Kinesiology Taping - the Benefits for our clients

Limassol Sports Massage using Kinesiology Taping at the Cyprus Ultra race 2017

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We have been qualified to apply Kinesiology Tapes (also known as Elastic Therapeutic Tapes) and Fixed Tapes for a few years now, following additional training at St Mary's University, Twickenham. It rapidly became one of our favourite methods of treatment in our busy Limassol based Sports Massage Clinic because of the success we have had with it.

Why does Kinesiology Taping prove to be so helpful? The reasons are not scientifically proven. It is thought to help with the fascia by lifting the skin and giving the muscle and fascia a little more comfort. It is thought to keep the area a little warmer, to give a little support (depending on the way it is applied) and to help one remember that they have an injury that they are rehabilitating. 

How has Kinesiology Tape helped our Clients? We have used these tapes in a number of treatment applications. They have helped Marathon Runners as part of their treatment for Jumper's Knee/Patellar Tendinitis, Achilles Tendinitis and Iliotibial Band Syndrome. These runners had injuries resulting from doing too much, too soon in training and their races were at risk. Following intensive Sports Massage Therapy, they were taped for periods of two weeks. The taping helped prolong the benefits of the treatment and allowed for assistance with their recovery. Runners were taped for their races too. Other Sports disciplines/applications have included:

• Pole Dancing - shoulder strain injuries are very common here.
• Swimming - rotator cuff injuries and anteriorly rotated shoulders are frequently seen in this discipline.
• CrossFit - shoulder strains and lower back strains have been treated.
• Weight-lifters - with lower back issues and forearm tightness.
• Tennis Players with forearm issues.
• Desk-sitters - with anterior rotation of shoulders and neck/shoulder issues.
• Gardeners - with repetetive strain issues in the forearms.

Generally, tendinitis and soft-tissue conditions respond well. I have had my rib-cage and abdomen taped following fascial tightness following a fall from inline skating. Post injury, much of the surrounding soft tissue goes in to a protective spasm and taping is a great way to re-educated the tissue that it is safe and can relax again. 

A Cyprus Ultra mountain race never passes without us taping some of the runners. It is usually helpful to tape the quad muscles to help them relax a little and we have used advanced techniques to tape a mal-tracking patella, which we believe saved one of the runner's races one year. Our running experience and Sports Massage Therapy knowledge has aided our understanding of application methods and has even allowed us to blend elastic and fixed tape for more effective treatment protocols in certain cases.

Personally, I think that there is an additional benefit. I believe that the focus/awareness of the injured area helps to send more blood there. Increased blood flow can help with recovery and can bring healing agents in a more directed manner to the site of injury. It has been proven that focusing on an area of the body sends more blood to it.

How is Kinesiology Tape applied? There are often several ways of applying elastic therapeutic tapes. Main principles include stretching the muscle whilst it is being taped. Tape edges are rounded to help them stay in place. The edges of the tape are not stretched; in order to ensure that they adhere well. The main section of the tape is stretched a certain percentage, depending on the area and the desired outcome of tape application - it is not stretched 100%, but 50-70% is very common. The tightest part of the muscle is often the part that the tape is first attached to. Whilst some knowledge of the path of the muscle in question should be understood and followed, there is not really anything that you can do wrong with elastic therapeutic taping; it simply will not be so effective if it is not positioned correctly.

Kinesio Tex Classic - for great quality and the ultimate staying power:

Kinesio Tex
A great choice for quality and staying power. This high quality tape will stay on during the most intense workout and training session. A must for competitions.

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Rocktape - for quality and performance:

Great staying power, water resistant tape, great for competitions and amazing quality.

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Mueller Kinesiology Tape - value and performance

A well known brand with great value and performance.

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Levotape - doing a jolly good job!

A great tape! 

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Which brand? There are the expensive, and believe me you do get what you pay for, and the moderately priced. Go for a mid-price to expensive brand. Look at brands such as Rocktape, Levotape, Kinesio Tex and Mueller. You will love all of these brands. Check them out via the links above and order your preferred tape with ease. Pre-cut tapes are more expensive and whilst being convenient, are limiting in terms of their predetermined length. 

If you would like to buy tape in Clinic, we often have some in stock. Taping can be used as part of your Sports Massage treatment if we deem it useful, or can be booked as a treatment separately with a fee payable to cover materials and our Clinic time. 

Eva Evangelou IFA & ITEC Diplomas in Sports Massage Therapy, Anatomy & Physiology, Clinical Aromatherapy and Holistic Massage Therapy. Education Adv Diploma, PGCE & BA Hons.

Eva is a Sports Massage Therapist, owner of Limassol Sports Massage, an Aromatherapy Blend-maker, Teacher, Author of 'Say No to Neck and Shoulder Pain' and avid Athlete.