How does kinesiology tape work?

Whether you've begun fitness training or just getting back into the gym after a long hiatus, you may have noticed the colorful tape worn by professional and amateur athletes alike popping up all over the place. But it's not a fashion statement - it's kinesiology tape! Let's dive in to find out how this FSA eligible item works and how it can treat common pain conditions.

What is kinesiology?

Kinesiology has become an increasingly popular field of complementary health or natural medicine that refers to the study of the body's mechanics of biomechanical, physiological and psychological mechanisms of movement. One of the fundamental premises of kinesiology is that the body has innate healing energy and is always in the state of active healing, but in certain cases, the mechanics of body positioning and adjustments can promote this healing process further.

A "kinesiologist" is not currently a licensed professional designation in the U.S., but those with training in this area typically have specialties in the fields of physical rehabilitation, human motor performance and ergonomics. Ultimately, the vast majority of individuals who consider themselves as kinesiologists are those who are specialists in "exercise physiology," or the study of physiological responses to physical exercise and the rehabilitative efforts to help the body achieve peak performance.

What is kinesiology tape?

One of the most common kinesiology products is kinesiology tape, which is designed to aid the healing process of sore muscles and joints by providing support and stability to these areas without restricting the patient's range of motion. According to KinesioTaping.com, through the use of soft tissue manipulation, experts can utilize kinesiology tape in specific taping techniques to allow muscles and ligaments to be stabilized to prevent further damage or re-injury. This strategy has become increasingly popular in the treatment of pain, rehabilitation, stabilization before athletic competition and much more.

Kinesiology taping falls under a wide umbrella of proven physiotherapy techniques, including joint mobilization/manipulation, minimal energy techniques (METs), muscle stretching, neurodynamics and soft tissue rehabilitation. Before working with kinesiology tape, seek out the assistance of a personal trainer or physiologist to ensure that you are using the tape correctly to treat a specific pain or muscle issue, suggests Mayo Clinic.

If you're interested in learning more about kinesiology taping, KT Tape™ is a good place to start! KT Tape™ is one of the most popular kinesiology tapes on the market, and the company has a huge range of instructional videos on their YouTube channel to help you learn more about kinesiology taping and gain the skills necessary to apply the tape on your own. To browse our selection of kinesiology tapes and thousands of other FSA eligible products, be sure to visit FSAstore.com!