How can Kinesio tape provide support for tendonitis
I have a mild case of Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, the physio has applied some Kinesio tape for support whilst it heals up.
My understanding of tendons and muscles was that there wasn't much friction between them, if there were, moving would be a very painful experience. So, given that the tendons are lubricated via the inter-muscle membranes, how can applying tape to the skin provide any support at all to the tendons?
Thanks
Dave
NB: I'm not asking for medical advise, I trust my physio. I'm just curious.
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It's not so much support for the tendons. One of the theories behind it is that it helps lift the skin away from the structures underneath it (microscopically) which allows a little more room for swelling, which in turn helps minimize pain.
A second theory is that it acts much like rubbing an area does, which interrupts the pain signal to the brain. It is also theorized that it allows natural movement, while at the same time providing a proprioceptive feedback that helps limit the full range of motion.
Studies so far have shown no real benefit to kinesio tape, but there are people that swear by it.
I was diagnosed w/ posterior tibial tendonopathy by physician at running clinic at major university. He sent me to their PT to learn how to tape the ankle. For 3 mos, I applied tape as directed and did the core strengthening exercises that he prescribed, as well as ran in place learning to acquire a new running technique in which I would strike mid-foot rather than heel first. Now, I might apply the tape as needed, no more than once every couple of months.
The posterior tibial tendon receives much force when the heel strikes while running (or walking, esp with tightly laced shoes). A proper stretch-taping job transfers some of this stress from the tendon to the tape. This promotes healing by sparing the tendon the 2 or 3 reinjuries that it would suffer, untaped, every week. I don't know how KT tape works on other injuries or other parts of the body, but I can assure that this is how it works with posterior tibial tendonopathy. (I'd guess that it works the same way for posterior tibial tendonitis or tendonosis, but I don't have those conditions, so I won't write about something I don't know.)
Before visiting the dr, I suffered through 4 yrs of intermittent pain. After the initial injury, I rested 3-4 wks and returned to running w/o pain for maybe 6 mos. Eventually, the resting had turned into months and the running weeks. There were times I couldn't run 20 ft.
Now, I run 3 miles 3 times a week and hope to (slowly) double the distance over the next few months. A lot of the credit goes to KT Tape.
The simple answer is that it doesn't help with tendonitis. Randonmized controlled trial studies show that there are no benefits with kinesiotaping and tendonitis.
I know you do not ask for medical advice and you said that you trust your physiotherapist, but I want to ask you this question, "Why do you come up here and questioning your physiotherapist, and not asking your physiotherapist about this treatment plan right in front of him/her?"
The truth is that you need to know what causes the "mild posterior tib tendonitis - PTT in the first place?"
This can be from overtraining, bad shoe wear, poor foot alignment, tightness in the Achilles tendon and hamstrings, etc.
With this being said, the best treatment for any tendonitis is eccentric strengthening, proper training regimen to include rest and hydration, deep tissue massage, ice massage for pain management, and of course lots of flexibility.
Ask your physiotherapist again on how did you get this problem in the first place. Then go from there. Remember if the tire is low, and you keep filing it up with air, but never wonder why it was low in the beginning, then you only fixing the symptoms, not the problem. You might have to do this for a very long time if you keep thinking this way.
Hope this helps!
It works for my shoulder (supraspinatus) tendinosis. It keep my shoulder in the right place and give me more strenght, also alivates pain, activate the muscule and give me more movility that improve my condition.
The creator Dr. Kenso Kase assures that tape gently lift the skin and other tissue covering the muscules and that improves circulation.
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