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.
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.
