I was hoping to see proof that it was bogus, get my CEUs and get back home.
That was until I got my shoulder taped. My first thought was "placebo effect" because it was couple of hours later when I had no pain and increased range of motion. The next day I felt stronger in my shoulder and still had full range of motion. I kept the tape on for 3 days ( they recommend 3 - 5 days) and removed it when I got home. It's been several weeks now and some of the range of motion is marginally less but the pain is still gone. Makes me wonder what would have happened if I had left it on for 5 days.

 I will be incorporating the Kinesio Taping method in my practice because the clinical applications stretch way beyond sports related therapies. For example, mayofascial releases are enhanced when used in conjunction with the Kensio tex tape. Lymphatic drainage techniques also benefit from the tape. Pain and swelling from injuries are treatable too.

There is no special magic about the tape other than the engineering of how it is produced. The adhesives are latex free and the tape itself is a light weight cotton.
How it is applied is the beauty of the therapy. There is no restriction in movement and no binding pressure. The tape works with the fascia in your body. Stimulating it in a way that causes the body to react in a certain way that creates the desired therapeutic effect.

one love,
chuck