Knee injuries are one of the most common sports injury complaints no matter what you play. Damage to the kneecap caused by falls and jolts is just one issue out of many that can cause intense pain during practice or play. The knee itself is made flexible by supporting tendons which can easily become inflamed and injured because of overuse. When problems like this occur, athletes rely on the practical healing techniques behind Kinesiology tape to soothe injuries and speed healing.
Kinesio Tape Knee Use
Unlike other athletic tapes, which can simply be unrolled around the knee and strictly hold the injured area in place, one of the first things you'll notice about Kinesio tape is that it allows your knee to flex and bend naturally. This likely goes contrary to anything you've heard about athletic tapes, but it's one of the underlying principles in how Kinesio tape, and its underlying area of study, kinesiology work. The premise is that leaving the area open and mobile improves circulation and helps the body heal itself more quickly and thoroughly than keeping the muscles or tendons still and hampering blood and lymph flow.
How To Apply Kinesiology Tape To The Knee
Elastic Therapeutic Tape comes in different varieties and cuts - such as I, X and Y - with the tape looking like the corresponding letter. This allows it to cover different muscle areas. For knee use, you can place a strip of tape on the outside of the calf and crisscross it to mimic the same hold as a knee brace. You can also use an X cut with a circular hole inside (for the kneecap) to add extra support behind the knee while allowing the muscles to bend and flex naturally. Applying Kinesio athletic tape to the knee this way helps reduce swelling, redness and edema which can come as a result of inflammation or direct impact to the knee. Don't apply tape liberally to the area as you would traditional athletic tape, as too much Kinesio tape inhibits the natural flow of blood and other fluids the body uses to help shuttle healing to the affected area.
Kineso Tape Knee Benefits
In addition to helping the muscles and supporting tendons heal after injury, Kinesiology tape can also be applied to the knee and other muscles to help increase blood flow to those areas and ease overworked or strained muscles. Many athletes use Kinesiology tape on their knees, wrists and shoulders as a preventative measure against injuries, while others believe it helps their muscles to relax properly after training. When used in this manner, it's important to apply the Kinesiology tape from the muscle closest to the heart heart along the muscle fiber for optimum results. Using Kinesio tape on knee injuries requires a different method and it's recommended that you consult with a therapist or trainer who has been certified in kinesiology and allow them to demonstrate how to wrap your knee properly using Kinesio tape. This ensures that the tape will work as it should and that your body will heal itself faster.
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