Kinesio Taping Techniques

Learn How To Apply Kinesio Tape

Kinesio taping is the method of choice for athletes and professional sports players alike to help their body heal naturally.  By knowing the right application techniques, you’ll be able to support muscles, ligaments, tissues and joints while helping to speed recovery.  This unique method of applying athletic tape still provides several benefits, most notably its flexibility and versatility in application – but by understanding how Kinesio taping techniques work, you can get even better performance from your properly healed body.

Understanding Proper Methods Of Taping

Correct Kinesio taping techniques involve knowing how your muscles are structured and the type of injury you’re treating.  There are several good guides and DVDs available to help you learn these easy to follow methods for multiple types of injury, complete with illustrations that direct you how to place the tape for best results.  You’ll know you’ve applied the athletic tape correctly when you feel no restriction in movement and are able to easily flex your muscles without sustaining further injury or strain.

Common Taping Techniques for Maximum Effectiveness

The most common type of Kinesio taping is the straight cut – called the “I” strip.  It’s a normal cut strip of Kinesiology tape and is approximately two inches wide.  This is the simplest way to apply the tape but not the only way.  There are also cuts, such as the “Y” strip, “X” strip and “Fan” strip that allow you to spread the flexible tape across areas where the typical cut strip won’t fit or work as well.

Ways You Can Apply Kinesio Taping Techniques

There are two main types of Kinesio taping techniques – therapeutic and correctional.  The therapeutic technique is the most common way that this therapeutic elastic tape is applied and involves placing the tape in such a way that the athlete’s performance is completely free and movement is unrestricted.  This allows them to continue to practice and go about their general routine without the constant interference of sticky, unsupportive tape.  The other method is the correctional technique.  This type of Kinesiology taping is often used for rehabilitating muscles or lymph node areas and allows blood or lymphatic fluid to flow freely to parts of the body where it is needed most.  This helps speed healing and shortens recovery time considerably.

How Athletic Taping Techniques Are Properly Used

Kinesio taping techniques are as flexible and versatile as the Kinesio tape itself!  Golfers and cyclists have used this highly versatile tape on their knees and elbows, while soccer and football players rely on the right taping applications to help relieve back strain and ankle pain.  Runners swear by Kinesiology tape because it helps relieve shin splints or the incredibly painful foot condition plantar fasciitis.  Even if you’re not on the field or the road, you can still benefit from learning the right way to apply this incredibly beneficial athletic tape.  Use it for headaches, lower back pain, shoulder and neck pain as well as an excellent non-prescription way to relieve swelling, such as with edema.   By learning the correct Kinesio taping techniques, you’ll see for yourself how there have come to be over 1,200 clinically documented uses for this highly adaptable athletic tape, and why pros in every sport rate it so highly!