Kinesio Taping at the Olympics
During
the Olympics, many folks noticed the kinesio tape on athletes from many
countries. There were a couple articles calling it hokum and some
orthopedists consulted on the topic generally sniffed at it and called it a
useless eccentricity. It should be noted that that's what most of the
medical profession used to say about exercise as well. My profession,
chiropractors who use physical therapy, have been teaching the importance of
exercise in our schools since the 1930's. I briefly met Dr. KenzoKase, kinesio tape's inventor, while he was visiting our mutual alma mater, the
National College of Chiropractic. While kinesio tape is not a major
part of my practice, it's something that I've used over the years, and I have a
handle on it's use.
Kinesio tape is not
magic, but it's very helpful for some patients in some situations. It's
lighter, easier to apply, and less restricting than several other taping
systems. Yes, there are times when other tape is better.
There are not robust studies for it's efficacy, there's the one goodone on shoulder pain .
There's also
studies saying that "conventional" athletic taping or bracing is of no benefit, but
I think it can be if you choose the right patient.
An Explanation of Kinesio Taping
This is how I usually
describe it when I put it on patients: When you have a broken bone, one
of the most horrible sensation is the fragility that comes with instability,
that feeling that something is truly out of place. In milder sprains and
strains, when there's very little true ligamentous instability, there's still a
component of that feeling. So while nothing is broken, there may be no
ligament or tendon that's disrupted, x-ray and MRI may be negative, but
something in the injured region is telling the brain that something's off.
Kinesiotape may help activate the part of the nervous system that tells
people where their joints are in space, and provides a relief to that sense of
instability. It's very light, easy to apply and remove. It's comes
off less painfully than a band aid. Unlike more rigid taping (or
casting), you're not sacrificing use or range of motion. Plus it comes
in cool colors. And bikers can get tape that matches their bikes.
Medication Research and Verification Typically Cost One Billion Dollars
More research would of
course be wonderful. In order to justify a medication and prove benefit,
it typically costs one billion (yes, billion) dollars to put it through the
research necessary to justify it's use. While it does not require FDA approval
for use, there are not funds for that cost. While medications can be
patented and protected for several years, their is limited ability to patent
tape. There are currently several competing tape products on the market,
and they likely work through a similar mechanism. No company has a
billion dollars burning a whole in their pocket for such a project, especially
since all the other companies would then have to do would be to demonstrate
that their tape was comparable to the one used in all the expensive studies.
While studies are in the works, and will demonstrate benefit or lack thereof,
in the meanwhile many chiropractors, physical therapists and trainers will
continue to use it in a rational fashion.
If you have questions
on the proper use of kinesio tape for a complaint of arms, hands, foot, legs,
back or neck, or any questions about pain in general, please email or give me a
call.
For more information and health tips, visit the Rosa Chiropractic Rockville website and like us on Facebook.
Dr. Charlie Ginsburg has a strong research background, having spent eight years in the field of connective tissue biochemistry. His practice focuses on the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries to the extremities and the spine. He uses physical therapy, rehab and chiropractic techniques, and incorporates ergonomics and therapeutic exercise into patients' treatment. He believes in inter-professional collaboration, and has strong relationships with members of the medical community and diverse alternative practitioners. Dr. Ginsburg has special interests in evidence-based medicine and martial arts injuries. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College, spent six years in the PhD program at Boston University School of Medicine (ABD), and has a Doctorate of Chiropractic from the National College of Chiropractic. He is licensed in Maryland as a Chiropractor with Physical Therapy Privileges.
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