this increased pressure tethers the anchoring filaments, pushing closed the

intercellular junction doors. The concept support the efficacy of massage, external
compression, and active motion in the reduction of edema. Gentle rhytmic
movemeof the superficial skin during massage create a lengthening and
shortening of the connective tissue, alternating the pressure on the connecting
filaments and resulting in an opening and closing of intercellular junction, thus
improving fluid and lymphatic motility. The external pressure of compressive
garments support the skin and decreases the tethering of the connecting filaments.
Compression of superficial soft tissue, combined with active muscle contraction
and relaxation, varies internal pressure, thereby preventing backflow and
enhancing lymph drainage. This edema concept also support the anecdotal
evidence and efficacy of kinesio taping. Hypothetically, the recoil of the elastic
tape applied to stretched skin lifts the connective tissue filaments, opening the
intercellular junctions to improve lymphatic motility and decrease pressure on the
nociceptors diminishing pain (see fig. 119-7 online). Expansion and contractile
properties of the tape during active movement function like a compression
garment combined with a superficial massage to further assist in edema reduction
and tissue healing (fig. 119-8).
Vascular Flow
Kase completed a Doppler study in 1998 with a small group of normal subjects.
This study demonstrated the efficacy of kinesio taping in improving blood flow by
decreasing spasm in an overlying muscle.
Theoritically, kinesio taping may improve lymphatic and vascular motility by
lifting the skin and decreasing muscle spasm. When properly applied to stretched
skin, the elastic recoil of the tape may accomplish the following:
 Facilitates lymphatic drainage directly under the skin;
 Reduces excess heat and chemical substances in tissue by improving
lymphatic and blood flow;
 Reduces inflammation by enhancing lymphatic function.
Muscle Function
The same neurologic afferent pathways that communicate pain also provide
sensory input for motor control. In the past decade, many strides have been made
in improving our understanding of muscle spindel mechanisms and reflexive
movement. Research continues on the relationship of the CNS, golgi tendon
organ (GTO), and somatosensory information in motor control. Complex
voluntary movement incorporates sensory information from muscle, tendon, joint,
and the skin overlying muscle to regulate motor output. In addition to pain
reduction, skin stimulation has been used to facilitate muscle contraction. Rood
introduced fast brushing, light moving touch, and icing to the fascia overlying a
muscle to facilitate muscle contraction Evaluation of muscle status is of major
importance before application of kinesio taping. Determining the needs of the
muscle tissue (i.e., stimulation or inhibition) and the mechanisms behind the
pathology will dictate the orientation of tape application.
Kinesio Taping to Support Muscle Function
To assist a weakened muscle and provide facilitation, the tape is anchored at the
fixed or functional origins and ends at the insertion or moveable aspect. It is
important to note that some anatomic muscle origins (e.g., upper trapezius) serve
as insertions for certain movements. The tape is applied to support the contractile
direction of the muscle. Typically, a Y cut is used to surround the muscle along
the fascial margins, increasing the percentage of fascia and muscle support. The
recoil effect provides varied sensory stimulation to fascia and skin receptors
during movement. In conjunction with joint compression-facilitation and support
of the surrounding fascia, the elastik recoil of kinesio tape applied properly to
stretched skin may accomplish the following:
 Enhances contraction of a weakened muscle by input through the
somatosensory system;
 Reduces muscle fatigue by enhancing contraction;
 Increase active ROM by assisting muscle function (fig. 119-9).