This is the time of the year that outdoor sports are prevalent in Northfield. It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt. Some people just deal with the issue, but others are more hurt and want to help out the healing process the best way that they can. So what are those Olympic volleyball players wearing on their shoulders?
That last sentence seemed like it was out of nowhere, but it is also Olympic season, and it has relevance to summertime injuries. Those volleyball players are wearing kinesiology tape. I have found it to be quite beneficial for all kinds of problems facing my patients.
So what is kinesiology tape? Kinesiology 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. Kinesiology taping is a technique based on the body’s own natural healing process. This kinesiology 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.
Traditionally when a person hurts themselves immobilization is the method for treatment. An example of this would be a sprained ankle. If the ankle is injured the method of treatment is to keep it from moving in its natural range of motion. This brings up an issue that can slow the healing process. The kinesiology tape allows the patient the full range of motion giving the proper neurological feedback necessary for proper muscle firing. This is helpful, because if mobilized for a long period of time the gait pattern of the patient is disrupted. This can cause problems in other areas of the body, and it will also slow down the healing process.
Another quality that kinesiology tape has is the fact that is helps with lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage is necessary to help with swelling. Lymphatic drainage is provided primarily by the firing of muscle, and if that muscle is inhibited from firing (i.e. braced), then the drainage would also be inhibited. The kinesiology tape allows for an advancement of healing instead of an inhibition of healing by not only activating the muscles in the proper way, but also giving support to the muscles that cannot fire because of the pain that is being felt.
Kinesiology tape can be used for a number of issues such as; ankle injury, back pain/injury, neck pain/injury, shoulder pain/injury, knee pain/injury, elbow pain/injury, carpal tunnel, lateral epicondylits, and so much more.
There are other benefits of kinesiology tape that will be expanded upon in future blog posts. Now when you see the Olympic volleyball players wearing kinesiology tape it will not be as much of a mystery. Also, when you are out this summer playing games and getting hurt search for a practitioner that uses kinesiology tape. It may be the difference between a long recovery and a short one. For more answers to questions about kinesiology tape please call 507-645-8000, or check out this link.
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