Call & Book Now

Kinesio Taping Shoulder Instability

Kinesio Taping Shoulder Instability

What is Kinesio Taping?
Kinesio Taping is a therapeutic taping technique which is prominently used in sport and physical therapy. Kinesiology is a part of medicine that not only attributes movement to muscles, but also control of circulation of lymph and blood, body temperatures etc. It attempts to treat muscles in such a way as to activate the body’s own natural healing process.

The Kinesio Taping method gives support and stability to the joints and muscles while allowing free movement and circulation. It is used to prevent injuries during strenuous activities, support muscles, relax overused muscles, treat pain, inflammation and edema.

Shoulder Instability
Shoulder instabilities can develop after acute dislocation or long term overuse activities that stretch the shoulder capsule. While most instabilities result in an injury in the anterior and adjoining regions, the joint and its movement might be affected. This might cause the area to become inflamed. The muscles may be compressed against the shoulder blade or arch leading to a development of edema, and over time, partial or full thickness injury.

How does Kinesio Taping help?
Kinesio Taping helps to stabilize the joint and supports the shoulder muscles to move freely, thus reducing edema and pain. It improves shoulder security, power and stability in conditions of shoulder fracture, frozen shoulder, muscle pains or strains, pinched nerves, overuse injuries, rotator cuff injuries, shoulder arthritis, shoulder dislocation and other injuries by
·         Decreasing shoulder pain and enhancing support for the shoulder while still allowing free movement
·         Restoring normal activation of should muscles
·         Improving shoulder muscle performance
·         Helping to prevent further injury to the shoulder
·         Improve feedback and timing of muscle stability, especially for the rotator cuff
·         Providing additional protection during the healing phase

Kinesio tapes use a high grade cotton material with hypoallergenic adhesive. It is water resistant and permeable, and can be worn for five days. The practitioner may choose to branch the tape or apply more than one tape to the muscles separately, depending on the condition. Practitioners are trained in the mechanical correction techniques of taping according to the extent of your injuries or problems. However, the Kinesio taping will not prevent movement of the tissue, that is, it cannot prevent the humeral head from dislocating.

During the first 24-72 hours post injury, the aim is to reduce inflammation. Application of the tape may vary depending on the muscle that needs to be primarily treated. The tape is attached to the base of the muscle and subjected to slight tension as it is taped to the opposite end of the flexion, generally near the clavicle or spinal process region. The patient might be asked to flex, extend or rotate their neck or arms to allow for flexibility in movement while taping.

The second part of treatment involves corrective taping to reduce edema using lymphatic correction strips. The end effect might be a crisscross pattern over the swollen area. In addition, the practitioner might also choose to provide a support for the deltoid muscle.