Sports and physical activity offer significant benefits to both physical and mental health, but they can also strain the body, often resulting in common injuries such as shoulder pain, which frequently goes untreated. Over time, various innovations and treatments have emerged to address shoulder pain injuries, with one standout solution being kinesiology tape.
Originally developed in the 1970s by Kenzo Kase, a Japanese chiropractor, kinesiology sports tape has gained widespread popularity among athletes and sports enthusiasts alike. Whether on the track, field, or in the gym, K-tapes are frequently seen adorning individuals in a variety of colors. This article explores the benefits of kinesiology tape and offers insights into its application for shoulder support.
Why Choose Kinesiology Tape?
Kinesiology tapes have become a staple for athletes and sports enthusiasts due to their myriad advantages. Here are some key benefits:
1. Muscle Support and Posture Correction
Kinesiology sports tape aids in correcting the posture and alignment of injured or fatigued areas, such as the shoulder joint. Moreover, it provides muscular support while preserving mobility around adjacent joints.
2. Pain Reduction
By applying firm yet gentle pressure, kinesiology tapes effectively alleviate pain and fatigue. Additionally, these tapes can stimulate the body’s natural pain-relief mechanisms.
3. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Kinesiology tapes possess anti-inflammatory properties, facilitating the drainage of fluid buildup near the application site, thereby promoting improved fluid circulation and reducing inflammation.
4. Enhanced Athletic Performance
Through supporting fatigued or weakened joints, kinesiology tapes enhance kinesthetic awareness, leading to improved athletic performance.
How To Support Your Shoulder With Kinesiology Tapes
Overuse, the laxity of ligaments, and past injuries can cause your shoulder joint to be unstable. This could cause decreased productivity and increased pain. However, the use of K-tape may help support and stabilize these joints. Thus, they can help manage these conditions if worn properly. Even with minor injuries, K-tape is important to providing stability and support.
It’s important to note that physical therapists are often the ones who administer K-tape therapy. However, you can apply K-tape properly once given the right resources. There exists quite a variety of taping techniques, and the needs they meet seem to be slightly different from each other. Below are some K-tape approaches for general shoulder support and stability.
Approach 1:
The areas of support for this approach are the pointy tip of the shoulder – the Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint – and the inferior tip of the shoulder blade (the scapula).
To apply the tape:
- Mark the AC Joint and the inferior border of the shoulder blade with little strips of tape.
- Cut a long strip of tape and run it from the tip of the shoulder blade to the AC Joint at a tension of 25%. A tension of 25% should feel relatively loose but still taught.
- Pull off the protective covering of the adhesive surface and rub the sticky tape properly on the skin.
- Cut another fairly long strip of tape and run it parallel to the first, starting from below. Ensure it doesn’t cross the spine to the other half of the body. This tape should be at 50% tension, making it feel slightly tighter.
- Anchor the other (upper) end at the acromion, the top of the shoulder blade.
Approach 2:
Most of this taping is around the deltoid region, which is the top of the shoulder. The first point of interest is the insertion point of the deltoid.
- Mark the insertion point of the deltoid on the lower arm. Attach the lower part of a pre-cut Y-strip, which is a piece of tape in the shape of a “Y.”
- Pull the “tails” of the tape up and around the apparent contours of the deltoid at 25-50% tension.
- Anchor them to the skin at the furthest reaches of the “tails” without tension. Rub the tape to activate the adhesive.
Approach 3:
- Attach the lower part of a precut Y- y-strip or ‘customized’ strip adjacent to the base of the neck over the trapezius muscle,the muscle that starts at the base of your neck, goes across your shoulders and extends to the middle of your back.
- Pull the “tails” down at 25-50% tension over to where the deltoid muscle inserts. Insert the anchors without tension.
- Pull out another strip of tape, and anchor it at the side of the neck, at the upper part of the trapezius muscle.
- Pull down by the medial border of the shoulder blade (scapula) at 25-50% tension. Ensure the anchor of the second tape starts on the skin and not on the first tape.
For maximum effect, you should clean off every lotion or oil on your body before applying K-tapes. Complementary treatments include rest and applying ice packs.
Our tape adhesives are also latex-free and hypoallergenic. This means that you do not need to worry about unwarranted skin reactions and irritation when using them. Also, they do not leave a sticky or smelly residue when they come off. If you have been diagnosed with sensitive skin, you might have to make sure you have the go-ahead from your physician before you go ahead with a purchase.
Our kinesiology tapes are also quite versatile. They come in handy for shoulder support, mitigating the pain of sore backs, and supporting other parts of the body. They are even useful for the management of plantar fasciitis. Whatever use you seek to put our tapes to, you will find.
The cherry on top is our array of colors. If you are picky about aesthetic appeal and want tapes with a splash of different bright colors, we have you covered! Our tapes come in a variety of colors ranging from purple to blue, beige, orange, pink, yellow, and more. From this wide array, you will surely find a color that appeals to you.
With these features, we are confident our tapes will meet your needs just right – as they have done for diverse demographics of athletes. However, if for some reason they do not, we guarantee a refund within a 60-day window.