Kinesio Taping Techniques

Athletes utilize athletic taping to provide support to sensitive joints within the body during physical activities to prevent injury. The Kinseio taping was developed in 1973 by Dr. Kenzo Kase to provide physiological benefits to several bodily systems. The specific placement of Kinseio Tex Tape on the body affects the muscular, lymphatic/circulatory and neural systems as well as providing support for joints.

Neck Taping

This taping method will support the trapezious muscle group, which is located directly behind the neck and reaching down toward your shoulder blades. To begin this taping method, you will need the black "Y" strip as well as the pink Kenesio tape. The first step to properly taping the neck is to place the base point of the "Y" strip, where the two ends meet, on the upper section of your neck where your hair line stops. Allow the two arms of this "Y" strip to extend down over the back of the trapazoids and reaching the top of the shoulder blades. The next step is to slightly bend your chin down toward your chest and place the pink tape 1 to 2 inches below the head of the "Y" strip. Wrap this tape firmly around the back of the neck so it securely fashions around the spine. You will then want to remove the paper backing off the "I" strip of tape and apply the ends of the tape over the areas of the neck that are strained.

Arm Taping

This Kinesio taping method is designed to provide relief from carpel tunnel syndrome. To begin, you will need to gather the "X" tape and "I" tape. To start, hold your arm out in front of you with your palm facing toward the ceiling. Apply the "X" tape on the forearm, starting at the half-way point between your wrist and elbow and then extending the tail to stretch toward the base of your thumb and the other tail toward the base of your pinky finger. Slightly stretch the tails on your forearm up toward the outer and inner sides of the elbow. Next, circle the "I" strip of tape firmly around the top of your wrist so that they do not meet on the inside of your wrist but rather support the edges of the "X" tape.

Shoulder Taping

For athletes and weight lifters who utilize their shoulder muscles, this taping technique will provide stability to the joints of this body part. To begin, you will need to gather a "Y" strip and an "I" strip of tape; the exact length of these strips will be determined on the size of your shoulders.

To begin, place the "Y" strip on the exterior side of your arm, in-between the elbow and shoulder joints. From this base point, encircle the shoulder muscle with the tape strips, but do not allow them to touch at the top of the shoulder. Extend your arm directly out to your side so that your elbow is parallel with your shoulder and place the "I" strip at the top of your shoulder muscle and extend it straight down the arm to your elbow. Firmly rub the tape in place to activate the glue and then drop the arm back down to your side.

References

• Kinesio Taping Method
• Kinesio Taping - Neck Taping
• Kinesio Taping - Arm Taping

Resources

• Kinesio Taping - Shoulders
• Kinesio Tex Tape
• How to Cut Kinesio Tex Tape