Turn Down the Volume on Pain

More specifically, it runs interference on pain. Ever whack your shin and rub it, and suddenly realize you feel better? Therapeutic tape on the skin can interfere with painful signals which are directed to the brain. When the signals arriving to the brain are altered, it does not produce the sensation of pain. When kinesiology tape is properly applied, many clients call it “magic” or think that it fixed their injury instantly. In fact, it helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down the pain “volume” that your body hears.  Therapeutic tape does so by affecting the nerve endings and different types of receptors in the skin of the injured area.

Redistributes Physical Stress

Unlike conventional taping which is meant to prevent any movement at all, this tape is meant to allow full movement of the taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, the tape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.

Decompresses an Area of Swelling and Inflammation

When tape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows for greater blood flow to and from an area, all while allowing the by-products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.

It does so by allowing congested or compressed blood vessels (capillaries, lymph vessels, arteries, veins) to flow more freely. It also creates more room in between layers of fascia, muscle, fat, skin, and other structures.

Normalizes Muscle Tone

When someone is injured, fatigued, sick, or inflamed, the symphony of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. Therapeutic Tape helps bring dormant muscle back to life and help calm down the overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren’t hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.