Have you ever seen athletes wearing wide bands of tape around their joints and wondered what that tape is for? This is known as kinesiology taping and it’s not just for athletes. If you’re a runner or someone who wants help reducing knee pain, it may be able to benefit you.
Kinesiology tape is a very stretchy tape made of a cotton-and-nylon blend. It’s designed to flex and stretch with your skin so it can remain attached when you move through your full range of motion. It’s also water-resistant so your sweat won’t slide the tape off when you’re working out.
What can kinesiology taping do for my knees?
So, it’s great that kinesiology tape is sticky and flexes with your skin, but you may be wondering how it can actually benefit you. Researchers are still discovering the benefits of kinesiology taping, but for now, we know it helps with:
- Reducing and preventing pain — Kinesiology tape works by lifting the skin away from the muscles and soft tissue underneath. This helps create space that can reduce irritation in the muscles and soft tissue during physical activity, which helps reduce and prevent pain.
- Supporting weak muscles — The tension from the tape can help support weak muscles and joints. Whether you like to run or walk, kinesiology tape can help support knees with IT band syndrome and other painful conditions.
- Supporting your posture — Poor posture contributes to pain and stiffness in your joints. The tension from the kinesiology tape helps to encourage your joints toward a correct posture to help reduce pain and stiffness.
- Improving blood flow — Some research shows that kinesiology taping can help improve the circulation of your blood and fluids. This is beneficial because the knees need the nutrients and oxygen delivered by the blood to function correctly.
Visit SOL Physical Therapy + Performance today for kinesiology taping
Are you interested in trying kinesiology taping to help treat and prevent knee pain? Our team at SOL Physical Therapy + Performance can help you correctly tape your knees and other joints that can benefit from kinesiology taping. Contact our team today for more information about kinesiology taping or to schedule an initial appointment.
