Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Kinesiology taping on human athletes is all the rage: widely used by physical therapists, chiropractors, and personal trainers, we see it on Olympians, runners, basketball playerson amateurs and professionals. The idea behind taping is that it provides incredible support and stabilization of ligaments and tendons while simultaneously stretching and flexing like a "second skin" to allow full range of motion. It can also activate or relax muscles, depending on its application. Our equine athletes can benefit hugely from taping techniques, and this terrific guidebook provides the ultimate reference for understanding both the uses of kinesiology tape and its numerous applications. With hundreds of color photographs and step-by-step instructions for the do-it-yourselfer, equine physiotherapist Katja Bredlau-Morich explains the following forms of kinesiology taping: muscle, lymphatic, scar, fascia, decompression, hematoma, stabilization, tendon, and cross. In addition, numerous case studies demonstrate how taping can change your horse's life, keeping him pain-free and performing his best for years to come.
Synopsis
Where Does Kinesiology Taping Come From?
Kinesiology Taping was developed by the Japanese chiropractor Dr. Kenzo Kase for use on the human body to support his chiropractic treatments. The exact date of development varies, somewhere between 1969 and 1979 depending on different sources. It obviously took some time from Kase's first conception, through the prototype, to the final production.
At the end of the 1980s, the first Japanese and Chinese athletes were seen wearing these colorful tapes at athletic competitions. During the 2008 Olympic Games, the use of kinesiology tape grew and athletes from other nations were seen using it as well. Four years later at the 2012 London Olympic Games, kinesiology taping was almost a common standard for the athletes.
As mentioned before, Dr. Kase is a chiropractor and he was looking for a modality that would support and improve his chiropractic treatments. The manual adjustments of joints are often not as long lasting and effective as desired if the surrounding soft tissue isn't treated and supported as well.
Before kinesiology tape was invented, the taping material was thick, sturdy, rigid and without elasticity. That kind of tape was very helpful to support and stabilize a weak joint, but because it wasn't flexible it didn't allow much range of motion. Most of the times it even restricted the natural motion of the joints.
Today we know that stability is good for the healing process of a broken bone, but it is not good for soft tissue problems. A light, moderate, and controlled movement is better for the healing process of tendons, ligaments and muscles, which is exactly what the flexible and stretchable kinesiology tape does.