Kinesiology means the study of body movement. Kinesiology taping helps the body recover by using tape to provide support and stability to muscles and joints without hindering movement. Perhaps you’ve noticed this tape on Olympic athletes like divers and swimmers! Kinesio taping (as it’s called) is appropriate to improve athletes’ performances, to prevent injury and to heal an injury by decreasing pain and swelling. Because of its use for helping injury, taping is not just for athletes. For anyone who has pain or swelling from injury or after some surgeries, taping may provide relief. Generally, the tape should not be worn for more than 5 days and should be applied by someone trained in its use such as an athletic trainer, physical therapist, or chiropractor.
Master’s of Occupational Therapy Junior at Gannon University, Erie, PA