What Is K Taping and Will It Work For Me?

Among the variety of different physiotherapy treatments to help fight injury and restore strength, you’ll find K-Taping, technically known as “kinesio taping.”  K-taping is a non-invasive treatment that as you might have guessed, uses kinesio tape as part of the process.  In fact, it is the main part of the process and it is effective at treating several common issues.

What Is It?

Basically, K-taping is a process of applying a special tape to various parts of the body in order to reduce pain or swelling and increase range of motion.

Do I Need It?

Your need for K-taping will ultimately be determined by your physiotherapist, but it is a useful treatment for anyone who has experienced an injury or condition that is limiting range of motion and causing pain.  In some cases, K-taping might seem like the most logical choice and won’t be prescribed and other times it will.  It really goes on a case by case kind of basis.

The K-Taping technique works alongside the natural healing process of the body, activating circulatory and neurological systems along the way.  It is based on the science of kinesiology, which is why it is called kinesio-taping.

Benefits of K-Taping

With K-taping, you are going to get added support and stability to the affected muscles and joints without the overall circulation or range of motion being affected.  Aside from adding support, it can also prevent edema, reduce inflammation, relax overused muscles and treat pain.

For the first several years of its existence, kinesio-taping was only used by ‘alternative’ types of practitioners like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and orthopedists.  Today, it is a more mainstream kind of treatment used by all sorts of medical practitioners and athletes from many different sports.

Are There Side Effects?

The only real side effect that some patients may notice is some itching or a mild rash from the tape.  Since it is a non-drug treatment, there are no serious side-effects involved.  If you have sensitive skin, seeking out a practitioner that uses hypo-allergenic tape is a good idea.

Common Conditions

Some of the common conditions where K-taping is used effectively include muscle strains and sprains, swelling, post-operative rehab, acute pain from any source, reduced athletic performance, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, shin splints, headaches and foot problems.

Is K-Taping Enough?

While K-Taping does make a big difference, you may still need other forms of treatment to reach your desired result.  Complimentary treatments will be determined by your doctor and may vary depending on the type of condition and its severity.

Chiro-Med offers K-taping services for our clients. Contact us today to book an appointment or learn more about how K-taping can work for you.