What is K Tape and how can it benefit you?
Our Rochester Clinic has been using Kinesiology Tape (K Tape) for years, as the benefits are extensive and so varied. With the marathon season upon us, here are just some of the reasons you should never overlook the benefits of K Tape:
Supports injured muscles:
The elastic properties and correct application of the K Tape enable it to support injured joints or muscles without affecting the range of motion. This can be particularly beneficial for long distance athletes such as marathon runners.
Allows athletes to remain active while injured:
This time of year is hugely popular for marathon training. Depending on how it is applied, K Tape can prevent either overstretching or over-contraction of injured muscles. When combined with its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, this can allow athletes to continue training and/or competing as their injuries heal.
Pain relief:
K Tape can effectively relieve both acute and chronic pain, even though it does not contain any medications. The elasticity in the tape slightly lifts the skin, which immediately reduces pressure on pain receptors under the skin. In addition, it provides a competitive stimulus that blocks pain signals going to the brain.
Reduces swelling and inflammation:
Due to it’s elastic properties, K Tape provides a passive lift to your skin. This vacuum effect allows your lymphatic and venous drainage systems to drain and swollen or bruised tissue quicker than without the K Tape.
Accelerated recovery from bruises:
K Tape can be hugely beneficial at helping to remove blood that accumulates under the skin due to bruising. We apply the tape in a fan pattern over the bruised area and the bruising is dissipated. Within a couple of days a distinct fan pattern can be seen where the tape was applied over a bruised area.
Help prevent and/or relieves muscle spasms and cramping:
The K Tape can help improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to overused or fatigued muscles, helping to prevent or relieve spasms and cramps. This can be particularly beneficial to marathon runners who are training most days.
Speedier recovery of overused muscles:
When K Tape is used over fatigued, overused muscles, it helps enhance the removal of lactic acid which then allows for more rapid recovery. Along with the improved delivery of oxygen, this could also help improve performance.
Please speak to any of our team about K Tape and it’s range of benefits.