Have you ever wondered what that bright colored tape is that is on professional athletes? It is called Kinesiology tape and it is one of the up and coming treatments in the therapeutic world. Kinesiology tape is based on kinesiology, physiology and body mechanics. The technology of the Kinesiology tape was developed in Japan. It did not become popular until 1988 and is now used worldwide.
Kinesiology tape is a thin, stretchy, elastic cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive. It is used for a wide variety of musculoskeletal and sports injuries, plus inflammatory conditions. The use of Kinesiology tape involves taping over muscles to minimize pain and inflammation, relax tired muscles that are suffering from overuse and to support muscle movement. The taping is non-restrictive and allows a full range of motion.
If used properly, you might not even feel it on your body. Your massage therapist may stretch your skin lightly to apply the tape. For support, the tape is applied from the origin of the muscle to where it inserts. For rehabilitation purposes, the opposite direction is stretched and taped. The goal is to help the muscles work with proper biomechanics. In addition, the tape aids in proper blood flow and lymphatic drainage, further rehabilitating damaged muscle or aiding in avoiding injury.