Kinesio taping is what atheletes use when they tape their muscles and it is apparently used often for people with CP. Here is a description from Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare.
Each day, our muscles extend and contract within a normal range. If muscles overextend or overcontract, however, they’re unable to recover, and they become inflamed. When a muscle is inflamed, swollen or stiff, the space between the skin and muscle is compressed. This compression constricts the flow of lymphatic fluid, causing myalgia, or muscular pain.
At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, we use Kinesio Taping® as an adjunct to regular therapy to treat inflamed, swollen and stiff muscles that result from brachial plexus injuries, torticollis, cerebral palsy, postural abnormalities, and muscle weakness.
Kinesio Taping works much like a therapist’s hands to:
Reduce muscle compression
Increase circulation of lymphatic fluid under the skin
Improve muscle function
Reduce pain
Enhance sensory awareness
How Kinesio Taping Works
Latex-free, elastic Kinesio® Tape is applied along the length of a muscle as the muscle is stretched. Applied at the end (insertion) of the muscle, it relaxes muscle contractions. At the beginning (origin) of the muscle, it promotes muscle use or contractions.
Unlike conventional athletic tape — which is used for a short time to restrict movement of affected muscles and support joints — Kinesio Taping lets people move freely and prevents over-stretching. In addition, athletic tape is applied in layers that obstruct the flow of lymphatic fluid. Kinesio Tape is applied either as a single strip or in the shape of an X or Y. Rather than restricting circulation, the tape improves it.
Kinesio Taping is inexpensive. The tape is comfortable to wear and can stay in place for three to five days, even when wet. Parents or caretakers can be taught how to apply it. There are few side effects, although it sometimes irritates skin.
I can't say I fully understand this whole concept but I'm trying! The problem we are having is that the tape will not stay on her skin. Before taping her the PT put a small piece of tape on her stomach to make sure she woudn't have an allergic reaction to it. She said in 24 hours we should put her in a bath and use baby oil to get it off. Less than 24 hours later it came off completely on its own. I told her this and she was a bit surprised to hear that. She said that maybe her skin was oily. She thought a larger piece would stay on longer. It did, but not much. She was taped on Tuesday. I was given instructions to keep it on for 3 days (we were told that she could have a bath with it on, which she did) and then on the 3rd day we were again told to put her in a bath and remove it with baby oil. By Wednesday both pieces were almost completely off. I ended up just removing them. I'm curious what the PT will say about this. I'd love to hear if anyone out there has any thoughts on this.
8 comments:
Interesting. Gillette is where Alina is seen, they are kind of the top of the umbrella of her care. They didn't mention this to me about Alina. I remember speaking of Botox to her ankles.... I will have to ask. Very interesting though... but like you I don't fully understand it or how it could help a CP kid.
We used kinesio tape on Dasha's feet/ankles to give them some support before she got her Suresteps (still waiting on those). Didn't seem to bother her at all and stayed on better than I thought it would. Interesting that it's coming off Oksana so easily, especially in an area that stays (relatively) dry. It started to peel off Dasha's feet before the 3 days but I thought that was due to foot sweat &/or sock rubbing.
Try washing the area with some rubbing alcohol first. It should help with the Lilongwe.
Oops, oiliness. I hate auto spell check.
I used kinesio tape on my calf for foot pain and on my neck after I got rear ended. It is AMAZING. it's totally weird you can FEEL it supporting you when you move your muscles if it is taped properly. It really helped me, but the only problem is that it can start to curl up on the ends.
I wonder if her underwear/pants are rubbing on it and its peeling off faster. I had to wear a high knee sock so that mine didn't rub off when it was on my foot because the first time I got taped I had pants that rubbed it and a sock that did too.. Maybe instead of underwear have her wear kneelength leggings under her clothing? See if that helps stay better.
One if my DD used the tape on her legs, stomach and back for mild CP/ hypotonia.
The place we had the hardest place keeping it 'on' was her back. It was just sweatier/oilier,etc.
The worse was her stomach since as it peeled up- it pulled and pinched.
We had a lot of success using it on her stomach, shins, and thighs though!! We saw a lot of improvement.
We used baby oil to remove sticky residue/but often it peeled off before it was supposed to. Our PT put a clear 'glue' of some kind that helped. I wish I recalled the name, but I dont (it has been 2 years).
I also think that the knee socks she wore on her legs and/or tights helped make it last longer.
Maybe put bike shorts on over the tape to help 'hold' it to her skin longer.
My DD still often wears tights/leotard/etc becuase it helps her 'feel more together'...I think it reminds her of the tape. The extra support gives her more physical confidence.
The night before, shave the area where the tape will be applied. I've found that this helps significantly.
There are tiny hairs present all over your body, even in spots that aren't generally considered "hairy." When you remove that hair, the tape adheres much better.
Also, the night before, exfoliate the area. (Shaving will do that for you a bit, as it removes the upper layer of skin.) Place her in a bath for 15-20 minutes to allow her skin to soften, then gently rub the area with a washcloth using a circular motion.
Hopefully, these measures -- combined with cleaning the area right before to remove oils -- will help the tape stick! :-)
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