How Does Kinesiology Tape Reduce Swelling?
Inflammation is your body’s response to injury and disease. A vital immune response, it is the first natural attempt at healing, by attacking bacteria or viruses and beginning the long process of righting damaged tissue. In the absence of inflammation, wounds would never be cleaned; infections would grow and fester, and eventually dangerous diseases would take hold.
The immediate symptoms of inflammation are swelling, redness, localized heating, pain, and difficulty breathing. When an injury occurs, for example, a small skin cut, tiny warning proteins called ‘cytokines’ are released into your bloodstream. These in turn trigger an immune response, dilating your arteries to increase blood flow and opening the capillaries in the affected region to permit immune cells, hormones and nutrients to flow within. The swelling and heat we associate with inflammation are the results of this increased liquid flow, as is the pain. Once the immune cells slurry has finished its cleaning, it needs to be removed from the area. This bacteria-infested waste, what we commonly refer to as pus, is then pushed through the lymph system and removed.
One of the best ways you can enhance the healing process is by helping your body remove waste. Kinesiology tape is perfectly suited to the task. Thin and flexible, this hypoallergenic, adhesive-backed tape is engineered to match human skin in elasticity and thickness and is applied to the skin in such a way that it generates minor tension along its length. Lifting the skin ever so slightly, this action creates a tiny suction that fosters improved blood and lymphatic drainage. Once applied over a wound, kinesiology tape can be left in place to work its magic for up to a week, and because the material is water resistant, it can be left on during exercise and bathing.
Traditionally employed by athletes to provide muscle support and alignment, properly applied kinesiology tape works well in the prevention and healing of all sorts of injuries on and off the field. If you’ve been injured and would like to see how Kinesiology tape can work for you, simply click the ‘Book Now’ button to set up an appointment with one of our trained RMTs.
