Kinesio taping – a healing and supportive method in various fields of medicine, dentistry, sport and physiotherapy

Abstract

Kinesio taping (KT) is a method of elastic taping, created in the 1970s by a Japanese chiropractor, Dr. Kenzo Kase. The aim of this study was to present KT techniques and its application in various fields of medicine, sports and rehabilitation. The publications used in this paper were sourced from the PubMed and the Google Scholar databases. The keywords used to search databases included KT, Kinesio taping, medicine, dentistry and sport. Based on this study, it can be concluded that KT is the most recommendable method. Its use is being increasingly popular in many fields of medicine. It can be considered as an alternative for painkillers, especially in patients for whom the use of painkillers is not advisable or ineffective due to their condition. KT is well tolerated by patients and saves time; therefore, its use should be taken into account in various medical environments. In order to use this method, one should complete specialized courses, which, on the one hand, provide theoretical basis for its use, and on the other hand, teach how to choose original tapes in a practical way, as well as apply appropriate techniques in order to observe and compare the effects of one’s work – therapy and treatment.

Association of Polymorphism within the Putative miRNA Target Site in the 3′UTR Region of the DRD2 Gene with Neuroticism in Patients with Substance Use Disorder

“…This issue has been studied extensively. However, studies in the field of mental and general health have proved that they are tied very closely with a relationship with personality traits and environmental psychological factors [ 168 , 169 , 170 , 171 ].…”

Effects of Kinesio Taping on Edema Control in Patients With Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Literature Review

“…As a Japanese chiropractor, Dr. Kenso Kase developed KT techniques in the 1970s; the use of KT has become popular, especially among athletes and practitioners [3]. Kase et al [3] proposed that the unique design of KT mimics the thickness and weight of the skin and that it has various benefits such as protecting and supporting the joint or muscle, improving proprioception, decreasing pain and inflammation, and reducing edema [4][5][6].…”

“…One of the distinct roles of KT compared with traditional tapes is to increase blood and lymphatic flow [4]. The conventional lymphatic treatment recommended by the International Society of Lymphology is complete decongestive therapy, including elastic compression and lymphatic drainage, to increase lymphatic flow by eliminating excessive lymphatic fluid, resulting in sustaining a reduced circumference of the region [7,8].…”

“…The conventional lymphatic treatment recommended by the International Society of Lymphology is complete decongestive therapy, including elastic compression and lymphatic drainage, to increase lymphatic flow by eliminating excessive lymphatic fluid, resulting in sustaining a reduced circumference of the region [7,8]. KT causes the target skin to lift and wrinkle, meaning that lifting increases the space between the skin and muscles [4,9]. As a result, taping improves microcirculation and reduces swelling [4].…”

“…KT causes the target skin to lift and wrinkle, meaning that lifting increases the space between the skin and muscles [4,9]. As a result, taping improves microcirculation and reduces swelling [4]. Furthermore, KT creates in a constant low pressure on the target skin so that lymphatic flow is increased.…”