Kinnesio Tape History

2042 Words5 Pages
Anna Starks
CSIV
Ms. Slettehaugh
1/23/14
Kinesio Tape
It all began in 2008 when Misty Mae Treanor and Kerri Walsh took to the sand with strange lines of black tape on their bodies. During the Olympic Games in Beijing, the odd lines called “Kinesio Tape” was nicknamed “tattoo tape,” and so began the popularity of the controversial treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Since then, it has been seen on athletes such as David Beckham and Michael Johnson.
Dr. Kenzo Case, an esteemed chiropractor and acupuncturist invented Kinesio Tape in the 1970’s when working with patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This patient population inspired a treatment that would help the body facilitate its own method of pain relief and structural support. Dr. Case continues his research in the United States and Japan [7].
Kinesio Tape is a bandage that is meant to mimic the human skin [5]. It is hypothesized to have multiple functions including: 1) provide positional stimulus through the skin, 2) apply traction that elevates the epidermis in increase blood flow, lymphatic circulation, easing inflammation 3) align fascial tissues to aid joint position 4) stimulate proprioceptors and 5) change the pattern of recruitment of fibers [1,2,3,4,5]. It can stretch up to 140% of its original length, is 100% cotton and can be worn in the shower and pool, usually lasts up to three or four days [5].
This paper focuses on two prominent issues facing patients that seek physical therapy: low back pain and shoulder pain. According to an article from the World Applied Sciences Journal, up to 80% of people report LBP sometime in their life. It can be due to numerous reasons varying from muscle weakness, poor body mechanics or nervous related issues [3]. Shoulder pain ...

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...up was small and only lasted twelve days. Also, I thought it was interesting that most of the articles mentioned, required pain to lasting longer than three months instead of one.
Most of these studies came to the same conclusion: there needs to be more research on this topic. Many of these trials were composed of small sample sizes, lacked control groups and overall lacked validity. It can be concluded that there may be some immediate and short term effects, but nothing substantial. Scientifically, there is no proof that Kinesio Tape is medically effective, but if I had the option to use it in a clinic, I may use it for the appropriate patient. I would use it more for the short term and possibly psychological effect that it may bring. I look forward to learning more about Kinesio Tape as more research is completed and may or may not use it in a clinical setting.

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