Each of you probably knows what kinesiotape is. Kinesiological taping helps against muscle strain and problems with the ligament and tendon apparatus. We would like to tell you a bit about Mueller Kinesiology today, so you also know how to use it easily and correctly and what kinesiotape does at all. Of course, there are also further possibilities of application.
Introduction
Kinesiological taping has been used for more than 30 years successfully against problems at the tendon an ligament, muscle tension and in addition to many therapies. A big advantage of the tape is that it is almost free of side effects. When used correctly, various techniques, muscle and joint functions can be supported or normalized, the tendon and ligament apparatus can be relieved, the lymph drainage on the disease pattern. Kinesiotape lasts approximately one week and thus has a high long-term comfort.
Basic instructions for kinesiotape
The following must be observed before using the Kinesiotape: The skin must be free of grease and dry. The kinesiotape should be applied at least 30 minutes before the next physical or sporting activity. The exact length of the tape must always be determined beforehand. It is important that the length is measured directly on the body and that an elongation of the tape is taken into account.
After applying it to the skin, the tape has to be heated by rubbing it in order to improve the adhesive contact between the skin and the tape. Do not touch the glue side and do not remove the tape again and re-glue it, as the tape will not stick a second time.
When removing the tape, it is important that the tape is removed in the hair diretion. When you get skin irritation, the tape should be removed immediately and a doctor or pharmcist should be consulted prior or further use.
Different tape forms
At Mueller Kinesiology, there are three different tape forms, There is the I-Tape, the Y-Tape and the fan-tape and we will tell you now how to use these tapes.
I-Tape
Important like with all types of Kinesiotape: Measure the length of the tape on the body, cut it off and round off the corners with the scissors. In the case of muscle tapes, the foil must be carefully rolled out with one finger at one end of the strip. On the other hand, at ligament tapes the foil is mostly centered or where the base is to be placed. From this point the foil is then peeled off in both directions.
Y-Tape
Again as with any tape type: Measure te length of the tape on the body and cut it off. Then the tape has to be divided once again, although a base of at least 3cm should remain undivided. Then round off all cornders again. Remose the foil only from the base and not from the Y-strip. Only after the foil has been attached to the skin at this point, the foil of the Y-strips should be peeled off.
Fan-tape
Basically, the application works the same as the Y-Tape, except that the tape is cut 3 or 4 times. However, a base of at least 3 cm must also remain undivided here and the foil should always be peeled off from the fan strip which is to be placed next.
Colors
The Kinesiotapes, as you may have already noticed, have different colors. This is not arbitrary, because each color has different properties. Nasara Kinesiology Tape is offered in the classic colors of the Asian colors. Pink stands for activating and warming, turquoise stands for shooting and cooling, black stands for inactive and meditative and beige stands for neutral.
Muscle systems
Kinesiotape is used on the complete musculature and can improve the pain symptoms and change the mobility as well as the resilience positively. The muscle must be pre-stretched and held. The tape is applied to the stretched muscle with a low tension (10% maximum). As soon as the muscle is relaxed, the tape throws small wrinkles, which actively effect a pressure relief of the receptors. However, the base is always applied without stretching.
Cervical spine, muscles in the neck area or stiff neck?
Use an ordinary I-Tape. The base of the tape is glued without tension to the shoulder center. At the same time, the head must be bent and lowered in the opposite direction in order to obtain a pretension. Apply the tape at the most with a 10% pre-tension to the hairline.
Lumbar spine
For the lumbar spine take a Y-Tape. Tear the foil off where the tape divides. The person has to bend forward to the front. The base of the tape is then placed just above the coccyx. Then apply a strip of the tape to the left and the other to the right of the spine with a tension of 10%.
Ligament system
The ligament systems are used in injuries to the tendon and ligament apparatus. They relieve them and improve the position (proprioception) and can also have a positive effect on pain symptoms. The tape has to be glued under almost maximum stretching, with approximately 3 cm of the ends of the tape strip being fixed without stretching.
Patellar tendon
Here you grab an I-Tape. When the leg is extended, the base of the Kinesiotape is glued to the shoulder of the tendon and under the knee disc. Bend the knee over the right angle and then glue the tape over the knee with almost maximum strain.
Pain Points
An I-Tape is also used for pain points. 4 tapestrips are cut to size. The foil of the tapestrips must be torn in the middle as explained earlier. Then, the first stiffener must be glued horizontally at maximum elongation of the tape strip. Important is the center of the pain point. Then the remaining tapestrips are glued in the same pattern (1x perpendicular, 1x diagonal right, 1x diagonal left).
Fascial systems
Here, inflammation and localized muscle hardening of fascia (connective tissue tubing around muscle and tendon) are treated. Pain relief and lossening of the fascia can be achieved. As always, the base is fixed without stretching. The rest of the tape is piecemeal, always 2 – 4 cm one after the other and the last 3 – 4cm again without stretching.
Muscle fiber tears, strains
Here you can use a Y- and a I-Tape. The base is glued briefly under the aera of injury. The two strips are then applied (piece by piece) along the area (v-shaped) according to the fascia technique. The base of the 2. Y-Tapestripe is stuck briefly over the injury area and then glued like Tape 1 only in the other direction. With a ligament system the treatment can be supplemented. Then tear the I-Tape strip back in the middle and stick it to the pain point with maximum pull. Fasten the ends without stretching.
Lymphatic system
They are used wherever the lymph flow is to be supported or in case of large bruises. The base is glued to the nearest lymph nodes without stretching. From there, the tape is glued in the course of the lymphatics, whereby the pre-stretching of 10% can be taken over. Classicly, the tape is cut into up to 4 stripes.
Swollen legs
Here one reaches for a fan. First prepare the tape according to the instruction of the fan tapes. The base of the tape is then glued in the middle of the knee without stretching. Now the splitted stripes are glued one after the other around the leg, taking the pre-stretch of 10%.
In many indications, investment techniques can also be combined, for example with the achilles tendon pain.
We hope we could help you with our information about the kinesiotape and you can now take full advantage of the kinesiotape.
