Taping
(Kinesio taping, kinesiology taping, physio tape, sports tape, muscle tape, medical tape)
What is Therapeutic Taping?
Perhaps you have seen athletes with the striking, colorful “adhesive strips” on their bodies? However, these are not a new fashion accessory, but rather therapeutic tapes that serve, among other things, pain therapy. Of course, this is not limited to athletes.
Tapes are elastic cotton bands with a wavy acrylic adhesive layer. They contain no medication and are therefore suitable for treating even pregnant women. Because tapes have the same elasticity and thickness as human skin, they adapt
particularly well to every natural movement of the body. They do not restrict mobility but rather
stabilize it. Due to these properties and the correct application of the tapes, the body’s self-healing powers can be activated.
When applying a tape, the muscles and joints are placed in a
pretensioned position, and then the tape is applied to the skin. This way, the body retains complete freedom of movement while being
stabilized. Once the body part returns to its relaxed position, the tape lifts the skin slightly. This creates spaces between the upper and lower
skin layers, where numerous receptors of nerves, blood, and lymph vessels are located. Since the tape is fixed to the skin, it shifts the layers
against each other with every movement. This constant stimulus is intended to regulate muscle tension by activating various receptors and
trigger a signal transmission to the central nervous system. The gentle massage movement can thus lead to the loosening of connective issue, relief from pain, and an improvement in metabolism as well as blood and lymph flow. For these reasons, therapeutic taping is often used as a complementary treatment method. Tapes are used for various complaints and injuries, but also for prevention and rehabilitation, for example, in cases of:
– Muscle injuries (pain, overstrain, inflammation, fiber tears…)
– Joint injuries (pain, overstrain, inflammation, swelling, instability…)
– Ligament injuries (pain, overstrain, inflammation, ligament tears…)
– Lymphatic congestion
– Bruises and strains
– Instabilities
– Loosening of tissue hardening
– Stimulating metabolic processes
– Preventing injuries
The tape remains on the skin for four to seven days and is breathable and waterproof.
Warning: Rarely, itching or redness may develop at the site oft he tape. In this case please remove the tape immediately.