Kinesiology tape is a stretchy tape often seen on Olympic and professional athletes.  It is a new type of taping that allows the body to move while supporting the area that is taped. 

 

At first people wonder how this will help and then after the application of the tape they are asking “What is in this? Is this magic?”  It works because the stretch of the tape allows the skin to stretch. In the skin, there are little receptors all over that detect stretch which are called proprioceptors. 

 

This stretch is a sensation and since sensation fibers run to the brain faster than pain fibers it helps reduce pain. This then allows for increased muscle activation blood flow and lymphatic flow which gives the injured area the needed nutrients to heal quicker.   This tape can be used in all types of injuries from back pain to ankle sprains.

 

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