What is Kinesiology Tape?

Do you remember watching the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, seeing Kerri Walsh with her shoulder taped up and wondering what in the world that was for?  That summer was the first time most people saw kinesiology tape, though it has been around far longer than just 7 years.  In fact, it was invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase in Japan over 25 years ago when he realized there was no sports taping method that could help to heal injured tissues and muscles.

Kinesiology tape is a stretchable cotton fabric placed over a heat-activated adhesive.  Most types of kinesiology tape can be stretched as much as 140% of its original size.  The abundant stretchability is what makes it different from other types of sports tape, such as white athletic tape, used mostly by athletic trainers.  When applied properly, the tape will lift the skin and fascia away from the muscle allowing more blood flow into the area.  This increase in blood flow promotes more oxygen to the tissues as well as an increase in lymph drainage.  Draining the lymph fluid helps to expel byproducts of exercise like lactic acid and helps to reduce swelling or edema. 

There are three main applications of kinesiology tape: structural, edema reduction, and neuromuscular.  A structural application requires stretching the tape towards its limit and is used to help restrict joint range of motion.  It can be used on injuries such as ankle sprains, joint instability and patellar dislocations.  Most structural applications will require the addition of another type of tape with limited or no stretch to add extra support.  Application of kinesiology tape for edema reduction requires cutting the tape into thin strips lengthwise while still leaving about 15-20% of the strip intact as an anchor.  At least two cut up pieces of tape are necessary in order to create a “basket weave” pattern which will create grooves beneath the skin and allow the accumulated lymph fluid to be drawn out of the affected area and reabsorbed into the body.  The edema reduction application can be used on swollen joints after an injury, post-mastectomy lymphedema, and can also be very helpful in clearing up large bruises.  A neuromuscular application requires very little to no stretch on the tape and can be placed virtually anywhere on the body.  The purpose of this application is to improve proprioception (awareness of your own body’s position in space) in the affected area.  The application of the tape on the skin triggers the brain to pay attention to that area which can help facilitate the affected tissues. 

Common conditions that can be treated using kinesiology taping include shin splints, plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, runner’s knee, rotator cuff syndrome, and low back pain.  But did you know that kinesiology taping is used for more than just treating injuries?  It is often used to promote proper posture, improve performance and endurance, and help support a pregnant belly.  A postural taping application uses mild stretch to remind you to correct your posture when you start to slack.  The tape itself does not correct your posture, but it can help trigger the brain to train your body to sit up straighter.  As stated before, the lifting of the superficial skin and fascia away from the muscles promotes better oxygenation of the muscles.  That improvement in oxygenation allows your muscles to work harder for longer, thus boosting endurance and enhancing performance.  When you’re pregnant, and the size of your belly increases as your baby grows, your center of gravity shifts which wreaks havoc on your posture and your body.  Applying kinesiology tape to support some of the weight of the baby bump can help reduce postural degeneration common with pregnancy. 

Kinesiology taping can last up to 3-5 days, and can even be worn swimming or in the shower.  Most tape brands utilize adhesives that do not irritate the skin, but if you have had previous allergies to adhesives, like band-aids, be sure to let your sports chiropractor know before they apply the tape.  If you notice any redness or itching around or under the tape, remove it carefully and immediately to prevent further irritation.  As the adhesives are heat activated, NEVER remove the tape during or immediately following a hot shower.  The hot water can reactivate the adhesive which will make it much more difficult to remove the tape without taking some skin as a souvenir. 

There are many YouTube videos and instructional photos on how to apply kinesiology tape to yourself or someone else.  But to ensure that the tape is applied properly and for the right reason, go see your sports chiropractor!  All four chiropractors at Pro Chiropractic are certified in applying kinesiology tape. 

 

If you or someone you know in the Gallatin Valley area is looking for a chiropractor certified in kinesiology taping, please call Dr. Shea Stark with Pro Chiropractic at 406-219-2462 to schedule an appointment in our Belgrade, Manhattan, or Bozeman office.  Dr. Stark is a board certified chiropractor and the author of this blog post.  To learn more about Dr. Stark and the many benefits of chiropractic care, please visit our website: www.prochiromt.com.

Concussions

Concussion is a hot topic these days in sports, both professional and youth.  In the last several years, we have learned so much about concussions that we didn’t know before and that knowledge has brought to light some pretty scary after effects.  Concussions and head injuries are taken much more seriously than they have been in the past…and for very good reason.  But what exactly is a concussion?

According to the CDC’s website, “[a] concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.” (http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/basics/concussion_whatis.html)  Most people think that you only get a concussion if you hit your head on something or get hit on the head with something.  That is simply not true.  Your head does not need to come in contact with anything to get a concussion.  You could be in a bad car accident that whips your head and neck around, and get a concussion…even if your head doesn’t contact anything in the car.  Why?  When your head is whipped around, your brain moves within your skull and slams up against the bone causing injury and damage.  That damage to the brain tissue is the concussion. 

Concussions are diagnosed based on signs and symptoms present after the incident.  In fact, they are very rarely seen on advanced imaging like a CT scan or an MRI.  Common signs of concussion include inability to recall events before or after the hit or fall, dazed appearance or blank stare, confusion, lack of balance or coordination, slowed response to questions, changes in personality, mood or behavior, and loss of consciousness.  Symptoms that are commonly reported include headache or “pressure” in the head, nausea and/or vomiting, dizziness or blurred vision, sensitivity to light and/or sound, feeling groggy or fuzzy, altered concentration, and emotional changes such as “feeling down.”  If you, or someone around you, experiences a fall or strikes their head on anything and exhibits these signs and symptoms, they most likely have a concussion and should seek medical attention immediately.  Signs and symptoms are usually noticed within a few minutes of the incident, but some may take a few hours or even days to manifest.  It is important to monitor anyone who is suspected of having a concussion.

Did you know that sports chiropractors can evaluate and diagnose concussions?  Here at Pro Chiropractic, all four of our chiropractors are well versed in using the SCAT3, or Sports Concussion Assessment Tool.  The SCAT3 is an assessment tool combining subjective complaints (how the person suspected of having a concussion feels) with cognitive functionality and balance and coordination observation by a physician.  Once the assessment is complete, the physician can grade the results to determine first, if the person is concussed, and second, if they are, how severe the injury is.  Once that has been determined, the physician will instruct on what restrictions are necessary to ensure proper recovery.  Usually, the first step in recovery is complete physical and cognitive rest.  This means no physical activities, no school or work, no television, no cell phone, no video games, no music…basically just resting in a dark, quiet room for a day or so.  The SCAT3 can be repeated as often as every 24 hours to reassess the state of the concussion.  If the results of the following assessments improve, the restrictions will be lifted one by one until the assessment reveals full recovery from the concussion.  If the concussed is an athlete who was injured during a sporting event or practice, they must follow this return protocol in order to be cleared.  First, they must return to school without symptoms returning.  Then, they can begin light aerobic activity, followed by moderate activity, then heavy activity with no contact, then practice and full contact, and finally return to competition.

Post-concussion syndrome occurs when symptoms from the concussion last for weeks or even months without going away.  It is believed that symptoms of post-concussion syndrome are a result of structural damage to the brain or disruption of the neurotransmitter systems caused by the impact that triggered the concussion, thus requiring more time for the brain to heal and the symptoms to subside.  There are risk factors for developing post-concussion syndrome such as age, gender, and cause of concussion.  As we age, the brain becomes less resilient.  “Studies have found increasing age to be a risk factor for post-concussion syndrome.” (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-concussion-syndrome/basics/risk-factors/con-20032705)  It is also more likely that women are diagnosed, but that may be because woman, statistically, are more likely to seek medical care.  Finally, the way you got the concussion in the first place may play a role in whether or not you get post-concussion syndrome.  Those with more traumatic causes such as car accidents, physical assault, falls, or contact sports are more prone to developing post-concussion syndrome.  If you suspect that you may have gotten a concussion, were never initially treated, and have lingering symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, seek medical attention immediately.

If you or a loved one plays sports, make sure that you are educated on the signs and symptoms of concussion.  And if you notice these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately!  Pro Chiropractic has 3 state of the art locations in the Gallatin Valley and 4 amazing chiropractors trained to assess and treat anyone who has recently suffered a concussion. 

If you or someone you know in the Gallatin Valley area is looking for a chiropractor, please call Dr. Shea Stark with Pro Chiropractic at 406-219-2462 to schedule an appointment in our Belgrade, Manhattan, or Bozeman office.  Dr. Stark is a board certified chiropractor and the author of this blog post.  To learn more about Dr. Stark and the many benefits of chiropractic care, please visit our website: www.prochiromt.com.