Kinesio Tape
By Robert Lim, PTA
What is Kinesio Tape or Rock Tape?
In 2008, professional women’s beach volleyball players Kerri Walsh and Misty May competed in the Beijing Summer Olympic Games. To this day, many people still question, “What was the black tape on Kerri Walsh’s shoulder?” The black tape on her shoulder is a 20 – plus – year practice of the Kinesio® Taping Method.
The Kinesio® Taping Method was first seen in the 1980s when it was invented by a Japanese chiropractor named Dr. Kenzo Kase. The tape is a cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive (non-latex) to mimic human skin qualities. The tape is water-resistant and can be worn for 24 hours for 3 to 5 continuous days.
Kinesio® tape can be used during any injury phase to help initially reduce swelling and inflammation by improving circulation and reducing pain by taking pressure off pain receptors. Also, Kinesio® tape helps promote correct muscle and joint function and assist and give support to muscles to prevent over-contraction.
Kinesio® tape technique allows the injured body part to work in its full range of motion. This technique will not affect any athlete or patient’s biomechanics and is very safe to use in pediatric to geriatric populations. Kinesio® tape or Rock Tape treats many different parts of the body:
- neck
- shoulder
- elbow
- wrist
- fingers
- mid-back
- lower back
- hips
- knees
- ankles
Rock Tape can be helpful to recover from injuries.
Kinesio Tape at JOI Rehab
Physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, and massage therapists use Kinesio® or Rock tape when treating injuries. So, ask your therapist at all of our Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Rehabilitation clinics if taping may help with your condition. To learn more, please call 904-858-7045 or go to our Library or Trending Section.
Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute has 13 rehabilitation locations in Northeast Florida. Find the location nearest you – LOCATIONS
Book An Appointment with a JOI Physician.