chiropractor applying kinesio tape (KT Tape) to bottom of patient's foot

Kinesio Tape (Rocktape) Therapy in Wichita, KS

Kinesio Tape, also referred to as KT Tape, K Tape or RockTape, is the application of certain tapes to improve stability, increase blood flow, and improve proprioceptive (sensory) feedback.

KT Tape has quickly revolutionized in-between visit care for all, from everyday individuals to elite performance athletes. Depending on the problem at hand, KT Tape can be applied in various ways for desired effects.

What Is the Purpose of KT Tape?

The goal with KT Tape is to help individuals temporarily move in a way without pain. Taping can help achieve this by stimulating sensorimotor (sensory to motor) units to help re-communicate injured tissue(s) (nerves, fascia, muscles, joints, etc.) to the brain. This in-turn helps an individual move without pain and/or in a pattern that will less likely lead to compensation and subsequent pain.

How Does KT Tape (RockTape) Work?

The best scientific literature to date on the effectiveness of taping outcomes is based on neurology. Pain is always a sensation and expression of the brain. There are countless amounts of sensory fibers traveling to the brain. Sensory fibers travel at different speeds to the brain depending on the stimulus.

Stimulated sensory fibers from the skin, by KT Tape, travel faster to the brain than certain pain fibers. As a result, the brain interprets the stimulated skin fibers first. The brain is tricked into focusing on the stimulated skin instead of the damaged tissue. This process is how KT Tape or RockTape is highly effective at helping eliminate pain.

How Does Tape Help Pain Go Away?

At the end of the day, the fastest horse wins the race. Pain signals from muscles travel between 5 to 15 m/s or 11 to 33mph. At any given time, the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can only handle processing so much sensory information. The nerves that are communicating to the brain at a faster speed are the nerves that win the race. The sensory fibers from the tape travel at a faster speed than the pain fibers.

Different Styles of Taping

Outside of the main tape producing companies, there are many different “styles” of taping. Each style has its own purpose or validation.

Specific Proprioceptive Response Taping (SPRT)

Specific Proprioceptive Response Taping (SPRT) is unique within the taping world. SPRT does not use Kinesiotape to help the injured tissue. However, Kinesiotape is sometimes used as a buffer between clothing and the more important taping aspect of SPRT. SPRT considers the location, intensity of pain, and direction of pull/support of a “tab” to help facilitate healing.

SPRT taping is often referred to as Tab Taping. It is relatively self-explanatory. Instead of using Kinesiotape to pull on the tissue, a stiffer tape, Leukotape, is used to pull the tissue more aggressively via the creation of a “tab.” This tap helps to pull the tissue to a further degree away from the inflamed area. It also helps to create a more prominent high low-pressure gradient underneath the tab.

What Does a High Low-pressure Gradient with Taping Do?

This is a key feature of SPRT taping. By creating a high low-pressure gradient, the inflammation can travel out of the problematic area faster.

Why Would I Use SPRT?

The uniqueness of SPRT lies within the degree a practitioner can mechanically pull on the tab. This capability can offer significantly more support, if necessary, to stabilize a joint and/or the surrounding soft tissue structures. The level of support SPRT can offer compared to other taping styles can give it a significant advantage with helping to facilitate the healing process.

Common Symptoms Relieved Through Chiropractic Kinesio (RockTape)

Our chiropractor’s approach in using Kinesio (RockTape) is to assist an injured or problematic area in the recovery process by improving stability, blood flow, and proprioceptive input. Below are some common ailments and diagnoses our expert chiropractors find KT Tape (RockTape) can address.

Tennis elbow
Sciatic nerve pain
Carpal tunnel
Shoulder pain
Shin splints
Plantar fasciitis
Knee pain
Achilles tendonitis
Back pain
Muscle pain/support
Tendon pain/support
Ligament pain/support
Joint pain/support
Tingling/numbness/weakness
Nerve entrapments (pinched nerve)

Additional Benefits of Kinesio Tape (RockTape)

ICT Muscle and Joint Clinic’s chiropractic doctors may also integrate KT Tape to improve movement patterns, reduce swelling, and improve blood flow. RockTape and Kinesio Tape are meant to be utilized for short-term results. Once inflammation and pain-free movement patterns are established, our expert chiropractors recommend care plans that should transform into rehabilitative exercises for long-term results.

Why You Should Choose Our Chiropractors in Wichita, KS, for KT Tape (RockTape)

Our experienced chiropractors in Wichita, KS, can help you by providing professional insight toward your current symptoms and how KT Tape can benefit you. Whether you are facing back pain or would like better support for your joints, our chiropractic doctors can help. Each of our chiropractic doctors are highly educated and eager to help you treat your current symptoms through the use of RockTape.

Content written by Dr. Keith Sparks, DC | Functional Taping for Musculoskeletal Injuries Certified
Content reviewed by Dr. Sam Reals, DC | Functional Taping for Musculoskeletal Injuries Certified

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If you are in the Wichita, KS, area and are having frustrations, complications, or stagnant results with care, then contact us for in-person help with our unique healthcare approaches. If you are not within the greater Wichita, KS metro, we have created amazing Telehealth and Video Programs to provide you the same high-quality care. Contact our professional chiropractic staff at our East Wichita clinic or West Wichita clinic about possible treatments for your muscle, joint, nutrition, and health-related concerns today.

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