b'AAEP FORUM BONNY HENDERSON, DVMTheHorse.com/AAEP-ForumElastic Veterinary Kinesiology TapingE lastic therapeutic taping methodsCirculatory/lymphatic correction Used were originally designed to facilitateto enhance fluid, exudate, and blood flow the human bodys natural healingbetween tissue layers.process by providing prolonged soft tissueFascia correction Used to reduce ten-manipulation. This mimics the effects ofsion or adhesions between and within the massage while aiming to provide supportfascial layers that are limiting motion. and stability to muscles and joints withoutFunctional correction Used to increase restricting range of motion. tension at the skin or joint capsule to Kenzo Kase, DC, developed the Ki- assist or restrict a motion and thereby COURTESY DR. BONNY HENDERSONnesio tape method in 1973 to provide achange the brains perception of the joints nonpharmaceutical way to alleviate hisposition and how they should move. patients pain between appointments.Ligament/tendon correction Used to He created elastic therapeutic tape withsupport injured tissues without limiting a thickness, stretch, and weight similarmotion and to facilitate proper realign-to the superficial skin layer. The adhe- ment of strained or torn fibers during sive pattern is in a repeated wave form,Kinesiology taping might help resolve edemahealing without overuse and reinjury. similar to a fingerprint, and designed(fluid swelling) associated with lymphangitis. Mechanical correction Used to provide to help lift the skin while allowing it tofunctional support to muscles, fascial breathe, permitting moisture to escapemethods. Another recent study found thetissue, or joints without limiting range of and the skin to cool. The tapes elasticmodality had no effect on the muscles ofmotion or inhibiting c irculation. quality stretches the tissue, producinghorses upper forelegs or ventral neck. Scar tissue correction Used to reorga-either a massage or a lifting effect on theResearchers studying elastic therapeu- nize and minimize scars and scar tissue.subdermal (beneath the skin) and fascialtic taping in humans (e.g., Chao YW etSpace correction Used to reduce pres-(connective tissue) layers. This forms coilsal. 2016) have shown it can exert positivesure and pain. or twists in the skin believed to separatephysiological effects on the dermal, lym- The tape comes in several colors, which the muscle and dermal layers as well asphatic, circulatory, and neuromuscularare no different other than darker colors increase interstitial space (areas betweensystems. Taping can potentially influence(red, black) absorb more sunlight and cells) and stimulate mechanoreceptorsthese systems through four major actions: increase skin temperature under the tape. (cells that respond to stimuli). In theory,1.Supporting weakened, overused, or in- Practitioners can use the taping meth-the increased space has a lower pressurejured muscles by helping them contractods at any point in the healing process, gradient than surrounding areas and pullsor relax; reducing fatigue and cramping;from acute injury onset to the subacute fluid and exudate (liquid produced in re- preventing overextension and overcon- (recent onset), chronic, or rehab stages. sponse to tissue damage) into it. This fluidtraction; and preventing reinjury. They might also apply the tape as a movement is believed to decrease inflam- 2.Improving circulation by way of the lift- preventive modality in the face of rehab mation in the treated area and aid normaling, space creation, osmotic effect, andor strenuous exercise. Practitioners can blood flow and lymphatic drainage. Theinflammation decrease, which removeuse it in conjunction with cryotherapy, space might also take pressure off swollenlactic acid, breakdown products, dam- hydrotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic or injured muscles, reducing pain and al- aged cells, and cellular debris. treatment, and during workouts. They lowing tissue remodeling and healing.3. Reducing pain by relieving tension inshould not apply it in infected areas, on Currently, studies investigating the usetight, overused, or cramped muscles. tumors, over wounds, or in the presence and efficacy of elastic therapeutic taping4. Correcting joint problems by stabi- of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots).methods in horses are limited. In 2018lizing the ligaments and tendons,When used properly, this taping might researchers performed an internationalallowing full range of motion, reducingprovide horses support during movement, survey of equine veterinarians focused onjoint swelling, and facilitating properimprove circulation and lymphatic flow, sports medicine/rehabilitation on modali- positioning, use, and motion. reduce pain, inflammation, and tension, ties they use. Results showed 33% of re- Practitioners can use these actions in arelax and assist muscles, release fascia, and spondents used elastic therapeutic tapingvariety of combinations, commonly for:improve joint function.hAmerican Association of Equine Practitioners, 4033 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY40511859/233-0147www.aaep.org8March 2020The Horse|TheHorse.comAAEPForum_Mar.indd 8 2/5/20 4:16 PM'