Physio Tape: Kinesio Tape only for sports injuries

Is Kinesio tape only for sports injuries?

Physio tape, also known as Kinesio tape, is the brightly coloured tape that has been popularised recently by many sports teams and sporting individuals at the Olympics. However, there are many other uses for the brightly coloured tape.

Physio tape used by professional footballer

What is ‘Physio tape’?

Physio tape comes in many different shapes and sizes, and is used by physiotherapists for many different reasons. The main uses of Physio tape relate to sports and sporting injuries – although the uses of tape by physiotherapists is now widely used across the world for many different uses.

There are many different types of Physio tape, which suggest that physiotherapists use the tape in many different ways. The main uses of the tape, however, relate mainly to four basic principles:

1. provide support or restrict movement in an area

2. improve the function of the area being taped

3. improve circulation to tissues

4. provide some level of feedback to an area.

The science behind Physio tape

The science behind using Physio tape has come under fire in many articles and in the press recently, but many people still use the Physio tape in question to great effect. There is actually no difference between the colours of the Kinesio tape, despite the extensive range of Kinesio tape.

The special property of Physio tape is that it has the same elasticity as the skin, which is normally around 130-140%.

How to use Physio tape

There are several different ways that Physio tape can be used. There are four main ways that Physio tape can be cut and used on the body. The ‘Y’ Physio tape, which can be used for bigger muscles. The ‘X’ Physio tape is used on the spine. The ‘wave form’ is used over swollen joints. The ‘I’ tape can be used in many different locations on the body. It is very important to cut the edges. Rounding the Physio tape’s edge prevents clothing from cathcing on the corners.

Physio tape has also been used to treat children and adults with severe neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, to help improve motor control of certain areas. The logic behind this actually does make sense but there is a distinct need for hard science to back up the claims made by therapists who use Physio tape and Kinesio tape for this purpose. A quick Internet search on the uses of Physio tape returns some interesting and diverse uses of the tape. Below are some examples of how Physio tape has been used in the management of people with varying conditions, from speech impediments due to motor development abnormality to muscular imbalances causing knee pain, and shin splints.

Research on Physio tape is increasing

As Physio tape becomes increasingly accessible to the public, as opposed to just medical professionals, research is continuing into how the tape is best put to use. Whilst sportspeople are using Kinesio tape to protect and aid existing niggles, research is showing that the recommended application of Kinesio tape is significantly improving the explosive power of the gluteus maximus. However, other research is demonstrating the potential benefits of Kinesio taping in other biological and medical fields. The effects of using Kinesio tape on respiratory muscle strength continues to be explored, whilst more serious medical conditions such as Lymphedema, a condition that can stem from breast cancer, are seeing the benefit of treatments involving Kinesio tape.

Below you will find articles related to the function of Kinesio tape/Physio tape – they are worth a read at some point. At Perfect Balance Clinic, we see lots of people who benefit from Kinesio taping. Here are some pictures of some of them half way through a session of kinesio taping:

1. Effect of Kinesio Taping on Explosive power of gluteus maximus of male athletes

2. Effect of Kinesio Taping on Respiratory Muscle Strength

3. Effect of Kinesio Taping on sitting posture, functional independence and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy

4. Lymphatic Drainage and Kinesio Taping in Malignant Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in an Arm

5. Tactile stimulation with Kinesio tape alleviating muscle weakness

Frequently asked questions on Physio tape

1. How do we use Physio tape and Kinesio tape at Perfect Balance Clinic?

At Perfect Balance, we use Kinesio tape and Physio tape to assist many conditions, not simply as a remedy to sporting injuries.

2. Who specialises in the use of kinesio and physio taping at Perfect Balance Clinic?

We have a number of Kinesio taping specialists in our clinics in London and Hertfordshire:

Sophie Vowden – Sports Therapist
Himesh Mistry – Osteopath
Stephen Makinde – Osteopath
Terence McSweeney – Osteopath
Sara Randall – Midwife/Osteopath
Andrew Maddick – Children’s Osteopath
Lucy Georgiou – Osteopath
Joe Reemer – Rehablitation Consultant
Mark Richardson – Sports Physiotherapist
Lottie Simpson – Sports Physiotherapist
Sophie Lane – Sports Phsyiotherapist

3. Which Perfect Balance Clinics can you get Physio tape applied?

Perfect Balance provides Kinesio taping sessions at the following locations:

Hatfield
St Albans (Sports Injuries)
St Albans (Mother and Baby)
London Moorgate
London Harley Street
London St Paul’s

4. Where can you buy Physio tape?

We supply Kinesio tape to our clients once we have seen them, so they can continue to apply the tape if needed going forwards. We find this really useful as it dramatically speeds up the process of recovery for clients.

To find out more about Kinesio tape and Physio tape, you can send us your details and we will get one of our specialists to call you with more information and answers to your questions.

Osteopath Trump Street St Pauls, Osteopath Moorgate, Osteopath Harley Street Physio Harley Street, Physio St Pauls Trump Street