Written by Jennifer Morreale
With the Olympics recently passed, you may recall that some of the athletes were wearing brightly colored tape in odd patterns on different parts of their bodies. This tape that stayed in place through sweat, twisting, turning and accomplishing great athletic feats is called kinesiotape. It was designed by a chiropractor named Dr. Kenso Kase in the 1970s and is designed to help support muscles and tendons to heal or prevent injury without restricting motion. Dr. Kase used the study of movement, called kinesiology, to develop very specific patterns of applying this adhesive that takes pressure off of the area that is in need of rest or healing while stabilizing without restriction.
While you probably don’t plan on diving to hit a volleyball or doing summersaults on a balance beam post surgery, this tape can help decrease the amount of time necessary to heal. Whether knee, hip or shoulder surgery, kinesiotape can help to support the joint and muscles after surgery and during rehabilitation.
The science behind kinesio tape is what makes it so fascinating. Understanding that if you have someone who has a brachialis muscle that is strained in order to tape it properly you must understand how it works. If you are working out at the gym doing curls, your brachialis muscle is responsible for this movement. The forearm flexes at the elbow due to the contraction of the brachialis. When you are applying kinesio tape for an injury of this muscle the idea is to apply the tape so that it helps the forearm to flex without over exerting the brachialis muscle. Instead of applying athletic tape that restricts motion, the kinesiotape allows full range of motion, and helps the muscle through the motion.
The same is true when looking at a knee joint and the quadriceps femoris group. When the kinesio tape is applied it is done so in a fashion that still allows the wearer to move and function normally, but it helps the quadriceps femoris group alleviate the joint. Not only is the pattern of the tape key in alleviating this type of pain, but also the direction of the pull of the tape.
Studies have shown that the application of kinesio tape can do many things like increase range of motion as well as help alleviate pain immediately after application in patients who had suffered whiplash. When explaining that the tape can be applied running along the full length of the muscle, Holly Morriarty said “It allows the muscles to go on vacation for a day or two so they come back healed”. Rest is commonly the recommendation for strained or overworked muscles, and kinesio tape allows this without the inconvenience of not being able to use a leg or arm.
It is also a therapy for all ages, a great example of this is the treatment of a two year old. After shoulder surgery, the two year old was showing an 80 degree shoulder abduction and noticeable asymmetry and was not using her shoulder. Kinesio tape was applied to stabilize the rotator cuff and scapula; this along with exercise was a large part of her therapy. After only two weeks of wearing the tape in intervals of 2-3 days on and 1-2 days off there was 60 degree decrease in shoulder abduction and less scapular winging. After 4 weeks the child was able to hold her arm at her side and was symmetrical. She had also gained mobility and was initiating activity. Finally after 20 weeks she had full ROM and was fully symmetrical. The kinesio tape along with exercise allowed for the child to heal properly and gain full use of her shoulder.
More and more people are benefiting from kinesiotape and reducing their healing times, missed work, and pain levels. If you are suffering from joint pain or trying to rehabilitate after a surgery many massage therapists and chiropractors are trained in how to apply kinesiotape. It will make a world of difference in healing time.
Jennifer Morreale’s passion is running. It’s a passion she shares with anyone and anything she encounters, including her Italian Greyhound puppy Sprocket who can often be seen running alongside her. Jennifer believes that anyone can be a runner and has devoted her life to teaching others the joys and benefits of running and how running can help promote overall health.
As founder of Runner’s Realm, Jennifer inspires and motivates others to run through both words and actions. Jennifer leads by example and has completed many races including the Walt Disney World Marathon, the Iron Girl Half Marathon, the Tri-angle Duathlon and many smaller races. Never slowing down, Jennifer will soon compete in the Hero-thon in San Antonio, Texas, the Tough Mudder in Tampa, Florida, the Walt Disney World Goofy 39.3 miles in two days and the Runner’s World Half Marathon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Combining her love of running with her desire to help others she has lent her talents to helping organizations meet their fundraising goals. She is currently working with Team in Training in advance of the Hero-thon to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in their efforts to raise funds to fight blood cancer and recently adding her name to the bone marrow registry hoping to be a match. Jennifer also works with various other non-profit organizations that promote health, such as World Wellness Education, Relay for Life and Walk 4 Animals helping raise thousands of dollars.
Originally from Upstate New York, Jennifer has lived in six states across the US and now resides in Central Florida where she helps her husband Dr. Joseph Morreale manage his business, The Chiropractic Center. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in alternative medicine from Everglades University, is a certified chiropractic assistant, has written for and been published in numerous health and nutrition publications. She also sits on the Board of the World Wellness Education and the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County. In addition to running Jennifer enjoys yoga, stand up paddle boarding, scuba diving, boating, fishing and just about any other outdoor activity.
This information is not meant to be medical advice. No action or inaction should be taken solely on the contents of this information. Instead, you should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being.
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