How To Buy Kinesio Tape And Save Money

Therapeutic tape has more applications than just treating sports injuries to muscles. It can be used to help prevent them as well. This Elastic Therapeutic tape helps increase blood flow and circulation to the muscles, thereby helping to prevent excess stress or strain on them. Kinesio tape has also been safely used in people of all ages to help treat headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff and shoulder injuries, plantar fasciitis and more. You could buy individual pain pills, braces and ice packs for all these injuries, or you could simply Buy Kinesio tape and allow your body to heal itself more quickly and more fully. In cases like these, you’ll save money by purchasing Kinesio tape in bulk rolls and simply using it as you need it. It’s much more cost effective, and unlike medications and braces, Kinesiology tape doesn’t expire, and you can get it wet or wear it for 2-3 days – even while training or going about your normal everyday activities.

Are You Really Buying Kinesio Tape?

Another thing to watch out for when you order Kinesiology tape is weather or not it is an imitation. There are a lot of similarly named products all claiming to be kinesiology tape, k-tape or some other “revolutionary technology”. The truth is, this Tape is patented and its unique materials are protected. That means off brands that claim to be similar may not deliver the type of free and open muscle movement that you get when you buy actual Kinesio-Tex tape. You can identify real Therapeutic tape by the imprint on the back.

Where Can I Buy Kinesiology Tape?

The best place to get this special athletic tape and save money is to order online. You’ll save gas by not having to drive down to your local sporting goods store and pay a huge amount for a single roll or two, plus you’ll be able to order online in bulk and keep the savings in your pocket. In addition, many online stores will offer you free shipping when you buy in bulk.

How Do I Use This Wonder Tape?

Elastic Therapeutic Tape is not meant to be applied like normal athletic tape, which is why it’s a good idea to also buy a book or a DVD on how to apply Kinesio tape. There are lots of instructional methods and techniques for Kinesio taping, and you can also have a kinesiology certified therapist or personal trainer show you as well. All on all, once you see how well Kinesio tape works with your body, you’ll never consider “normal” athletic tape again!

Types Of Kinesio Tapes

There are several colors and cuts of Kinesio tapes which are made to work across several different muscle groups, including shoulders, knees, wrists, back and other common areas where sports injuries can occur. These cuts, in shapes such as X, Y and I, perfectly mimic the structure and makeup of the muscle fibers themselves, so that the tape can be placed along the length of the muscle and provide extra support for faster healing.

Keep in mind that this type of tape does not restrict the muscle the way that traditional athletic tape does. You don’t need to pile on strips of athletic tape or use a huge roll to keep the muscle from moving. In fact, you use far less of the Kinesio tapes because you apply it along the length and width of the muscle in different configurations that give injured, sore or overworked muscles a “boost” rather than keeping them immobile.

Who Uses Kinesio Tapes?

Kinesio tapes have traditionally been used by physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and orthopedists who needed a way to help heal injuries or strain, but didn’t want the rigidity and inflexible properties of regular athletic tape. Because Kinesio is made of cotton, it is more “breathable” and allows for easy movement. In addition, it can also be used while training or working out – and is both sweat proof and waterproof. It also contains no latex, which can cause skin allergies on those affected by it.

Since they were first used in the 2008 Olympics, Kinesio tapes are now recommended and fully endorsed by everyone from celebrity pro athletes to everyday consumers looking for a way to soothe and relax tired, stressed muscles.

Kinesio Tapes Are For More Than Just Sports

In addition to receiving accolades from the pros and athletes in training alike, Kinesio tapes are also being used in a variety of new applications. They have been documented as successfully helping to treat headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, sprains, edema and more. They’ve been used to help prevent injury and reduce swelling by allowing the body freedom of movement and circulation. The flexible therapeutic tape is even safe enough to be used on children. The best part is, since the tape has become so widely used around the world, you can buy it in bulk rolls and save a considerable amount of money over purchasing one roll at a time at your local sporting goods store.

So stock up on this “magical tape from Japan” as cycling pro Lance Armstrong calls it, and see what a difference it can make for your body!

Benefits Of Using Kinesiotape

Beyond its glowing recommendations from Olympians, professional athletes and everyday consumers alike, Kinesiotape has a wide range of benefits that go beyond your ordinary tape.  Because of its breathable cotton base, it can be work for up to three days whether you’re working out, showering or just going about your daily routine.  It’s recommended that you change the tape every two days to help your body take advantage of its medicinal properties.  It’s waterproof, sweat proof and latex free, which means it won’t cause skin allergies or reactions the way other tapes can.  The adhesive also won’t stick to your skin and leave behind a residue, making it a favorite of athletes who have to both perform and look their best on the field or on the floor.

Kinesiotape For Muscles

Although Kinesiotape is used in rehabilitative therapies of all kinds, it does best when applied to the length of the muscle being treated.  You don’t have to wait until you’re injured to discover the benefits of this unique elastic tape, though.  Many people choose to use it to help prevent injury as it speeds up blood and lymph fluid flow throughout the body wherever the tape is applied.  It can also be used to soothe and relax overworked or strained muscles.  Whenever and wherever it’s used, however, it’s important to not only learn the correct techniques for applying the tape, but also to cut the tape correctly so that it can be placed over different muscle groups.  Kinesiotape is available in cuts such as X, Y and I, which mimic the shape of the letters and allow the tape to span different stretches and fibers of muscles without having to deal with lots of little strips of athletic tape.

The Final Word On Kinesiotape

When dealing with kinesiology, be sure to buy the actual brand itself, rather than an imitation.  The proven science behind this tape – including its patented manufacturing process – is what sets it apart from the rest.  Combining the benefits of this brand of tape along with the medical value behind it helps deliver faster, more complete healing to your body.

Kinesio Tape Knee Use

Unlike other athletic tapes, which can simply be unrolled around the knee and strictly hold the injured area in place, one of the first things you’ll notice about Kinesio tape is that it allows your knee to flex and bend naturally. This likely goes contrary to anything you’ve heard about athletic tapes, but it’s one of the underlying principles in how Kinesio tape, and its underlying area of study, kinesiology work. The premise is that leaving the area open and mobile improves circulation and helps the body heal itself more quickly and thoroughly than keeping the muscles or tendons still and hampering blood and lymph flow.

How To Apply Kinesiology Tape To The Knee

Elastic Therapeutic Tape comes in different varieties and cuts – such as I, X and Y – with the tape looking like the corresponding letter. This allows it to cover different muscle areas. For knee use, you can place a strip of tape on the outside of the calf and crisscross it to mimic the same hold as a knee brace. You can also use an X cut with a circular hole inside (for the kneecap) to add extra support behind the knee while allowing the muscles to bend and flex naturally. Applying Kinesio athletic tape to the knee this way helps reduce swelling, redness and edema which can come as a result of inflammation or direct impact to the knee. Don’t apply tape liberally to the area as you would traditional athletic tape, as too much Kinesio tape inhibits the natural flow of blood and other fluids the body uses to help shuttle healing to the affected area.

Kineso Tape Knee Benefits

In addition to helping the muscles and supporting tendons heal after injury, Kinesiology tape can also be applied to the knee and other muscles to help increase blood flow to those areas and ease overworked or strained muscles. Many athletes use Kinesiology tape on their knees, wrists and shoulders as a preventative measure against injuries, while others believe it helps their muscles to relax properly after training. When used in this manner, it’s important to apply the Kinesiology tape from the muscle closest to the heart heart along the muscle fiber for optimum results. Using Kinesio tape on knee injuries requires a different method and it’s recommended that you consult with a therapist or trainer who has been certified in kinesiology and allow them to demonstrate how to wrap your knee properly using Kinesio tape. This ensures that the tape will work as it should and that your body will heal itself faster.

Kinesio tape shoulder use first came into the spotlight when Olympic volleyball player Kerri Walsh was seen sporting a unique, black flexible tape on her back and shoulder. In no time, Kinesio tape become the Olympic athlete’s tape of choice when it came to treating sports injuries. Now, it’s available for professional athletes as well as everyday consumers who are looking for a more natural solution to helping the body heal more rapidly and fully.

How To Apply Kinesio Tape To Your Shoulder

You may need the help of a trainer or a therapist who is certified in the use of Kinesio tape or kinesiology to help you apply the tape correctly to your shoulder area. Kinesio tape should be applied to your shoulder when your arm is extended fully at 90 degrees. Gently press the tape at the top of the shoulder area and unroll it down the length of your arm toward the elbow. This ensures that the tape will glide along the same direction as your shoulder and arm muscles. Keep your arm extended when patting the Kinesio tape down.

Using Kinesio Tape – Shoulder And Neck Area

If your neck or shoulders are injured, you can also apply Kinesio tape to the affected area to help speed recovery time. You’ll need to cut the tape in a “Y” shape and turn it upside-down so that the edge of the “Y” goes down your neck, and both branches can be spread out across your shoulders. Keep your neck bent forward while applying this tape to the area so that the Kinesio tape can spread out equally along your shoulder blades. With your neck still situated forward, gently press the tape down onto the injured area.

Buying Kinesio Tape – Don’t Be Fooled By Cheap Imitations

There are several brands of “kinesiology” tape available, however not all of them follow the principles and medicinal techniques that are part of the science behind Kinesio tape and not all of them bring out the true benefits of kinesiology itself. True Kinesio tape is marked with the words “Kinesio Tex” on the underside of the tape. Imitations may not be made to the same exacting quality standards as the original. The important thing to remember when purchasing Kinesio tape is to understand that few competing athletic tapes are made with the same quality medical-grade adhesive to ensure fuller healing that works directly with your body’s natural recovery cycle while still enabling you to go about your daily routine while helping to keep your muscles, tendons and tissues flexible.