I took a continuing Education course yesterday that was very interesting....
Rocktape Functional Movement Techniques. (FMT-1)
Rocktape is changing the game for Kinesiology tape, they provide a far superior product compared to other tapes on the market {stays on better and longer}. I have tried many brands while practicing as a PT, multiple techniques and on a wide population of clients. You can tape to facilitate, engage, compress, lower pain, increase support, or whatever other effect you want to have on the body. This course was interesting because it teaches taping for FUNCTION {that big buzz word PTs like to use}. Company slogan is on point too "We're more than just a tape company, we are a MOVEMENT company." Some techniques we practiced went along with the book I am currently reading ANATOMY TRAINS by Thomas Myers. Great read to learn about functional anatomical lines based on myofascial relationships.
I guarantee you will see a TON of this stuff at the Summer Olympics in Rio. Here is your crash course in Kinesiology tape so you can answer the question when someone asks:
What the hell is Kerri Walsh wearing on her shoulder? {She plays Beach Volleyball BTW}
What is Kinesiology Tape?
The tape was originated by Dr. Kenzo Kase in mid-1970s Japan. Outside layer feels like a thin, flexible fabric, inner layer is very sticky to adhere to the skin. When applied correctly it can stay on for a few days. Tape comes in all shapes and sizes, application techniques are endless.
What does it do?
While there is currently no research to prove how Kinesiology Tape works. Many people FEEL that it affects the skin, muscle, fascia, joint or movement. In my opinion {along with many health and wellness practitioners, athletes, dancers, or anyone else who uses tape} it helps to:
Assist Movement
Optimize Function
Control Pain
Feed the Brain
Reinforce proper Posture
What is your largest organ?
Thats right......SKIN. it is also an extension of the brain, your skin receives communication from the outside world/environment and sends signals to your brain. Without going too deep into physiology we call this Neuro-Sensory Input {Basically your sense of touch}. Another sensation that everyone deals with at some point is PAIN.
Lets take an example.....you accidentally close the car door before removing your hand. SMASH right into your finger...What happens? Before you can even yell a 4 letter word, your skin senses a threat....PAIN, this signal goes up to your brain.
The next thing you do is squeeze that finger with the opposite hand, compression provides relief. When you apply pressure to the injury site you send more sensory information into the nervous system, which distracts the BRAIN from the PAIN. When tape is applied to skin it provides a LIFT- OFF EFFECT this allows more fluid flow under the skin and layers of fascia. When pressure inside the skin is decreased, it relieves pressure from NOCICEPTORS {Pain receptors} which can decrease your pain sensation.
Kinesiology tape takes advantage of these two aspects of the nervous system. It provides feedback to the skin for communication to the brain, which allows you to have better control of a body part.
As for pain relief the simple feeling of tape touching skin increases sensory information to decrease pain. With tape techniques were are addressing a different pain stimulus than the car door situation. Taping is used to provide pain relief from overstressed tissues, muscle imbalances, or poor posture. Examples are shoulder impingement, low back pain, edema control, achilles tendinitis, among other ailments.
Here I am after a full day of taping {This is merely for learning purposes, I would NOT do this to a client}
So if kinesiology tape helps my dancer feel better in Plie, a mom get shoulder relief from carrying her toddler, or a football player turn his hips better to intercept a pass....Then I'm definitely putting it on, patient satisfaction is my number 1 goal. As quoted from on of my favorite athletes of all time "PRIME TIME" Deion Sanders:
"If you look good, you feel good, if you feel good, you play good, if you play good they pay good."
I really love the creativity that comes along with taping clients, you can tape for virtually any musculoskeletal condition. There are tons of videos online about taping techniques, I'm looking forward to using these as guidelines, but also exploring all possibilities to help my clients achieve their goals.
~Take Care