What is taping and how can it help the body?

Tape is an elastic bandage similar to a Band-Aid. It was originally used to reduce muscle pain, spasms and swelling. Nowadays, taping is popular among slimmers. Multicolored tapes fit tightly to the body and trigger fat-burning processes. In combination with training, teeping becomes a healthy weight loss and has a long-term result.

How was teeping invented?

Kinesotapeiping was founded by an American doctor of Japanese origin, Kenzo Kase. His first patient was a mom. Kase used athletic tape (a stiff patch) to relieve her pain in the joints of her hand. However, the procedure only made the patient’s condition worse. Kenzo Kase realized that he needed to develop a patch that would not squeeze the injured area, but instead encourage the movement of subcutaneous fluids.

After six years of clinical trials, Kase presented the original kinesiotape at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. At that time, the Japanese women’s volleyball team came out to play with special tapes on their bodies. Kenzo Kase’s method immediately caught the interest of the international community, and his kinesiotapes spread first to the United States, then to Europe and Russia.

Why does it work?

Neurologist and sports doctor Anton Epifanov on his YouTube channel said that in 2019, a huge study about taping was published. Clinical trials proved that such tape works for neck, back and lower back pain, but in the short term, like many drugs. The tape has an effect only when used correctly, kinesiotape will have no effect on a healthy muscle.

The skin consists of many receptors that transmit information to the nervous system about where our body is, what temperature is around, what muscles need to be tensed and so on. Due to injuries, the skin cannot do its job properly, so the nervous system receives distorted data. As a result, it is hard for us to move.

The adhesive layer on the tape is distributed in waves so that the pressure on the skin is uneven. This regulates the flow of nerve impulses and normalizes muscle function.

What are tapes for?

Tapes relieve swelling and relieve pain after injuries. They can also be used to control posture. A quality taping will prevent you from sitting in a comfortable, but incorrect posture for your spine. Another function of the technique is to relieve spasm. You can increase or decrease muscle tone. And during pregnancy, taping replaces unwanted medications.

Athletes are applied kinesotape after ligament tears and surgeries, so that they better pass rehabilitation. However, such a tool does not put the vertebrae in place, does not help with inflammation and does not equalize scoliosis (curvature of the spine).

How to lose weight with taping?

Taping improves metabolic processes and lymph flow (lymph cleanses the body of toxins and promotes fat burning). If you have a loose belly, stretch marks after rapid weight loss or childbirth, then multicolored patches can help you. The skin from such a procedure tightens and acquires a healthy look.

Tapes enhance the effect of anti-cellulite massage due to the additional impact on the skin. It is lifted and a space is formed where fluid can move freely. Excess water escapes and gets rid of stagnation and decay products from the body. In addition, the tapes enhance the compression and stretching effect of the skin when you move. You do the usual things and the tapes work.

What is the proper way to apply taping?

Taping can be asymmetrical or even to the millimeter. Competent application you will be advised by a specialist, so you do not need to be guided by beautiful photos in the network. If you decide to stick the teep on your own, then carefully read the instructions on the package. Here are some universal tips for use.

• Skin preparation. Before applying tape, you need to sanitize the area with alcohol or a special liquid, dry and shave off excess hair.
• Choosing a scheme. Consult with a specialist or study the ways of applying tapes to achieve the result. Tapes can be glued on the hips, arms, legs, even the face, so the choice of technique is worth paying attention to.
• Application of the teepee. Apply the colored patch should be applied in the direction of the muscles and tendons. After removing the paper backing, apply the end of the teep to the skin without tension and gently run your hand along the length of the strip. Make sure there are no creases. With kinesiotape you can walk for 3-5 days, take a shower and swim in the pool. The total weight loss course should not last more than a month.