Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology taping uses strips of elastic tape on the skin to support muscles and joints, ease swelling and make movement more comfortable. It is one of the tools Rob Jordan, PT, may add to your plan at our Hot Springs, Arkansas clinic after an evaluation shows it fits.
What taping can do for a sore area
Taping is used for different reasons depending on what is going on in your body. These are the four we use it for most.
Swelling
Injury, surgery or plain overuse can leave fluid built up in an area. Tape can lift the skin slightly, which eases pressure on the tissue underneath and gives that fluid room to move.
Pain
Tape may calm the pain signals an area sends to your brain. When pain eases, the muscles around it often relax, and that can make movement and treatment more comfortable.
Joint support
When a joint has trouble staying where it should, tape can add support while still letting it move through its normal range.
Scar tissue
After an injury, surgery or other trauma, a thick band of scar tissue can form and limit movement. Tape can add a gentle stretch to scar tissue, which may make movement easier.
How the tape works
The skin, muscles, joints and tendons underneath it are in constant conversation with your nervous system. When an area is injured or sore, that conversation can go wrong, and the muscles may work poorly or tighten up. Tape is meant to improve how the skin and the tissues beneath it interact, which can help muscles work better.
Pain also constricts an area. When it eases, there is more room for blood flow and movement, and muscle spasms become less likely.
What to expect when you are taped
Evaluation first
At your first visit, the physical therapist examines you and decides whether taping belongs in your plan. If it does, you are told how it may help and what the steps will be.
Tape on the problem area
The therapist places strips of tape over the affected area and any other spots where you feel pain or stiffness.
Taping alongside other care
Taping is used with the exercises and other treatments in your plan, such as Therapeutic Exercise and Manual Therapy, not instead of them.
Taping often comes up with
Pages on conditions where taping may be part of the plan:
Kinesiology taping care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Kinesiology taping at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.