Kinesiology and Elastic
Therapeutic taping (ETT)
in Paediatrics
Claire McInally
October 2015
Background to K-tape
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Invented in Japan 1979 by
Dr Kenzo Kase and Nitto
Denko
First major international
exposure in 1988 – Soel
Olympics
Introduced to Europe 1998
Introduced to VHK 2008
Esther de Ru course 2014
What it is?
Kinesiology…
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“The Study of the
Mechanics of
Body
Movements”
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Aim is to use the bodies
natural healing
processes
Main points are the
skin, fascia and
muscles
Testing by the principle
of kinesiology (hence
the name)
Material
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Thin porous fabric
Elasticity, comparable
to the skin and
muscles.
Water repellent
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Can use for no. of days
(most reaction 3-5 days
if chronic problem 7
days)
Hypoallergenic
Differences in taping methods
Mechanical Taping
Sensory Taping
Functional immobilisation
Full range of motion
Protects joints and
muscles
To support the muscle
activity and natural healing
processes of the body
No reduction to circulation
Can reduce circulation
Original Theoretical models
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Skin (convolutions)
causing friction
between layersincreased circulation
Skin lifting: making
space between dermis
and epidermis
(decompression)
Proprioceptive
awareness
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Origin-insertion
direction results in
either facilitation or
inhibition of underlying
muscles
New theoretical models
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Fascia model-whole body patternswww.anatomytrains.com
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Tensegrity model-type of structure based on
balance between tension and compression
components.
Indications
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Muscle tendon disorders
Orthopaedic disorders
Neurological disorders
Blood flow problems
Breathing problems
Lymph and circulation disorders
Pain
Sports injuries
Nerve entrapment
Contra-indications
Skin problems
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l  Severe trauma
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l  No result after 2/3 applications
l  Individuals with systemic illness/Infection
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Careful with Children
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Skin thinner than adults
Neck
Auxilla
Parts of stomach
Groin
Great care taken with babies 0-6 months
Epilepsy
Consider what organs underneath
CRPS etc.
K-taping Applications
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Lymphatic technique
Scar technique
Muscle technique – 0% stretch on tape
Ligament/tendon technique – 25%-100% stretch
Mechanical/Correctional technique – Base fixed –
tails 25-100% stretch
Assist
cross/Trigger point technique
Kinesiotape in Physiotherapy
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Decrease Pain
Reduce Inflammation
Provide mechanical support
Facilitates lymphatic drainage
Inhibit Muscle (detonisation – insertion to origin)
Facilitate Muscle (tonisation - origin to insertion)
Mental benefits
General tips
Skin clean dry
l  Base and Tails
l  Always round corners
l  Rub tape after you have applied
l  Remove immediately if any reactions
l  Tape must be smooth no “pleats”
l  No evidence re. colour but differences noted
l  Apply 20 -30 mins prior to sport
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Magic Word!!
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l  Think
what is your goal!!
Common Tapings Utilised
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Lumbar – Mechanical low back pain
Shoulder –instability and ACJ pain
Knee – AKP, quads weakness/strain, MCL/LCL
strains,OSD
Ankle – Achilles tendonopathy, Sever’s
Back pain
SIJ pain
Shoulder instability
AKP
Sever’s/OSD/SIJ
Calf problems
Transverse arch taping
Improves balance
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l  In toeing
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Transverse arch
Babies!!
Need monitored
l  Not keen on neck due to artery
l  No preterm babies
l  Skin colour tape only
l  Small thin strips only
l  Must know the child
l  Talipes-transverse arch or lateral strip
l  In conjunction with Ponsetti
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Other ideas
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S-tape just under chin for excessive drooling
Scars-perpendicular small bits down line of scar
(vary technique depending on how old scar is)
Tape vs. splint/lycra- tape can be used as a test
Trunk e.g. low tone/hypermobile
Correction tape e.g. Posture/intoeing
Assited e.g. Improve heel strike/wrist extension
Lymph technique
Scars
Correction tape
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CP patients
Remember recoil
Shoulder instability
Hip IR
Scapula
Elbow hypermobility
Used for short period only e.g. treatment session
then muscle technique
Trunk
Diaphragm e.g. hyper mobile, low trunk tone
l  Rectus abdominis/erector spinae
l  Obliques
l  Transverse abdominal combi-tape
l  Diastasis recti
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Assist technique
40 percent stretch
l  Remember recoil
l  Dorisflexion
l  Wrist extension
l  Knee hyper-extension
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Lymph/haematoma
Stimulating the skin
l  Acute injury-ankle sprain
l  haematomas
l  Lymph tape after surgery-elbow
l  Careful of groin area
l  Decreases pain and healing
l  Research
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Just Try!
l  Do not fret about systems/organs etc
l  If it doesn’t work try again!
l  Case studies
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Research
Most research done on healthy adults
l  Requires research in Paediatrics
l  Same brand same colour of tape used
l  Mainly systematic reviews out there
l  Hard due to outcome measures, reliability etc
l  People finding taping working but not
reporting it
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Research
Journey of Physiotherapy Vol 60 Issue 1Current Evidence does not support the use of
kinesio-taping in clinical practice: a systemic
review
l  Esther wrote letter of complaint (September
issue)
l  Results not correct
l  French copy has different conclusion
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Continued…
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Increases proprioception:
Akio Mori, Masaki: Activation of cerebral Cortex
(2005)
Yuh-Hwan Liu et al: Ultrasonic imaging UE (2007)
Tibaud et al Skin Stimulation and muscle fatigue
(2011)
Callaghan MJ (2012) knee tape and MRI
Gait and posture(33) 2011
Evidence “rock tape” optimises athletes
performance
Research/Case Studies and
Clinical Reasoning
Increased Research
l  http://www.kinesiotaping.co.uk
l  Limitations/Bias
l  Clinical Reasoning
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Thank you
l  Any questions….
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