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3 Amazing Benefits Of Kinesiology

Dr. Nathan Teter • February 1, 2023

Kinesiology or Kinesio Tape is an adhesive applied directly to the skin. You've probably seen them on the shoulders, arms, and legs of your favorite athletes. If you’re interested in learning more about their amazing benefits, read on.


1.  Improves Posture and Habitual Movement

Proper alignment in the body is crucial in helping joints recover from activities and decrease pain. So, if you slouch a lot, or have an area in your body that's not properly aligned, the Kinesiology tape can bring it back into alignment without restricting motion, unlike traditional athletic tape. It can help you learn correct movements by guiding the motion smoothly.


The Kinesio tape supplies muscle and joint support that help correct bad posture and promote natural movements to help strengthen muscles that have lost function. It's usually applied on the knees, shoulders, back, ankles, and feet to improve that area’s function.


If applied properly, the tape can retrain muscles that have become accustomed to an improper way of working. The patients can then return to normal and correct function in their everyday life. In a 2017 study, Kinesiology tape has been shown to improve a patient's ability to walk by reducing the pressure that induces pain and fatigue at every step.


2.  Treats Swelling and Bruises

The buildup of fluid (swelling) is called Lymphedema. Patients usually experience this ailment after an injury or surgery. Bruises, on the other hand, occur when veins and capillaries under the skin break. Large bruises can be very painful at times. Kinesio tape can treat both ailments.


For swelling and inflammation, the tape works by creating a passive lift to the skin. This lifting mechanism helps drain the congested fluid as well as any other materials that may collect in the area of the injury. As a result, blood flow improves, and swelling in the injured area is reduced. Applied post-workout, the tape helps remove lactic acids that cause muscle soreness. If cut into strips and applied in a weave pattern on the affected area, Kinesio tape can also treat bruising.


3.  Reduces Pain

It’s not just athletes who are familiar with the effects of a sore body. Painful muscles and joints affect everyone at one point in their lives because of poor posture or lack of activity like sitting at a desk all day.


By changing how the body views pain and compression, Kinesiology tapes can help manage pain regardless of condition, whether it's shoulder pain, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains, tennis elbow, and more. 


Applied with gentle manual pressure on the affected area by a physical therapist, the tape works by making skin lift slightly which relieves pressure from the tissues that have sensory receptors for feeling pain, hot, cold, and other sensations.


This decompression changes how the brain reads these signals. The tape blocks the pain signals of the injured tissues from reaching the brain. The Gate Control Theory of Pain explains it as the tape sending signals to 'close the gate' and not allowing potential pain-causing signals to pass.


After applying manual therapy, an expert physical therapist can use different methods of taping depending on the injured area, such as a special taping method for bruises and swelling.


Conclusion

Many have experienced the benefits of Kinesiology Tapes which is why they are real contenders in the world of muscle and joint relief. If you’re aching and have done everything to treat it to no avail, consider trying something different.


Reach out to a physical therapist in Cumming, trained in the use of Kinesio Tapes, like APEX PT. They will explain how to best use this method to alleviate your pain, and after the assessment, they will show the tape application and ensure that it's applied correctly.


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7 Common Conditions Treated with Dry Needling

By Dr. Nathan Teter • November 13, 2024
Dry needling can be a powerful technique for relieving pain and improving patient movement. It helps with a variety of conditions by targeting muscle pain and discomfort. In this article, we’ll explore how dry needling can benefit you if you suffer from common musculoskeletal issues. We’ll cover specific conditions and show you how this method can provide relief through dry needle therapy. What is Dry Needling? Dry needling involves a physical therapist inserting fine needles into specific points in the muscle. These needles for therapy help to relax tight muscles and release myofascial trigger point knots. This pain management technique can decrease discomfort and improve movement in affected areas. Many people find dry needling effective for treating different types of myalgia (muscle pain and discomfort). Back Pain What Causes Back Pain? Back pain, especially low back pain, can result from various factors. Poor posture, heavy lifting, and muscle strain are common causes. Over time, these issues can lead to chronic pain and limit your range of motion. How Dry Needling Helps Needle therapy for back pain targets tight muscles, connective tissue, and areas of discomfort in the back. By needling muscles, the technique helps to relieve muscle tension and pain. Many individuals experience reduced discomfort and improved mobility after needling for back pain . Neck Pain What Causes Neck Pain? Neck pain can arise from poor posture, repetitive strain, or injury. Spending long hours at a desk or looking down at a phone can contribute to muscle tightness and discomfort in the neck. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling treatment addresses tight muscles in the neck area. The needles help to relax these muscles and reduce discomfort. This physical therapy method can improve your neck's range of motion and decrease overall discomfort. Sciatica What is Sciatica? Sciatica refers to the discomfort radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your legs. It often results from a herniated disc or muscle spasm. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling therapy targets the muscles around the sciatic nerve. It can relieve the tension that presses on the nerve and reduce inflammation along the leg. This treatment can help to ease the discomfort associated with sciatica. Shoulder Pain What Causes Shoulder Pain? Shoulder pain can be caused by overuse, injury, or muscle imbalance. Activities that involve repetitive shoulder movements can lead to discomfort and inflammation. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling can relieve shoulder pain by targeting soft tissue, tight muscles and trigger points. This physical therapy technique helps to relax the muscles and alleviate discomfort. Many people find that it improves their shoulder function and reduces inflammation. Hip Pain What Causes Hip Pain? Hip pain can be due to arthritis, muscle strain, or injuries from athletic training. Activities that put stress on the hip joint can contribute to pain and discomfort. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling addresses tight muscles around the hip joint. By targeting these areas, the technique helps to reduce pain and improve hip movement. It can have high efficacy in managing hip discomfort. Knee Pain What Causes Knee Pain? Knee pain can result from injuries, arthritis, or overuse. Activities that put strain on the knee joint can lead to discomfort and pain. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling targets the muscles, and soft tissue around the knee. The technique helps relieve tension and pain, improving overall knee function. It can be a useful pain management treatment for those experiencing knee discomfort. Elbow Pain What Causes Elbow Pain? Elbow pain can be caused by repetitive movements, overuse, or injuries from sports or athletic training. Common conditions include tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. How Dry Needling Helps Dry needling targets the muscles around the elbow joint. It helps to reduce tension and pain in the area, improving movement and function. This method can have high efficacy in managing elbow discomfort. Conclusion Dry needling by a reliable physical therapist can help with various musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, neck pain, and sciatica. By targeting specific muscles, it provides relief from discomfort and improves range of motion. If you’re dealing with pain from any of these conditions, dry needling in Cumming might be a solution for you. Apex Physical Therapy - Cumming offers this treatment to help you feel better and move more comfortably. Contact us to learn more or discuss any questions you have.
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