Kinesio taping (adhesive neuromuscular bandage), known to most as kinesio or “colored bandage,” is an elastic bandage made of colored cotton that is used in therapeutic, preventive and rehabilitative settings. It was therefore initially used primarily for sports injuries , but over the years and because of its proven efficacy, the use of kinesio has been extended to an increasingly wide range of treatments, including physio-aesthetic treatments. The Kinesio taping is therefore used as a support for the treatment of tendinitis, of Cervical arthritis, small edema and subcutaneous hematomas, but also, as anticipated, to reduce the Pain from muscle tension or contractures. It is also worth noting that proper use of this patch can be a very valuable aid in the pathways of rehabilitation. On the other hand, with regard to physio-aesthetics, the Kinesio taping is used to promote drainage caused by water retension
The great pain-relieving ability of this colorful patch is due to its inhibitory action on contracted muscles, which in turn press on pain receptors thus relieving the patient’s suffering, allowing freedom of movement and protecting tendons and ligaments by promoting the maintenance of a proper joint position.
Regarding edema, on the other hand, it is used because the proper application of kinesio facilitates lymphatic drainage, which in turn allows faster absorption of edema.
Although kinesio taping may appear to be an easy art it is actually a very complex application that requires experience and mastery. In fact, the colored bandages must be stretched over the skin without creasing or wrinkling and without any particular force being applied to the affected area. In addition, the placement of kinesio on the affected part, varies greatly according to the area to be covered and the extent of the problem to be treated, decisive in the correct placement of kinesio is also the tension with which it is applied, which again varies according to the treatment. Therefore, it is very common to see different applications of this patch depending on the areas affected and the extent of the problem to be solved.
The application of kinesio taping may cause itching or irritation, slight numbness, swelling, and minor blood circulation disturbances as side effects. Because it is made of pure cotton, the risk of kinesio causing allergy is very low. Do-it-yourself application is highly discouraged because proper application of the patch involves following precise anatomical structures. So, if kinesio is not affixed properly, instead of relieving pain, it could lead to the creation of abnormal muscle tension that would, in turn, cause further pain.
