Kinesio taping. What is it in cosmetology, medicine, sports. Tapes, aesthetic, lymphatic drainage from wrinkles, nasolabial folds

Kinesio taping, or kinesio taping, is a technique that involves the use of special tapes in case of dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. This concept is formed by two terms - kinesio (movement) and tape (tape).

Depending on the application technique, the color and structure of the tapes, the modern taping method is applied in many areas and helps to cope with various medical and aesthetic problems. Before using the technique in a given situation, it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules for applying tapes, the mechanism of action, indications and contraindications.

What is taping and taping

Kinesio taping is such an effective tool used in medical therapy, preventive measures, and aesthetic cosmetology. The main feature of the method is the use of a special colored tape - tape, which is applied to problem areas, fixing in the right direction, without blocking muscle work.

Tapes for taping are made of natural materials - silk, nylon or 100% cotton. On the inside of the tape, which resembles a plaster, there is an adhesive layer that does not contain toxic or drugs. Due to the special structure, the tape is elastic, stretchable and firmly fixed in the desired direction.

On the body, the teip is almost imperceptible, the application is fixed in the problem area for several 3-7 days, while continuing to actively engage in daily activities, sports, swim without restrictions and unpleasant restraint of movements. In the process of round-the-clock kinesiotherapy, there is a positive effect and a healing effect, mobilizing and improving the natural reserves of the body.

As a result of a correctly chosen application technique, it is possible to suppress pain syndrome in a short time, restore microcirculation, improve lymph outflow, relieve swelling and muscle hypertonicity, and simulate tissue recovery processes.

What does the color of the tapes matter?

For kinesio taping, colored tapes with an adhesive base are used. According to experts, color therapy has a positive physiological effect, each color evokes various associations and emotions that accelerate the recovery process and enhance the healing effect. Therefore, the choice of tape color for procedures is one of the main criteria.

Manufacturers offer tapes in several shades:

• brown, beige - the tapes merge with the skin as much as possible, are invisible on the body, have stabilizing properties;
• black - are used for water sports, have a warming effect and are better in water;
• blue, blue - cool, soothe, provide a relaxation effect, promote a speedy recovery;
• green - beneficial for the psyche, natural color, provides accelerated regeneration and restoration of balance in the body;

• red - with a warming effect to stimulate anti-inflammatory processes, replenish energy reserves;
• pink - to improve a positive attitude, associated with lightness, youth, freshness;
• yellow, orange - sunny shades with a warming effect, to stimulate recovery, energize and get positive emotions;
• purple - with a neutral physiological effect, the color symbolizes wisdom, calmness.

Manufacturers offer tapes with original design prints. Unusual stylish ribbons evoke vivid emotions, creating a good mood, which contributes to a speedy recovery. In the opinion of many, the color of the tape does not have a determining value, only the psychological attitude and aesthetic differences of the tapes.

As practice shows, with frequent contact with moisture, when doing water sports, kinesio tapes of dark shades are more reliably retained on the body.

The difference between kinesio taping and hard taping

Kinesio taping is a preventive therapy and treatment that encompasses several types of techniques. There are 2 main methods - kinesio taping and hard taping technique. The techniques are largely similar, in both cases the application of tapes to problem areas is used.

Despite the general orientation of the techniques, there are several fundamental differences between the types of taping, which can be considered through the list of the main criteria for choosing the type of procedure.

Hard taping is also called sports. The method is used both as a therapeutic and preventive measure. For example, at competitions, athletes fix the ankles or other parts of the body that are subject to stretching by applying a rigid tape. This technique ensures comfort and avoids serious injury.

Kinesio taping is a technique using elastic multi-colored tapes with a reflex and mechanical type of influence.

The technology of applying tapes stretching in one direction allows you to reduce the severity of pain and control muscle tone in the problem area.

The main areas of use of kinesio taping

The modern method of kinesio taping has found effective application in various fields. Until recently, the technique was used exclusively in the field of sports medicine for the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.

Thanks to the many-sided positive impact, today the technique of applying tapes effectively works in many areas and is actively used by specialists.

It:

• in the field of lymphology;
• for the prevention of the development and physiology of scoliosis in children and adults;
• with cerebral palsy, treatment of valgus and other musculoskeletal pathologies;
• in the treatment, facilitation of rehabilitation after various types of injuries;
• pediatrics and orthopedics;
• in manual therapy;
• in the field of sports stabilization, therapy;
• in neurology, post-stroke rehabilitation;
• in the field of maxillofacial therapy for the correction of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints;

• in the field of aesthetic cosmetology for the elimination and prevention of various defects.

The wide field of application is due to the fact that the extensibility properties of the tapes are identical to the elasticity of the skin. When applying the tape, a lifting effect occurs, natural stimulation of receptors and an immediate decrease in compression, which contributes to the restoration and normalization of lymph flow and microcirculation.

Thanks to various techniques of applying elastic bands, it is possible to activate the body's reserves for self-healing without the use of additional therapy with drugs, physiotherapy, and external ointments.

Indications

Kinesio taping is a modern technology for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in the medical, sports and cosmetic fields. Such an overlay of teips allows you to activate the natural protective, restorative processes in the body without restricting freedom of movement.

Kinesio taping is a modern technique used to correct and treat:

• musculoskeletal system injuries (dislocations, bruises, sprains);
• muscle inflammation, joint damage, tendons;
• the presence of edema, hematomas, diseases of the lymphederma;
• severe pain syndrome;
• polyneuropathy;
• Cerebral palsy, scoliosis, hernias, pediatric torticollis;
• cicatricial, age-related changes in the epidermis, lumbago;
• headaches, nervous pains;
• providing lifting of swollen areas of the face, neck;
• wrinkles, double chin;
• ptosis of facial contours, flews;
• bone pathologies - periarthritis, arthrosis, epidcolitis, osteochondrosis;
• lower back pain, leg swelling in pregnant women.

Kinesio taping is actively used in the field of pediatrics in children with impaired functional motor skills. Correct application of tapes allows you to quickly get rid of menstrual pain.

Kinesio taping is one of the therapeutic methods for quick recovery in the postoperative period, activating the natural reserves of the body, and serves as a prophylaxis against the formation of coarse keloid scars.

Contraindications

Kinesio taping is a safe, relatively simple procedure. When elastic adhesive tapes are applied to problem areas or areas requiring correction, full mobility is retained.

The method can be combined with various types of massage, cryotherapy and electrical stimulation sessions. Before using the technique, it is important not only to choose the correct way to apply the tape, but also to exclude the presence of contraindications in the patient.

The main contraindications include:

• the presence of dermatological problems in the field of tape application;
• allergic reactions to the constituent ingredients of the adhesive composition;
• infectious, mental, neurological pathologies;
• coronary artery disease or carotid artery changes;
• open wounds, abrasions, skin lesions of the epidermis in the area of ​​application;
• increased body temperature;
• thrombosis, thrombophlebitis of deep veins of the extremities;
• oncology, carcinomas, not diagnosed neoplasms in the area of ​​tape application;
• with severe edema caused by pathologies of the kidneys and cardiovascular system.

Taping is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy, there is a possibility of providing additional segmental stimulation of organs.

In case of diabetes mellitus, the technique is used with caution. Application can cause an increased modified insulin requirement, especially when the tape is applied at the insulin injection sites.

The principle of kinesio taping and its effects

The principle of action consists in applying tapes 5-10 cm wide and 10 cm long to a problem, damaged or painful area. Upon contact with the skin, the adhesive layer softens, the action is activated by heating from body temperature. The application can stay on the skin for up to 7 days without restricting freedom of movement and taking water treatments.

The length of the tape can reach several tens of cm, and the shape of the application depends on the specifics of the damage or the characteristics of the correction zone. To achieve the desired effect, many methods have been developed for fixing the tape. The method can be used as an independent therapy or as part of various prophylactic, treatment or rehabilitation programs.

The peculiarity of the technique lies in the identity of the tension of the tapes and the elastic properties of the epidermis. This property allows you to take on most of the load of damaged areas, helping to function. There are a number of scientifically proven justifications for the application of the methodology, positive results obtained in practice.

The following effect is observed from the use of kinesio taping sessions:

• By tensioning the fabric tapes, the area of ​​interstitial spaces increases inside.
• Muscle tone changes positively, there is an effect on intero-, proprioceptors.
• The vector blending technique simulates a motion pattern.
• By active influence on the organs of the associated muscles, visceral disorders are regulated and normalized.
• With a decrease in compression, the severity of pain syndrome decreases significantly.
• Due to the regulation of natural internal processes, there is a decrease in puffiness, elimination of signs of lymphostasis.
• The circulation improves, the healing process, the resorption of hematomas is accelerated.
• Thanks to the active action on the muscles, ligaments, stabilization occurs, and the functions of the joints are improved.
• Relief of internal pain by actively influencing the fascial network.
• Provides an anti-inflammatory and relaxation effect for overstrained muscles by fixing an elastic band in the damaged area.

As a rule, taping is used in the treatment of various injuries at all stages, reducing pain, reducing swelling and stimulating the resorption of hematomas by increasing blood flow, also weakening muscle spasm, immobilizing and stabilizing the injured joint.

It has been experimentally proven that the kinesio taping method is able to relieve stomach, headache, nervous, menstrual pains, helps pregnant women (from the second trimester) to relieve excessive stress on the spine, relieving fatigue and back pain.

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Various options for kinesiology tapes

The tapes are made of cotton and acrylic. An adhesive hypoallergenic layer is applied on the inner side of the tape, which ensures reliable fixation of the tape in the area of ​​the damaged area. The tape can remain on the skin for up to 5-7 days, providing a therapeutic effect during this period.

When choosing a tape for taping, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• Colour. All tapes are multi-colored, the effect largely depends on the selected shade or print.
• Adhesive layer. There are tapes with reinforced glue that can stay on the skin longer than the standard treatment period. The tapes with soft glue are suitable for children and especially sensitive skin areas.
• Composition. The basis of a quality tape is breathable, cotton so that the skin can breathe freely. Manufacturers also offer taping tapes made of nylon, rayon, hypoallergenic acrylic.
• Extensibility. The tape is produced pre-stretched by 15-20%.Each modification of the tape has an elongation rate of 120-140% of the original length, after application it contracts.
• Manufacturing firm. Producers of quality taping tapes are RockTape and BBTape. When choosing a heat, it is important not to buy a fake, which will reduce the effectiveness of the application to zero.

• Design. All tapes are designed for a specific area of ​​application - sports injuries, elimination of cosmetic defects, treatment of lymphoderma and removal of puffiness.

There are more than 50 variations of kinesio tapes on sale, you can choose a modification yourself, knowing about the properties and functions of each modification.

It should be understood that an incorrectly selected and applied tape can not only minimize the effect, but also aggravate the problem.

Therefore, for effective treatment, it is worth choosing the type of tape and the method of application with the advice of a taping specialist or a doctor's recommendation.

Taping technique

Kinesio taping is such a broad concept that combines several basic techniques:

• Muscular.
• Ligamentous.
• Correctional.
• Functional.
• Fascial-corrective.
• Lymphatic.
• Neural.

In the process of correction or treatment, the technique of lifting, lymphatic drainage, and vector taping is most often used. All techniques are only at first glance the same, but the effect, principle of overlaying and action of the tape for solving a particular problem is different.

Lifting method

This technique is one of the main ones.

The principle consists in several rules for applying a lifting application:

• The area under the tape with underlying tissues in the problem area is lifted.
• There is an increase in interstitial space with a decrease in compression in the overlapping area.
• A favorable environment is created for the activation of internal sanogenetic processes.

The procedure provides a powerful lifting effect on the problem area. All functions and natural processes are internally corrected, so after removing the tape, the result is preserved.

Vector taping

Vector taping is one of the main methods. The main function of the technique is to correct muscle work. The principle consists in the active influence in a simulating way on proprioceptors, interoreceptors.

The bottom line is to use tape for taping in case of locomotion disorders, which allows you to change the pattern of movement.

Lymphatic drainage

The lymphatic drainage taping technique improves lymph movement resulting in:

• normalization of microcirculation;
• activation of lymph flow;
• accelerated exchange of interstitial fluids.

The method is actively used in the treatment of lymphostasis, microcirculation disorders, the development of hematomas, edema, and other metabolic dysfunctions, transportation of fluids in tissues and interstitial space.

How to prepare for the procedure

The kinesiological taping technique includes several basic techniques for applying applications with various types of kinesio tapes. The choice of tapes depends on the type, severity of injuries or the characteristics of the zone to be corrected.

So that the tape does not harm, there are a number of preparation rules, therefore, before applying the application, you must:

• conduct an adequate analysis and assessment of the condition;
• conduct a series of orthopedic tests;
• choose a tape of the desired color and with an optimal expansibility index;
• clean, dry and degrease the area where the tape is applied;

• to ensure better adhesion and painless removal of the application, remove hair in the problem area.

The taping result depends on the correct position and direction. Therefore, the examination and analysis of the physical condition with the necessary tests is performed by a specialist.

If the tape is applied in order to avoid trauma, stretching or bruising, the preparation procedure with application of the application must be completed within 30 minutes. before the start of sports training.

Schemes and rules for aesthetic taping of the face and neck

Kinesio taping is such a general concept that includes aesthetic taping. The technique of applying adhesive tapes on the face and neck area is used in rejuvenation programs, allowing you to correct problem areas without surgery.

The key to success is the choice of the optimal corrective placement scheme and compliance with the rules of aesthetic taping.

With the help of sessions you can:

• get rid of age, expression wrinkles, deep folds;
• eliminate puffiness, bags under the eyes;
• align the relief;
• pull up the outer corners of the eyelids;
• reduce the severity of the double chin;
• simulate the contour.

Due to the simplicity of the technique, as well as the lifting effect created by the application, you can carry out the correction yourself, without the use of expensive drugs and equipment. It will not be possible to achieve a visible result in one session, a course of daily taping is required. Each site is adjusted according to a specific, individually selected scheme.

Taping to get rid of nasolabial folds and lift cheekbones

Instructions:

1. Prepare a tape 1 cm wide, the length is measured individually depending on the structural features, round the ends of the tape.
2. Fasten the anchor of the patch under the smile line (nasolabial fold), tighten the muscles, slightly inflating the cheek.
3. Stick the strip up diagonally. Apply 2-3 stripes on each side.

From wrinkles around the eyes

Instructions:

1. Cut off two strips 4 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. The length is selected depending on the features of the structure of the face. Round the corners of each element.
2. Anchor the end of the strip at a point at the outer edge of the eyebrow. With your palm, gently pull the skin slightly from the temple to the back of the head.
3. Fix the strip diagonally, but without too much tension. Direction - from bottom to top to the temporal zone. Apply the tapes on the other side in the same way.

From horizontal wrinkles on the forehead

Instructions:

1. Cut four strips 2 cm wide. Round the corners of each element.
2. Fasten the first tape at a point above the eyebrow, stepping back a little less than 1 cm from the base of the line.
   
3. Pull the forehead tissues slightly upward, smoothing the correction area. Without releasing, fix the strip without pulling. Attach the rest of the stripes in the same way.

From eyebrow wrinkles

Instructions:

1. Prepare strips 2.5 cm wide.
2. Stretch the brow wrinkle slightly in opposite directions.
3. Attach the tape to the smooth area of ​​the skin without pulling the fabric.

From flews, to tighten the oval of the face

Instructions:

1. Cut a strip 2.5 cm wide. Determine the length by measuring the distance under the chin from ear to ear. Approximate length - 23-25 ​​cm. Round off the corners of the tape.
2. Break the protective tape in the middle of the tape. Tighten the skin by pulling the lower lip over the upper. Pull the skin up a little in the ears.
3. Glue the cover without tension under the chin, securing the ends in the parotid area.

From wrinkles around the mouth

Instructions:

1. To smooth out purse-string wrinkles (around the lips), you need to prepare 5 strips 2.5 cm wide for the upper lip area and 3 strips for the lower one.
2. Stretch the skin slightly to the sides above the upper lip, stick the tapes diagonally upward, without stretching.
   
3. Pull the skin slightly down under the lower lip, stick the tape diagonally downward, without pulling it.

Lymphatic drainage taping of the face

To relieve puffiness on the face, the method of lymphatic drainage taping is used.

Terms of use:

• The stripes are glued in a wave-like manner.
• The direction of the applique is wavy, with minimal tension.
• The anchor of the strip is placed above the lymph node, and the tape itself is placed along the canals.

How to remove

It is strongly not recommended to rip off the tape.

To painlessly remove it from the skin area, you can use:

• special liquid or spray;
• warm water, thoroughly wetting the tape;
• skin cleaner (Sterilium);
• baby nourishing oil.

Rectangular I-tape

Instructions:

1. Moisten the patch thoroughly with warm water or greasy cream.
2. Pry the edge from the outside.
   
3. Slowly lifting the strip, remove in the direction of the massage line to the base of the strip.

Fan-shaped lymph tape

Instructions:

1. Soak each strip thoroughly with warm water, nutritious oil or fatty cream.
2. Pry the edge from the outside.
3. Remove slowly each strip towards the lymph nodes.

The modern technique of kinesio taping is a tool that includes several different techniques with the imposition of tape... Such treatment and preventive measures will allow you to get rid of pain without the use of drug therapy, heal injuries, bruises, sprains, and improve the aesthetic condition of the skin of the face and neck.

Article design: Anna Vinnitskaya

Kinesio Taping Videos

The basics of kinesio taping:

https://youtu.be/70gjd5w9uQY