kinesio taping

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What is Kinesiology tape?
Kinesiology tape(KT) is an elastic therapeutic tape that comes with many colours and there are many different taping techniques for different treatment condition. KT claims to be a good aid in rehabilitation purpose such as correcting muscle function by strengthening weakened muscles, improving circulation of blood and lymph, decrease the pain, reposition subluxed joint by relieving the abnormal muscle tension. The tape is to be applied on the skin of the affected area. Different methods of taping helps in different function of rehabilitation
Claimed physiological effect of KT
Kinesiology tape was claimed to have some pulling force to lift the skin and increase the spaces between the muscles. This will reduce the localized pressure and promote circulation and lymphatic drainage. This meant the reduction of pain, swelling and muscle spasm.
KT also claimed to increase muscle activation. In theory it was suggested that by taping around the affected area, it could put the skin under a lateral stretch and this will cause the mechanoreceptor from the skin to continuously fire information to the brain. This will in turn create an illusion of movement from the affected area causing the brain disregard the pain signals and instead causes the motor unit in the affected muscle to continuously fire.
The taping applied under tension in the direction of the muscle fibers will apparently help to facilitate the underlying muscle strength and thus in turn helps to increase the strength of the muscle( morrisey et al, 2000)

Criticism
The kinesio taping were widely criticised for being a sham and just giving off placebo effect leading to patients or athletes believing it helps
Methods

There are numerous literature resear...

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... ankle instability were found to be no better than ankle brace and sport tape . The positive side of kinesiology tape is that due to its elasticity it could provide a better range of motion for athletes. So it depends on what do the athlete’s want, a sturdy support to prevent ankle inversion it is recommended to use sport tape or ankle brace. A less sturdy support but offers greater flexibility, one should use KT. In regard to rehabilitative purposes, KT
Consequently this study conclude that KT is a not a ‘must have accessory’ but rather an accessory that is good to have. If the patient and athlete felt KT does help them in their treatment or sport performance, they could continue using KT as there are no studies found the application of KT to have any adverse effect. This study also recommend that patient should stick to the most effective treatment modalities a

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