Dr. Smith uses Athletic Taping | ABQ to help support acute injuries; to help decrease chronic inflammation; to increase proprioceptive input; and to stimulate lymphatic drainage. It is especially useful after cupping and lymphatic drainage massage. If you are seeking Kinesio Tape as a treatment in Placitas or the surrounding areas of Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Abq, or Santa Fe call or schedule online.
Athletic Taping | Abq
Kinesio Tape
Kinesio Tape is a flexible type of athletic tape that was innovated by a Japanese Chiropractor in the 1970’s. It has steadily grown in use and popularity ever since. High level athletes and healthcare practitioners alike use the tape worldwide.
The general idea is that the light tug that is put on the skin stimulates proprioceptors therefore increasing the amount of information coming from the taped area to your brain. In theory this improves your control of that area and coordination. In addition, the light pull lifts the skin thereby opening channels into the lymphatic system and stimulating drainage of inflammation.
While the research on its effectiveness is mixed, many people find relief. This is especially true in the case of musculoskeletal injuries. Enough evidence to support the efficacy of Kinesio Tape has surfaced for its use to be reimbursable by Medicare. It is now readily available from both online sellers and local drug stores alike.
Uses in Care
We find taping to be effective for the treatment of a number of common symptoms:
- Acute Inflammation
- Chronic Inflammation
- Lack of joint coordination following injury
- Bruising
- Chronic Pain
- Ankle Pain
- Knee Pain
- Shoulder pain
From the Clinic to the Olympics: The Rise of Kinesio Tape
Have you ever seen athletes sporting colorful, stretchy tape on their bodies? That’s kinesio tape, a popular tool used for pain relief, injury support, and performance enhancement. But where did this vibrant tape come from, and how did it go from a chiropractor’s clinic to the global sporting stage?
A Doctor’s Vision:
The story of kinesio tape begins in the 1970s with Dr. Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor. Dissatisfied with the limitations of traditional rigid athletic tape, Dr. Kase sought a method that supported movement, not restricted it. He envisioned a tape that mimicked the elasticity of human skin and facilitated the body’s natural healing process.
Birth of Kinesio Tex:
After years of experimentation, Dr. Kase created Kinesio Tex, a revolutionary elastic, breathable tape made with cotton and a synthetic fiber. This unique material allowed for full range of motion while providing gentle support and lifting the skin to improve lymphatic drainage and pain relief.
From Japan to the World:
The Kinesio Taping Method gained traction in Japan’s clinical settings before making its international debut at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Athletes like American volleyball player Flo Hyman were early adopters, showcasing the tape’s potential to the world.
The Big Break:
Kinesio tape truly reached mainstream fame at the 2012 London Olympics. From swimmers like Michael Phelps to volleyball players like Kerri Walsh-Jennings, Olympians across various disciplines sported the colorful tape, sparking public curiosity and widespread adoption.
Beyond the Hype:
While research on the effectiveness of kinesio tape is ongoing, its popularity shows no signs of waning. Athletes, physical therapists, and even everyday individuals use it for various purposes, from pain relief to injury prevention and performance enhancement.
The Future of Kinesio Tape:
As research continues and new applications are discovered, kinesio tape is poised to remain a valuable tool in the world of sports medicine and beyond. Whether you’re an Olympic hopeful or simply seeking pain relief, this colorful tape might just be worth a try.
So, the next time you see those vibrant stripes on an athlete, remember the story of Dr. Kase and his quest to create a tape that supports the body’s natural healing power, one colorful strip at a time.