• Home
  • Articles
    • Front Page
    • General Interest
    • Snippets
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Council Comments
  • Competitions
  • Our Community
    • Our People
    • Question of the Week
    • Jobs in the Central West
    • Be Seen
    • What’s On
  • Features
    • Rural Round Up
    • My Place
    • Loving Local Living
    • Wellness Wise
    • Just a Short Drive
    • Real Estate
  • Sports
    • Bowls
    • Cricket
    • Equestrian
    • Footy Tips
    • Golf
    • Netball
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Soccer
    • Touch Football
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Page
    • Advertise with us
    • Testimonials
    • Submit an Article
    • Subscribe to the Forbes Phoenix

Forbes Phoenix

You are here: Home / Articles / General Interest / Kinesio Tape: Help Or Hype?

Kinesio Tape: Help Or Hype?

April 6, 2017 By editor

 

In 2008 Kinesio tape (K tape) was donated to 58 countries for use during the Olympic Games. By the 2016 Olympic Games it was hard to miss; brightly coloured strips of tape decorating the arms, legs and torsos of many high profile athletes. With this exposure, the use of K tape has become increasingly popular amongst the general population. The question must be asked – does it really work?

In a nutshell, K tape is brightly coloured, stretchy tape that is designed to stick to the skin. Proponents of K tape claim the adhe- sive backing on the tape lifts the skin, creating channels of less pressure. They claim it increases blood flow and lymphatic drainage and reduces pressure on nerves, muscles, tendons, stimulates mechano-receptors, improves sporting performance and decreases swelling and pain after injury.

The inconvenient truth for any K tape believer is that for every research paper that shows a positive effect there is another one that shows little or no effect. Numerous systematic reviews have analysed the research data and none have reached any firm conclusions.

Many therapists will argue; if the athlete thinks it helps with pain and performance why not use it? I do not agree. If pain is helped by the use of K tape then it is unlikely there was significant tissue damage in the first place. In this case, tape isn’t needed and shouldn’t be used as a crutch.

Sure, an athlete may feel better after putting some tape on but I prefer the athlete to get better and back to sport by moving without fear. For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

Filed Under: General Interest

Latest Print Editions

Click here to download the recent issue (277) of The Forbes Phoenix (1.7MB) – 5th March 2021 

STAY CONNECTED

The Forbes Phoenix would like to thank you, our Facebook friends, for your continued support and readership!

Central West Rural Round Up Booklet

Click here to download the Central West Rural Round Up Booklet

SEARCH THE PHOENIX

Recent Articles

  • Phoenix Welcomes New Sales Rep March 5, 2021
  • Snippets March 5, 2021
  • Netball News March 5, 2021
  • NSW Governor Visits CUC Parkes March 5, 2021
  • Forbes Council Takes Big Steps On More Social Housing March 5, 2021

CONTACT THE PHOENIX

Postal Address
PO Box 203

Canowindra NSW 2804

Editorial
editor@forbesphoenix.com.au

Sales Phone – 02 6344 1846 or 0477 309 807
sales@forbesphoenix.com.au

phone: (02) 6344 1846

View our Privacy Policy.
View our Conflict Resolution Process.
View our Ethics and Complaints Policy.
Want to advertise with us?
Information on our Community Promotions.

Submit an Article

We are always looking for new articles of interest to the local community.

Please feel free to submit an article for possible inclusion in a future issue.

To submit an article, click here to use our online article submission form.

Receive The Phoenix via Email

* indicates required

Copyright © 2021 · Website setup by WebSysMan