Utilizing Kinesiology Tape: Insights, Applications, and Guidelines
Kinesiology tape, a type of fine, breathable, and stretchable dressing developed by Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase, has shown promising benefits for people with knee arthritis. This tape, often worn on the skin around a joint or muscle, particularly during exercise or sports, can provide support for tendon issues, offer relief for general knee pain, and address patella tracking problems.
The elasticity of kinesiology tape (KT tape) does not restrict the application area, allowing for a natural range of motion. This selective, elastic support helps relieve arthritis knee pain by improving tissue circulation and proprioception, reducing swelling and pressure, and providing dynamic support that enhances rather than restricts knee range of motion.
Kinesiology tape works by lifting the skin to decompress tissues, enhancing circulation and lymphatic drainage, which reduces swelling and pressure on pain-sensitive structures around the knee. This can interrupt pain signals and allow muscles to relax, increasing comfort and mobility. Additionally, the tape enhances proprioception, or sensory awareness of joint position, which helps improve movement patterns and stability, potentially reducing the risk of further injury or strain.
Supporting studies and expert sources highlight these benefits. The tape's elastic recoil property creates a lifting force on the skin that reduces swelling and tissue pressure. Proprioceptive stimulation improves knee joint awareness and function, while muscle facilitation/inhibition effects can address muscle imbalances contributing to pain and limited motion.
A small study involving 42 people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) found that kinesiology tape resulted in better pain relief, improved walking, and improved knee-flexion range of motion compared to a placebo tape. Another small study involving 10 older adults with knee OA found that using kinesiology tape on the knee had a positive effect on pain reduction, walking, and balance. A larger study involving 141 participants with knee OA showed that wearing kinesiology tape for 3 consecutive days was beneficial, resulting in reduced pain and joint stiffness and improved knee function.
When using kinesiology tape, it is advised to clean the skin with rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or a pre-taping skin cleaner before application. The guide suggests rounding the corners of each strip before application to prevent premature lifting and avoiding application immediately after exercising or showering, or to damaged or irritated skin. It is also recommended to trim or remove dense hair if applying tape to that area of the skin.
In summary, kinesiology tape helps relieve arthritis knee pain by improving tissue circulation and proprioception, reducing swelling and pressure, and providing dynamic support that enhances rather than restricts knee range of motion. Clinical findings and expert consensus support its use as a complementary, non-invasive method for managing symptoms and improving function in knee arthritis.
- Kinesiology tape, developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase, aids in supporting tendon issues and offering relief for general knee pain, specifically in those with knee arthritis.
- In the workplace-wellness sector, kinesiology tape can be employed as a form of medical-condition management for chronic diseases like arthritis and chronic kidney disease.
- This tape, when worn during fitness-and-exercise or sports, can provide relief for skin-care issues related to irritation or sweating, as it is fine, breathable, and stretchable.
- The science behind kinesiology tape (KT tape) involves therapies-and-treatments such as lifting the skin to decompress tissues and enhance circulation, thereby reducing swelling and pressure.
- Nutrition plays a role in managing symptoms of chronic diseases, and a balanced diet can aid in the recovery process when using kinesiology tape for pain relief.
- Mental health is crucial in managing chronic diseases, and the relief offered by kinesiology tape can contribute to overall health-and-wellness by reducing stress and improving mobility.
- CBD, with its pain-relieving properties, can be used in conjunction with kinesiology tape for additional relief and improved management of arthritis symptoms.
