Hey, below you will find some questions that I hear quite often about kinesio taping. Take a look if you have any questions or are just curious about the modality…

• What is Kinesio Taping?

Kinesio Tape is a material of 100% cotton with a 100% poly-acrylic adhesive. It’s hypoallergenic (no latex) and water-resistant and breathable. It can be worn even during strenuous exercise. It can provide support and stability, without adversely affecting healthy ranges of motion.

Kinesio Taping is a rehabilitative technique that is designed to assist the body in its own natural healing process. It provides support and stability to muscles, joints and fascia.

• What can it be used for?

It can be used in acute cases of inflammation to promote lymphatic drainage. It can also interrupt the pain signal to the brain and provide relief to injuries. It will not completely mask the pain, but help to decrease the sensation.

Kinesio tape can be effective in re-establishing functional joint stability with joint sprains. This can protect against further trauma.

Poor posture is a very common reason people seek out kinesio taping. Taping a person in proper posture can help correct their imbalances. Kinesio tape can also be applied to help support the growing fetus in the later stages of pregnancy.

Some people also seek out kinesio taping for an enhancement for their natural performances. This is achieved indirectly by: a decreased risk or repetitive strain, decreased onset of muscular fatigue and reduced occurrence of muscular cramping.

• Can I still shower/bathe/swim?

Absolutely! It is water-resistant and any water activity will not affect the tape. I do recommend patting the tape dry to keep from pulling the edges up.

• How long does it last for?

5+ days if generally the length the tape should last. However, sometimes it may not stick well if applied directly after a massage therapy treatment, due to the oil. If that is the case, I personally will re-tape at no charge.

• Are there any special considerations to know about?

Try to avoid getting lotion or oils on the tape, this will degrade the adhesive and make it fall off quicker. Also, be sure to lift any clothes up and over the tape rather than dragging it across, this will prevent the edges from pulling up.

• How do I remove the tape?

The tape can easily be removed by putting any oil (coconut/vegetable/olive) on the tape. The oil will degrade the adhesive and make it easier to remove. DO NOT remove when the tape is wet from water, this creates a suctioning effect and will potentially make the removal painful.

• Are there any contraindications? (Reasons it can not be used)

Yes. Kinesio tape can not be placed on broken skin, severely irritated skin, rash and sunburn.

I hope this post helps! If you have any other questions, feel free to post below or contact me directly.

Take care,

xoxo, Amy