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What is Kinesio Tape?

Kinesio tape is constructed of a fine, breathable, stretchable material. This is typically made up of cotton or a cotton blend. Due to its elastic properties, it does not overly restrict the area of application, instead providing just enough pressure and support to facilitate strength in the muscles and tissues.

Kinesio tape adheres to the skin with a medically approved, water and sweat-proof adhesive. Depending on the amount of daily exercise performed Kinesio tape will usually stay in place for three or four days even while showering or exercising.

How Does Kinesio Tape Work?

Kinesio taping techniques are based on the science of maintaining support to the body while allowing blood and other bodily fluids to move freely through and around the injured muscle. It works by stabilising the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues the tape is wrapped around.

Due to its malleable properties, Kinesio tape allows the connective tissue surrounding the affected muscle or tendon to move along with the body. It gently allows the free flow of blood and lymphatic fluid to cleanse and heal the inflammation without the use of medications or surgery.

By doing this, in conjunction with other therapies, it can help to improve circulation, support muscles, allow the internal injuries to heal, and assist to prevent further muscle injury while still allowing motion of the area the Kinesio Tape is applied too.

The Benefits: What Does Kinesio Tape Do?

When used in conjunction with other treatment techniques, Kinesio tape can provide benefits including:

  • free flow of blood and lymphatic fluid to improve pain and inflammation
  • Provide muscle, tendon and ligament support
  • Improve confidence in injured tissues during exercise
  • Aid in improving biomechanical positioning to assist in preventing injury

Hamstring Strain

Hamstring strains often require support through vulnerable ranges of motion. Kinesio tape can be a very effective way to support an injured muscle through extended ranges of motion. This can assist to alleviate pain and increase confidence and muscular support during exercise.

Shoulder Injury

Many shoulder injuries require further support. This allows pressure to be taken off certain structures. Kinesio tape can be a very effective short term tool to correct shoulder positioning whilst working on strength and long term shoulder positioning.

Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow typically requires varying amounts of offloading for pain relief. Kinesio tape is a tool used to provide relief by supporting the muscles and reducing the load off the tendons impacted. This aids in providing support of the area and confidence to keep exercising whilst continuing the strengthening and any treatment required.

Back Pain Relief

Twisting and bending are amongst many movements that are often painful whilst experiencing back pain. Kinesio tape can be very helpful in supporting the tight and painful muscles in our back, providing confidence and support throughout a wide range of motion.

Ankle Sprain & Plantar Fasciitis

Ankle sprains and Plantar Fasciitis are two common conditions that will benefit from being supported while they heal. Kinesio tape can be very effective in offloading either the ligaments that surround our ankle or on the bottom of our foot in order to help with being able to walk and run with decreased pain and increased confidence.

Knee Pain

There are many conditions that cause knee pain which often require scaled amounts of offloading to decrease pain. Kinesio tape does this effectively, providing relief and confidence through movement.

Hip Pain

Kinesio tape is often used for pain relief for various types of hip pain. The properties of the tape can help supporti key hip stabilising muscles through movement to provide confidence moving forward.

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What’s the Difference Between Athletic Tape and Kinesio Tape?

Athletic tape and Kinesio tape both have a place in the treatment of injuries as they provide different functions. The main purpose of regular athletic tape is to provide stability and support to an injured joint or muscle. This is done most often by immobilising it, due to the rigid nature of the tape. It is often the taping method of choice when any additional movement of the injured area could create further damage.

In contrast, the elastic and flexible nature of Kineso tape makes it much less suitable for situations where extreme support and stability are required. Instead, Kineso tape allows for a degree of safe movement within a joint or muscle. It can also be the tape of choice when relief from swelling and inflammation is desired to assist the healing process.

Related Services

  • Physiotherapy
  • Massage
  • Chiropractic
  • Podiatry

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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Kinesio tape is designed to withstand water and still retain its elastic properties. Bathing, showering and even swimming are fine to do whilst the tape is on.

Yes, many swimmers will often train and compete with tape on also.

Some people do experience minor skin allergic reactions to the adhesives used in the tape. This is something that your PEAK practitioner can check and screen for prior to use.

Yes, icing over kinesio tape can be done, however it is best to adhere to the advice of your practitioner.

Our locations

Hawthorne

PEAK Hawthorne opened in 2012 and was extended and renovated in 2020. You see the same team whether we see you at Hawthorne or one of our other clinics.  Hawthorne offers private treatment rooms and a spacious exercise area incorporating the latest equipment and technology, unrestricted single level access and off-street parking. We also provide HICAPS for real-time private health claiming.

Our locations

New Farm

PEAK New Farm opened in August 2019. You see the same team whether we see you at New Farm or one of our other clinics. New Farm offers private treatment rooms and a spacious exercise area incorporating the latest equipment and technology, unrestricted single level access and off-street parking. We also provide HICAPS for real-time private health claiming.

Hawthorne

Address
5/171 Riding Road,
Hawthorne, QLD, 4171
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Opening Hours -
6 days per week
  • Monday - Friday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Saturday: 7:00 am - 1:00 pm

To make a booking outside of business hours, please use our form by clicking here.

New Farm

Address
1/15 Lamington Street,
New Farm, QLD, 4005
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Opening Hours -
6 days per week
  • Monday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Thursday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Saturday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

To make a booking outside of business hours, please use our form by clicking here.