10.04.10

Kinesio Taping

Posted in Uncategorized at 10:52 pm by Administrator

Did you know that in 12 hours kinesio tape can drastically reduce bruising?  As some of you already know, I recently attended a training seminar on the Kinesio Taping Method.  I want to share with you some of the valuable information and techniques I learned.  First lets cover just a little history and brief introduction to kinesio taping.

After extensive research, the Kinesio Taping Method was developed by Kenzo Kase DC in 1979.  Dr Kase was looking for a method of prevention and injury treatment that continued long after the client left the office.  Kinesio tape is an elastic therapeutic tape that mimics human skin.  Therefore it does not bind or restrict movement.  It is latex free and is meant to be worn for 3-5 days at a time.  In addition, it can withstand swimming, showering and fierce competition.  Kinesio tape is being used by top athletes in the Olympic games, Tour de France, Kentucky Derby, Pro Soccer, Football and Tennis etc. to enhance performance and protect from muscle injury and fatigue. 

Depending on how the tape is applied it can affect skin, circulation, lymphatics, fascia, muscles and joints.  It can be used post operative and in the acute, chronic or rehabilitative phase of therapy.  Basically it treats the body from the outside in for not only injury but also prevention.      

After an assessment by the KT practitioner, the tape is applied according to its principles.  KT can (1) Create space to increase movement, blood flow and circulation of lymph (2) Reduce swelling and alleviate pain  (3) Provide tactile cue for posture and proper use of the body (4) Increase range of motion and normalize muscle length and tension (5) Assist in tissue recovery and reduce fatigue (6) Improve joint biomechanics (7) Facilitate tendon and ligament function (8) Re-educate muscles and (9) Re-align fascia and fascial meridians.  For instance, KT can improve muscle contraction in a weak or atrophied muscle or it can stimulate relaxation in over contracted muscles.  It all depends on how the tape is applied.

The list of structures helped by KT is enormous.  Basically, you name a body part, muscle, tendon, ligament or joint and KT can help it.  And, although new to the horse arena, KT is becoming quite popular and proven effective on horses too.   Check it out by visiting www.kinesiotaping.com.

Want to try it out?  Give me a call. 

We have so many really great alternative modalities to choose from.  So much research supporting nutrition, body biomechanics, energy work, holistic medicine, even changing DNA via your brain and beliefs.  Its an amazing time to live.  Did you realize that in 3 days our body replaces all the cells in the intestines?  Or that in 7 years our body slowly replaces our skeleton?  WOW!  So how do you want to influence your body over the next 3 days to 7 years?

Even I am reminded of the need for regular body balancing treatments!

Posted in Uncategorized at 7:03 pm by Administrator

I probably annoy clients with my incessant preaching on frequency of treatment.  Whether due to lack of finances or lack of understanding, I find that horses and riders as major athletes are not tending to their bodies enough.  Complementary and alternative therapies are not meant to be a once in a while kind of treatment.  It is almost impossible for a body to remain in balance on its own.  Especially when subjected to stress, wear and tear and the hectic life of today’s culture.  Lack of body balance can cause a whole host of issues from muscle and connective tissue injuries to insomnia, headaches, digestive upset, organ dysfunction, emotional upset… the list is endless.

There are many ways to bring the body back into balance including massage, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture, asian body work, yoga, pilates, qi gong, tai chi, alexander technique, feldenkrais, nutritional therapy and herbal therapy to name just a few.

And yes, I even need to remind myself not to neglect my body or my horses’ body because I run out of time, have too much going on or just plain too tired.   Luckily, my horses are always my best teachers and yet again they have  taught me a valuable lesson.   Most of you know how valuable acupuncture and craniosacral therapy has been to my black horse (Indy) that deals with chronic pain issues.  Even me, who sees the results on a regular basis, still tends to forget that energetic work is my best line of defense when things go wrong.  But my chestnut (Dancer) has been quick to remind me.  In the past, he has received regular treatments because (1) I know how important they are for prevention (2) I see his performance blossom when he gets them and (3) well just because I can! :)   Most recently, Dancer started acting sore behind from starting more collected work.  Being the beginnings of an issue, he is not lame (so a vet probably wouldn’t be helpful) but I wanted to act quickly to prevent a major injury.  So, I rested him… no help.  Tried medication… no help.  Finally I went back to his regularly scheduled treatments and viola… Dancer is back to his ole self.

OK off of my soapbox.  The message… get regular treatments for you and your horse.  Your body & your horse’s will thank you.  Believe me when I say that some prevention now will be well worth the savings in the long run.  I have seen it time and time again with clients both human and horse.