P5140010

"Fan" Strip Application

The Fan Strip is applied with the patient in a stretched position. For lymphtaic cor-rection nonę to very light, 0-15% of avail-able tension is added to the Kinesio Fan Strip tails (4-6). The Fan Strip tails are laid over the area of edema or swelling, with the base located in the area of a lymphatic duet. For a morę complete description see Lymphatic Corrective Technique.

"Web" Strip Application

Cut the Kinesio Strip into 4,5, or 6 strips. The Kinesio Tex Tape is cut allowing for each end to remain uncut. Begin by placing the patient in a mid-joint position. The web is applied by applying one base, remove the web strips, nonę to very light, 0-15% of available tension is added, and apply the second base. For a morę complete description see Space Corrective Technique.

Tape Remoyal

Following several days the acrylic adhesive will have become qu ite strong. During the first few days, if an edge of the tape has begun to lift, it can be trimmed. To remove the tape from the patient it is generally much easier to do when they have bathed or the tape is moist. It isbest to remove from the top down. This will be in the direction of the body hair and should limit discomfort. Lift the tape from the skin, applying tension between the skin and the tape, then push the skin away from the tape rather than pulling the tape away from the skin.

If the "grip and rip" method is used, an irritation, pain and erythema may result. The application of minerał oil to the Kinesio Tex Tape has assisted in tape removal.

Possible Limitations of the Kinesio Taping Method

A limited number of patients may have excessive body hair and may require shaving to clipping. A limited number of patients may f not allow the application of the Kinesio Taping Method due to their resistance to shaving. [

Approximately 20-30 minutes is reąuired fc for the glue to become fully activated before !! the patient can become physically active. If activity occurs prior to this time the tape may come off.

If Kinesio Tex Tape is applied during physi-1 cal activity an adhesive may be needed to prepare the skin. Several commercially pro-duced spray adherents are available. Once a spray adherent is used the removal of the Kinesio Tex Tape will be difficult. Commonly ? available tape adherent glue removers will not; affect the adhesive glue sińce it is not a rubber fj base as most athletic tapes.

Patient willingness and understanding of the three to four day application of the tech-nique. The patient must be aware that the tape is to remain on for several days and can 1 be wom while bathing or swimming. The tape 'i does not have to be removed if it has become j wet, only towel off excessive moisture and allow to air dry.

Inirial Difficulties in Application

The practitioner will need to "unleam" previous training for use of athletic tapes. The | pulling and taking out all of the stretch will diminish the effectiveness of the technique.

One must begin to think differently about the \ possible therapeudc use of tape instead of assisting or limiting a movement.

A proper muscle evaluation is required to g ensure the correct muscle involved in being fi treated. If following the initial Kinesio Taping fi Technique application the patients results were f not as effective as hoped, the practitioner may ? want to reevaluate the patient. If the involved j

muscle was not properly taped, an incorrect corrective technique was applied patient success may be limited.

If a patient has not wom Kinesio Tex Tape before they may not be willing to wear the tape out in public. The patient needs to be informed of the 3-5 days of application and that even after the Kinesio Tex Tape has become wet it will remain effective.

Sizes and Types of Kinesio Tex Tape

There are several sizes of the Kinesio Tex Tape available. Prima rily a practitioner will use the 2 inches (5 cm) by 5.4 yards (5 meters) size most commonly. This is available in natural and water resistant. If the water resistant product is selected the roli will be one meter less in length to account for the cost of the water resistant treatment. The water resistant works well in areas of high moisture or for patients working in moist environments. This size can also be purchased in a 34.5 yards (31 m) clinic roli for easier useage.

Also available is a 3-inch (7.5 cm) by 5.4 yards (5 meters) roli. This may be required on larger ind i vid uals or athletes. One inch (2.5 cm) by 5.4 yards (5 meters) meter roli. This may be used for finger or neurological taping. One and one half inch (3.75 cm) by 5.4 yards (5 meters) roli. This may be used on ankles or smaller patients.

The Kinesio Tex Tape is also available in red and blue in addition to the beige color. The red is a darker color on the light spectrum and will absorb morę light inereasing the temperaturę under the Kinesio Tex Tape Strip. The blue is a lighter color on the light spectrum and will reflect morę light decreasing the temperaturę under the Kinesio Tex Tape Strip. There are no differences in the manufacture of the tape except the change in the dye color required for a color difference.

If the practitioner determines an inerease in temperaturę is appropriate in the injury site the use of red Kinesio Tex Tape should be

selected. If the practitioner believes that a reduction in tissue temperaturę, such as in tendonitis, the use of the blue Kinesio Tape should be selected. Patients may have a preference to a color and this may affect their perception of the effectiveness of the treatment, unless the color of tape the patient wants is applied.

Adyanced Application Essentials

When applying the corrective techniques, there are a few essentials to a successful treatment for the patient. The practitioner must always fol Iow the basie essentials of tape application when using a basie Kinesio Taping Technique muscle application. Without properly applying the basie muscle application technique the success of the corrective tech-nique application may be limited. Proper skin preparation, remo va 1 of tape from paper backing, selection of tape wid th, tissue stretch, tape tension, direction of tape application, glue activation, and tape removal are all important in the overalI successful treatment of the patient.

When applying morę than one layer of the Kinesio Tex Tape the practitioner should first apply the Kinesio Strip which will provide the primary therapeudc effect desired. As succes-sive layers of Kinesio Tex Tape are applied their effect on the sensory receptors may create interference instead of elear spedfic sdmuli.

If the primary therapeutic goal is pain reduction, the practitioner may use a basie muscle technique from insertion to origin, with a space correction or lymphatic correction.

The practitioner may determine that the application of the lymphatic correction should be applied for the first 24-72 hours, then apply a space correction technique. After 72 hours application of the basie muscle with a me-chanical correction may be appropriate.

The best outeomes generally come from a less is better approach. Fewer layers of tape, less tension, and moderate downward pres-