Quite often, in the process of active sports, an athlete can get various injuries. It can be both non-dangerous sprains, and more serious ones - dislocations, fractures and bruises of soft tissues. All this may, of course, affect a person who is far from sports, but if an ordinary citizen can still lie on the hospital bed on the sofa, it is important for the athlete to return to duty as quickly as possible.
Currently, a completely new method of treating such injuries has appeared - this is kinesiotape, which is based on the application of kinesio tapes on a damaged part of the body. We will try to deal with the features of such treatment, advantages and contraindications.
What is kinesio tape
This treatment method was developed specifically for the therapy and early rehabilitation of injured athletes. Treatment of sprains and bruises is carried out without limiting the mobility of a person.
When applying teips, not only does motor activity not decrease, but the possibility of further training remains. In this regard, the kinesio tape patch is a unique tool in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems.
Sports kinesio tapes help to relax overstressed muscles and thereby help them recover faster.
Special thanks to the Japanese doctor Kenzo Kase. It was he who in 1973 developed this method of treating injuries, but the kinesio tape adhesive only gained its well-deserved popularity after the 2008 Olympics.
Currently, the demand for plasters is increasing not only among athletes, but also among people leading an active lifestyle.
How does kinesio patch work
Muscles in the human body not only perform a musculoskeletal function, but also take an active part in venous circulation and lymph movement. Therefore, any damage to muscle tissue leads to circulatory problems. It is in connection with this that it is necessary to use such treatment methods that would guarantee a speedy recovery after an injury.
Kinesio tape is an elastic patch for athletes made from natural cotton. It has a wavy structure, and in addition there is a layer of acrylic adhesive that does not cause an allergic reaction. Glue is activated only under the influence of human body temperature. The unique structure of the patches makes them very similar to human skin.
The teip acts at the microscopic level - it seems to raise the skin over the damaged area, which significantly reduces pressure and reduces pain. As a result of exposure, blood circulation and lymph flow improve, which leads to faster resorption of hematomas and tumors.
After kinesio tape is applied, the instruction allows you to maintain a mobile lifestyle, as intense muscle support is guaranteed. All this is subject to proper application, but with this, as a rule, there are no difficulties.
How does the patch affect the body of an athlete
After kinesio tape is applied to the problem area, it has the following effects:
- By normalizing muscle function, pain is reduced.
- If you study kinesio tape, the instruction states that muscles from a stressed state quickly turn into a relaxed one.
- Blood circulation improves.
- The movement of lymph and the outflow of tissue fluid become more effective.
- Neuralgia disappears.
- Stimulated skin and muscle activity.
- If an athlete attends massage sessions, then the effect of them is much more noticeable and longer.
Given this effect, we can conclude that active citizens can also use kinesio tape, the price, especially since they are relatively low.
The benefits of using kinesio teips
When compared with a tool such as a regular elastic bandage, kinesio tape has significant advantages:
- It allows the skin to breathe.
- There is an improvement in blood circulation and lymph in the subcutaneous region.
- Not afraid of moisture and sweat. After taking a shower, it dries quickly.
- Provides accelerated regeneration of injured muscles and ligaments.
- Reliably fixes muscles for unlimited time and at the same time does not limit their mobility.
- Teips are completely hypoallergenic.
- It has its effect within 5-7 days, and there is no need to use bandages and dressings as additional means.
The use of kinesio teips in medicine
All these advantages make it possible to use this treatment method not only in sports medicine, but also for the treatment of certain diseases, for example:
- For the treatment of scoliosis.
- In the presence of juvenile kyphosis, the use of kinesio teips is effective.
- Therapy of achillobursitis.
- To correct the curvature of the lower legs in children.
- If there are neurological manifestations of cervical, thoracic or lumbar osteochondrosis.
- Muscular-fascial pain syndromes of the trunk or limbs.
- With varicose veins, there is a violation of blood flow in the muscles. Kinesio tape - the instruction mentions this - can help in this situation.
- After a mastectomy.
- For the treatment of algodismenorea.
Here is such an extensive area of use of such adhesives.
Where is the most justified use of kinesio teips
You can use the patch for athletes on different parts of the body.
- The most common use is for partial fixation and recovery after sports injuries. Kinesio tape does not compress muscles as much as a regular elastic bandage, but due to its stretch and structure, it supports muscles well and takes on part of the load.
- With the help of such adhesives, fixation in hard-to-reach places can be made. For example, if there is an injury to the ribs, then a simple bandage will not help, and taping helps a lot.
- The use of kinesio teips as an anesthetic for injuries: by lifting the skin, it relieves pressure on the damaged area, and the pain becomes less noticeable.
- Teip is good as a remedy after damage.
- You can also quickly remove bruises and swelling using this method, it is enough to purchase kinesio tape in a pharmacy.
- Those who often suffer from night cramps are also shown to use such patches.
- The use of kinesio tapes in athletics or other outdoor sports is widespread. They can significantly improve results due to more efficient work of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus.
- Using kinesio teips, you can protect the skin from rubbing, for example, in the judo of the kimono collar, strongly rub the back of the neck. And biathletes apply a patch on the face to prevent frostbite in the winter season.
- Kinesio teip sports also have a psychological effect, giving more confidence in the movements.
Kinesio tapes are produced in various colors, but this does not affect their characteristics in any way, but only allows you to choose a patch for the color of a sports uniform. Although among athletes it is believed that black teip is more durable in terms of its adhesive characteristics, therefore it is often used in water sports. It has a width of about 5 centimeters, and a roll length of five meters kinesio tape. The price ranges from 500-600 rubles.
Varieties of sports teips
Kinesio teips come in many types. If we talk about sports, then among them most often distinguish:
- Inelastic. This is a classic version that is white or slightly creamy. Such patches are used to tap the ankles and wrists.
- The elastic kinesio tape has a greater extensibility, which allows you to increase the degree of fixation and increase the area of coverage.
- Special kinesio tapes are designed for use on specific parts of the body and have a specific shape.
All varieties of kinesio teips in the sports world are quite in demand, since there is no particular difficulty in applying them, and they perform their function perfectly.
Ways to apply kinesio teip
In addition to varieties of such adhesives, there are also various methods for applying them. They are selected depending on the purpose of use.
- If there are pains in the muscles and joints, then such a patch must be applied around the perimeter of the damaged area.
- If necessary, use as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of flat feet or improper posture, kinesio teip is applied along the entire length of the spine or foot.
- Some use the patch as a preventative measure to prevent injury. In this case, it must be glued to those areas that are most susceptible to injury.
Rules for sticking teips
If you lead an active lifestyle and decide to buy kinesio tape for safety or as a therapeutic agent, how to glue it correctly, the instruction will tell. If you follow all its recommendations, then the correctness of the application can be no doubt. Here is the sequence of actions:
- Before sticking the patch, you must make sure that the area of the skin on which the application will be made is clean and dry.
- Next, cut off the strip of patch of the desired length from the roll and remove the protective film.
- To ensure better fixation of the patch on the leg, the edges are recommended to be rounded. It must be remembered that the first and last few centimeters must be applied to the skin without stretching.
- The rest of the patch must be stretched and glued.
- After full adhesion, to activate the adhesive layer, you should thoroughly rub the surface of the body.
If kinesio tape is glued correctly, then it can be worn without removing it for several days. All this time he will exert his therapeutic effect. Those who have repeatedly used kinesio tape leave positive reviews . The main thing is to apply it correctly to the skin. Otherwise, not only discomfort can be felt, but also the risk of injury.
How to stick teip on the knee
The most difficult is the process of sticking teip on the knee joint. To do this correctly, you must carefully read the instructions.
- Prepare two pieces of patch, each with a length of 15 to 20 centimeters.
- Bend your leg at an angle of 90 degrees.
- The initial piece of tape must be glued without stretching under the patella. Further, it is already stretched by 20% and applied to the skin. In this case, the knee should be outlined on the side. The second end of the patch should be glued over the cup without tension.
- On the second side of the knee, glue the second piece of the patch in the same way.
- To fixation was more reliable, you will have to take another piece up to 17 centimeters long. Next, tear the paper backing in the middle and, stretching it as much as possible, stick the teip under the kneecap. In this case, the ends of the teip must be held by the paper and glued without tension to the outer and inner thighs.
Before applying kinesio tape on the knee for the first time, it is better to consult a specialist who has knowledge of human anatomy and knows how to do it correctly.
Where can I get teips
Currently, there are many online stores that are happy to offer you a choice of various kinesio teips. The buyer has the right to choose a patch of any color.
If you consider the sizes that can offer you, then they come in two options:
- The patch in the package is 20 centimeters long and about 5 wide.
- Kinesio tape in a roll, the width of which is also 5 centimeters, and the length is 5 meters.
In rolls, it is more convenient to buy a patch for those who often use it, for example, athletes. The properties of kinesio teips from packaging, color and manufacturer do not change. Although some note that Chinese-made plasters have a weaker adhesive base and can be distinguished by a specific smell. While such patches should not smell anything.
You can buy teips in a regular pharmacy, but not in every one you can find them, and prices can vary. Therefore, the majority acquire through the Internet kinesio tape.
Kinesiotherapy reviews
Despite the fact that this method began to be used relatively recently, it has already managed to prove itself on the positive side. Many good reviews from those who at least once used kinesio tape. The instruction contains detailed recommendations for use, so you can safely purchase such products not only to athletes.
Most often they are used by those involved in sports, which is why they leave reviews, among which you can most often hear only praise and thanks to the creators of this method. Almost everyone who uses the patch notes the acceleration of the healing process. Injuries to muscles and tendons are much faster, pain disappears, but most importantly, mobility is not limited, it is possible to continue to engage.
Most athletes are satisfied with the results that the use of kinesio teips gives. The material is pleasantly attached to the skin, does not cause allergic reactions, so it can be safely used by everyone.
Doctors are sure that this method, together with the use of other methods of treating injuries, can work real miracles.