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Rehabilitation

Kinesio taping in neurology as a useful therapy supplement

Saskia Wibner ● 21. March 2023 ● 5 minutes

Person holds orange unwound tape between hands, the roll in one hand and the end of the tape in the other hand

The Kinesio tape and its usefulness in neurological therapy

What was originally known only from the world of professional athletes has now made its way into everyday training and sports and has found a permanent place there. Colorful “plasters” – the so-called tapes – can be applied to all possible places on the body. But what exactly is that all about? How does taping actually work and in what ways can it contribute to neurological therapy? You’ll learn all about it in this blog post.

What exactly is a K-tape?

This “colorful plaster” is an elastic cotton band with a specially applied acrylic coating that is stuck to the skin. It is called K-tape, kinesiology tape or kinesio tape. In the remainder of the following article, it will be called K-tape. It is stretchable in the longitudinal direction and has similar elasticity to the self-stretch of human muscle. It is also permeable to air and water, which makes it well tolerated. K-tapes are mostly used in four different colors, all of which have the same properties.

Classic taping vs. Kinesio tape

The elastic material is what distinguishes K-taping from classic taping. In classic taping, an inelastic material is used because in this case joints are to be stabilized or immobilized. This is intended to restrict freedom of movement. At the beginning of the development of K-tape, the focus was on influencing the muscular system via proprioception – the self-perception of the body in space. However, it was important that the freedom of movement was not restricted. Hence the name Kinesio tape, which is derived from the Greek word kinesis for movement. The application of K-tape to the skin affects the skin receptors in exactly that area. This in turn affects proprioception, muscles, the ligaments, and thus ultimately body functions. From the initial muscle applications, a wide treatment spectrum of K-taping has developed.

How does the K-tape work?

There are a great many receptors in our skin layers that detect pressure, touch, traction, cold or heat and transmit these stimuli to the brain. The skin layers also contain blood and lymph vessels as well as nerves embedded in the connective tissue. By applying K-tape to different areas of the body, specific problems can be targeted.

There are 4 different application techniques:

Muscle applications: This type finds its application in cases of injuries of the muscles, high or low resting tension of the musculature (hyper-/hypotonus) or impaired muscle activation.
Ligament applications: This technique supports the ligament structures and is therefore used for injuries and overloads of ligaments and tendons.
Correction application: Here we distinguish between functional correction systems and fascia correction systems. A functional application causes a shift in the position of a bone that is in a malposition and helps to correct it. Fascia correction applications assist in loosening fascia and can provide relief from pain.
Lymphatic applications: This type is used to help lift the skin and thus promote the drainage of lymphatic fluid.

The application of a K-tape always influences all of the above-mentioned areas at the same time. The shifting of the skin during movement acts on the mechanoreceptors in the skin, thus achieving pain attenuation.

When should K-tape not be used?

Tapes should not be used on open wounds, scars that have not yet healed, thin parchment-like skin, or in cases of known allergies to acrylic. Caution is also advised with reactions to silicone. If blood thinning medications are taken, small hemorrhages may occur in the skin due to the lifting effect of the taping system. Some people also experience itching or wheals. If the tape is not suitable, it can be removed independently at any time. It is much easier to remove if you apply a little oil – such as olive oil or coconut oil – to the tape.

How can K-tapes be used in neurorehabilitation?

There is now some research showing that K-tape applications can lead to significant improvements in a wide variety of neurological problems. The use of K-tapes improves the function of the upper and lower extremities in cases of paralysis or weakness, for example after a stroke. Pain that can occur due to subluxation or partial dislocation of the shoulder joint – i.e. an enlargement of the joint space due to a lack of muscle tension when the arm is paralyzed – could thus be significantly reduced. The subluxation itself could also be reduced by applying K-tape. With regard to balance function and walking, a positive effect was also achieved through the additional use of K-tapes. Swelling of the hand after a stroke can also be positively influenced by lymphatic tape application.

Examples of K-taping in neurorehabilitation

Pain reduction in subluxed shoulder joint & reduction of subluxation

A stroke can leave one side of the body paralyzed. Reduced muscle tension and the force of gravity acting on the paralyzed arm in an upright body position often lead to subluxation. This can cause pain due to traction on the ligamentous structures and tendons as well as the joint capsule.

Attaching a K-tape can …

…increase the tone – i.e. the tension – in the muscles.

…promote the use of the paralyzed side by the constant activation of the skin receptors. When the paralyzed arm can be felt better, injuries can be prevented.

…improve the lymphatic drainage and blood circulation.

…reduce the pain by stimulating the mechanoreceptors in the skin.

Man with K-tape on shoulder, a person in a white doctor's coat fastens the tape by pressing it lightly

In the case of subluxation of the shoulder joint, the application of a K-tape can reduce the subluxation itself and the pain (sample image).

Activation of the foot lifting muscles

Often after a stroke, there is an imbalance of muscle tension in the leg. This predominantly manifests as a weakness of those muscles that are responsible for lifting the foot, or dorsiflexors. If there is weakness in the dorsiflexors, the lack of muscle strength means that the forefoot can barely be lifted, if at all, when walking. As a result, there is a risk of the foot getting caught on uneven ground, which greatly increases the risk of tripping and falling. An activating K-tape application on the foot-lifting muscles can have a supporting effect here.

Right foot with blue K-tape, two hands of another person clasp the foot and hold it

Often after a stroke, a weakness in lifting the foot remains, which can be treated supportively with K-tapes (sample image).

Hand edema – reduction by means of lymphatic tape

If the back of the hand is swollen, this is called hand edema – another very common symptom after a stroke. First, lymphatic drainage is impaired, which is often related to the absence of muscle activity in the hand, and therefore hand movement is limited. Second, affected persons do not feel their hand well, so the hand may not be positioned properly or may be pinched without the person noticing. All this can further increase the swelling and intensify the pain.

Through the application of a lymphatic K-tape, the…

…lymphatic drainage is improved.

…use of the hand is promoted.

…hand is better seen, perceived, and noticed because of the bright colors.

…worsening of symptoms is counteracted.

The use of a K-tape can be a useful therapy supplement for various neurological disorders. The main advantage is that the effect of the K-tape supports the therapy and continues after the therapy as long as it remains on the skin. In this regard, ask your therapist if the application of a K-tape is useful for your impairments.