While watching sports on the television, you may notice strips of colorful tape across the athlete’s back, shoulder, knee, or abs. This is called kinesiology tape. It is used to provide support, lessen pain, improve performance, and lessen pain. If you think this would be beneficial for you, get treatment from occupational therapy near Carle Place.
What is Kinesiology Tape?
Kinesio tape is made up of a blend of cotton and nylon. It is supposed to mimic the elasticity of the skin so that you can maintain a full range of motion. This adhesive is water-resistant and strong enough to last on your hand for up to five days. Once the tape is applied to the body, it pulls back slightly to create a very small space between your skin and the tissues underneath it.
What Is Kinesiology Tape Used For?
Treating Injuries: Occupational therapy near Carle Place uses it on people who have been injured and has proven that it is most effective when using it simultaneously with manual therapy. The tap alleviates pain and swelling.
Supports Weak Zones: Kinesio tape adds extra support to muscles and joints that need it. For example, if you have conditions including patellofemoral stress syndrome or Achilles tendonitis, kinesiology taping will help.
Re-educating Muscles: The tape can also retrain your muscles that have lost function or have gotten into unhealthy ways of working. For example, the tape can help fix poor posture in your head and neck.
Enhancing Performance: Athletes may use the tape to help themselves achieve performance and protect themselves against injury while competing.
Managing Scars: Kinesiology tape can improve the appearance of scars in the long run. However, you should never put this tape on an open wound, so consult with your doctor before taping a scar.
Benefits of Kinesiology Taping
Receiving kinesiology taping at occupational therapy near Carle Place has many benefits. One of them is that the tape changes the information that the sensory nervous system is sending about pain in your body. If you have pain in a certain area, an occupational therapist may use the tape to decompress the area. With this, the pain receptors send a new signal to the brain and the tension in the area causing pain will decrease. Another benefit is that it may improve the circulation of blood and fluids by creating extra subcutaneous space. This changes the pressure gradient in the area under the skin.
Contact Us
At Hand In Hand Occupational Therapy of Long Island, our occupational therapists specialized in kinesiology taping and have performed regularly for our patients. If you are looking for treatment for your clinical condition, Kinesio taping may be the right choice for you. Contact our team to learn more about kinesiology taping.