History of taping
Developed by Kenso Kase in 1973, a specialist in rehabilitation and therapeutic medicine.
He developed a tape (Kinesio tex) which mimics skin and muscle activity, promoting movement rather than restricting it.
Possible benefits
- increase of re-absorption of lymph in underlying tissues
- reduce or relieve abnormal feelings in skin or muscles
- useful to use over swelling where it is difficult to apply compression
- helps to remove lymphatic fluid from congested areas to non-congested areas of the body
- it gently lifts the surface layer of the skin, this encourages lymph and blood to move
- it supports the muscle during movement.
Dos and dont’s
Dos
- do a patch test 72 hours before using to check safe to use
- make sure the area is as clean, dry and as hair free as possible
- apply not less than 20 minutes before exposure to heat or a shower
- position the body to achieve maximum skin stretch
- apply the tape with a ‘Pull off paper’ tension while the skin is under stretch
- when the body is relaxed the tape should wrinkle
- wear for 3-5 days
- remove carefully, use Vaseline on top to gently ease the tape off starting at the tail end and working gradually back to the anchored end
- allow some tape free days for good skin care, apply moisturiser.
Don’ts
- do not apply if allergic to adhesives
- do not rip the tape off quickly.
Conditions that are contra-indicated;
- open wounds
- deep vein thrombosis
- infection or injured areas
- thin /fragile skin
- cuts or grazes.
Conditions when precaution is needed:
- active cancer
- congestive cardiac disease
- thyroid or Kidney disease.