#Sport medical tape skin

This feeling of pressure can help to facilitate muscle contraction as well and make the athlete feel stronger.Īlthough this may be felt from a subjective perspective, there is a lack of evidence-based research on Kinesio tape’s positive effect on performance. This may occur from the Kinesio tape providing support along with slight pressure to unstable joints or painful muscles.

#Sport medical tape skin

Along with these, some athletes beli eve having the tape on their skin acts as protection – knowing the tape is present on an injured area may allow some athletes to feel more confident in their abilities to overcome the injury.Īmong some practitioners and rehabilitation professionals, there is a belief that Kinesio tape can also provide an actual improvement in performance. This change can potentially help in decreasing the feelings of tightness in muscles or pain from associated trigger points in muscles. The lift of the skin can change what information gets to the brain, including pain input as stated previously. By relieving the pressure in between the skin layers, we change or dampen the pain signal that goes from our skin to our brain.Īlong with this, the decompression allows fluids underneath the skin like blood and lymphatic fluids (vital in the recovery process) to circulate more freely without as much interruption. Within our skin and underlying tissues, we have a multitude of receptors including those responsible for pain. Relief from pressure is first and foremost.

The proposed decompression of the skin can lead to a number of positive influences on it. This proposed lift may allow the associated muscles, joints and tendons to have more room for smoother contraction and stretch. With this, a small lift or decompression of the skin is created which relieves pressure on the area where the tape is applied. This recoil acts to pull the skin closer from the tape’s origin site to where it ends. The stretch not only allows it to contour to different body parts, but it creates a recoil of the skin. That is what really sets it apart when it comes to other tapes in sports and rehabilitation. Kinesio tape can stretch to anywhere between 100-180% of its original length. So it’s very likely you’ve seen Kinesio tape being used from the elite level of sport right down to weekend warriors, or even non-athletes needing help with their rehabilitation. With this, Kinesio tape can be utilised by athletes and rehabilitation professionals as a potential tool in order to decrease recovery time. The main proposed benefits of Kinesio tape include reduction of pain, protection of weak areas, increased sensory input and improved performance. This is done through the stretch of the tape, which is a combination of cotton and nylon made to mimic the elasticity of our skin. In short, Kinesio tape is a form of athletic tape which can be stretched past its original length and provide myriad proposed benefits to positively affect performance and pain levels.

Now, multiple brands have entered the market – a quick Google search for Kinesio tape reveals hundreds of unique styles and colours to choose from. Since its inception almost 50 years ago, Kinesio tape has been popularised in the mainstream with high-profile athletes across the globe seen wearing it. It was initially invented with the intent to allow more freedom of movement for the athlete, with the same amount of support as athletic tape. Kinesio tape has been around since the 1970s when a chiropractor by the name of Kenzo Kase invented the tape and brought it into the athletic world. What is that colourful tape many athletes have on? That is Kinesio tape. Last updated: May 15th, 2023 9 min read What is Kinesio tape – and why do so many athletes use it?