Kinesio taping physical therapy

Kinesio Taping uses special tape to decrease pain and inflammation, stimulate blood and lymph circulation, aid postural correction, enhance athletic performance, and prevent musculoskeletal injuries. In October, the entire 21st Medical Group Physical Therapy clinic team traveled to Phoenix to become the first-ever fully certified Air Force team in Kinesio Taping. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard)

Kinesio taping physical therapy

Capt. Elizabeth Liebner, 21st Medical Group, applies Kinesio Tape to a patient’s leg Dec. 14 at the physical therapy clinic. The tape is applied to muscles and promotes natural healing through stimulation of the circulatory and neurological systems. In October, the entire 21st Medical Group Physical Therapy clinic team traveled to Phoenix to become the first-ever fully certified Air Force team in Kinesio Taping. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard)

Kinesio taping physical therapy

Staff Sgt. Michael White, a physical therapy technician at the clinic, applies Kinesio Tape to a patient’s back. Taping is used as a recovery-speeding agent for post-operative patients and acute sports injuries, including shoulder tendonitis, quadriceps and hamstring strains, and anterior knee pain. In October, the entire 21st Medical Group Physical Therapy clinic team traveled to Phoenix to become the first-ever fully certified Air Force team in Kinesio Taping. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rob Bussard)

Physical therapy clinic gets kinesio taping certified

Published Dec. 16, 2011
By Lt. Col. Lori Lee
21st Medical Operations Squadron commander

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In October, the entire 21st Medical Group Physical Therapy clinic team traveled to Phoenix to become the first-ever fully certified Air Force team in Kinesio Taping.

Kinesio taping is an exciting new procedure intended to decrease pain and inflammation, stimulate blood and lymph circulation, aid postural correction, enhance athletic performance, and prevent musculoskeletal injuries. The team earned the certification through an intensive two-day, 16-hour course, with mostly hands-on instruction and laboratory practice.

The Kinesio Taping method, founded by Dr. Kenso Kaze in the mid-1970s, has become a prevalent treatment choice of therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers and doctors alike. The method stems from the science of Kinesiology, hence the name. Applied to superficial muscles, Kinesio Taping promotes natural healing through stimulation of the circulatory and neurological systems. This occurs secondary to the innovative tape's microscopic "lifting" of the skin from the muscle. Its unique non-restrictive design provides joint stability and structure while allowing full range of motion.

Used at all levels of athletic endeavors, spanning from the Olympics and professional sports to children, it is now offered as an additional treatment option at the 21st MDG. Currently, a full evaluation by a licensed and credentialed physical therapist is required in order to be considered for Kinesio Taping. It is primarily being used as a recovery-speeding agent for post-operative patients and acute sports injuries, such as shoulder tendonitis, quadriceps and hamstring strains, and anterior knee pain. It has also been shown to be helpful treating certain cases of chronic musculoskeletal pain, such as postural neck and back issues.

For information on Kinesio Taping, call the physical therapy clinic at 556-1075.