Active Release Technique; Kinesio Taping – How Can They Be a Great Help
There are two techniques that are used to address common physical ailments particulary physical injuries and these are the Active Release Technique and Kinesio Taping – both applied usually by chiropractors to their patients. But what really are the benefits of these two techniques? Let us tackle them one by one.
Active Release Technique - considered to be non-evasive, very safe, and has no side effect; it is a soft tissue system /technique that addresses problems in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Here are some of the benefits it brings:
- Increase flexibility – a patient who undergoes ART will have muscles that are more flexible, easy to stretch
- Increased muscle quantity – this helps a patient gets higher quality muscles, which is necessary to perform better and endure longer with less pain.
- Less injury – because of an increased muscle quantity and quality, it becomes more flexible and, naturally, helps prevent injuries from physical activities.
- Can cure various soft tissue conditions – tennis and golfers elbow, back and shoulder pain, whiplash, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints; can also be effective where adhesions have affected nerves such as in carpal tunnel syndrome.
Kinesio Taping Technique - this is applied on muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, and to relax overused muscles; it is a product designed to mimic human skin, which helps push injured muscles into proper position for movement; kinesio tape is a popular item utilized by athletes worldwide. It can be used in the following conditions:
- Ankle sprains – usually happen when you make rapid shifting movements
- Knee conditions
- Shoulder injuries – which is common in sports
- Whiplash – usually acquired in auto accident as well as in sports
- plantar fasciitis – an inflammation of the think tissue found on the bottom of the foot
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – a medical condition that causes paresthesia, pain, numbness, and other symptomsLower back and neck pain
- Tennis elbow – its medical term is lateral epicondylitis; causes recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm, below the bend elbow.
- Patella tracking problems – commonly known as kneecap injury problem
- Pre and post surgical edema
The above two techniques have been proven to be very effective for various physical ailments, such as those injuries acquired from sports/game accident.
Note: For Kinesio taping, the tape can be applied to skin immediately after swelling has occurred; icing should be done over the tape you sticked.
