What is Kinesio Taping?

If you watched any coverage of the 2008 or 2012 Summer Olympics, most likely you heard about kinesio taping and saw its brightly-colored strips on athletes from Serena Williams to Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings. But the press coverage may have left you wondering what was so special about the tape, where did it come from, and why were so many athletes wearing it? While the tape does stand out, its purpose and benefits far exceed the level of a fashion statement.

The kinesio taping method is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/day basis. It is a non-restrictive type of taping which allows for full range of motion. The concept of kinesio taping has been used in the fields of sports performance, pain management and physical therapy for thirty years. The first form of this tape was created in the mid-1970’s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a well-known Japanese practitioner licensed in chiropractic and acupuncture.

Kinesio Tape is used for anything from headaches to foot problems and everything in between. Examples include muscular facilitation or inhibition in pediatric patients, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back strain/pain (subluxations, herniated disc), knee conditions, shoulder conditions, hamstring, groin injury, rotator cuff injury, whiplash, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, patella tracking, pre- and post-surgical edema, ankle sprains, athletic preventative injury method, and as a support method.

How Does Kinesio Taping Work?

Kinesio taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for preventive maintenance, edema, and to treat pain. Kinesio taping is a technique based on the body’s own natural healing process. Kinesio taping exhibits its efficacy through the activation of neurological and circulatory systems. This method basically stems from the science of kinesiology, hence the name “Kinesio.”

Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Therefore, the failure of the muscles to function properly induces various kinds of symptoms. Consequently, so much attention was given to the importance of muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body’s own healing process came about. Using an elastic tape, it was discovered that muscles and other tissues could be helped by outside assistance. Employment of kinesio taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles, and organs. This specialized taping method can be used to produce such results as…

  • Re-education of the neuromuscular system
  • Reduction of pain
  • Optimization of performance
  • Injury prevention
  • Promotion of improved circulation and healing

The kinesio taping method is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It is used to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and medical conditions. The kinesio taping method and the CKTP (Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner) training protocol have shown results that would have been unheard of using older methods and materials.

What is a CKTP?

To receive the greatest benefit from the kinesio taping method, taping should only be applied by a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner (CKTP) such as Dr. Seth Alley, DC, CKTP. This is a finesse technique and requires a considerable amount of hands-on training to understand the many applications. In order to become recognized as a CKTP through the Kinesio Taping Association International (KTAI), a practitioner must complete three levels of training courses as well as successfully pass the CKTP Exam in order to receive the distinction of a CKTP. Dr. Alley has utilized this effective taping method to obtain substantially positive results for patients ranging from competitive atheletes to those involved in motor vehicle accidents. No matter your injury or activity level, kinesio taping and its proper application by a CKTP such as Dr. Alley can take your performance or recovery and