When watching the Adhesive Strips For Muscles, the audience will notice that there is something particularly eye-catching on the athletes' bodies - "colorful adhesive tapes" of different shapes. In different competition events, the areas where athletes apply the tape also vary: for diving, the tape is on the back and ankles; for beach volleyball, it is on the buttocks and thighs; for judo, it is on the waist, and so on.
Dr. Shao, a rehabilitation therapist from Delcony, will introduce that these colorful adhesive tapes have a professional name, called muscle stickers, which were invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase from Japan in the 1970s. Its function lies in supporting and relaxing muscles, increasing the range of motion of joints and promoting blood circulation. For professional athletes, it enhances the body's own continuous positive regulation, thereby preventing injuries, activating muscles and correcting force lines. Strive to ensure that athletes' physical forms meet the high requirements of sports events, enhance their overall competitive abilities, and achieve outstanding competition results. Then do you know why muscle patches without drug ingredients are favored by athletes? Now let's lift the veil of mystery surrounding muscle patches together.
Kinesiology tape is an elastic patch that can be used to treat sports injuries and is currently widely applied in the fields of sports medicine and rehabilitation medicine. It has two major characteristics for the human body: one is the elasticity of the muscle patch itself, and the other is the interaction between the muscle patch and the skin.
The elasticity of the muscle patch
The muscle patch contains highly elastic fiber filaments, and its length varies with the applied tension. It can generate elasticity equivalent to 140-160% at most, which is an important mechanism for its therapeutic effect. Usually, when rehabilitation therapists use it, the stretching range is around 25%. When torn off from the backing paper, there will be a 5-10% retraction. When the tensile force exceeds its own load or it is cut too finely, the elasticity disappears and it will form a performance similar to that of a white patch to fix the bandage.
The interaction between the patch and the skin
The characteristic of the muscle patch is that when its tension is less than 50%, the horizontal retraction property between the patch and the skin will come into play. While the patch retracts towards the fixed end, it will drive the local muscle fascia, increase the flow of subcutaneous tissue fluid and blood, and achieve the effect of promoting movement performance and improving circulation.
When the tension of the muscle patch is greater than 50%, the vertical downward pressure characteristic between the muscle patch and the skin generates a stable force on the local target tissue, achieving the effect of local support and protection.
The effect of horizontal retraction characteristics on human tissues
01. Eliminate edema
When human tissues are injured or inflamed, leading to increased permeability of microvessels and even rupture and bleeding. The horizontal retraction feature of the attachment can guide the liquid to flow in a certain direction, just like opening channels in different directions at a waterlogged area, which has the effect of unblocking congestion.
Relaxing muscles and promoting muscle contraction (seesaw principle) : Muscles are attached to bones, with their starting and ending points respectively. They have the function of active contraction and play a major role in controlling human movements.
02. Relieve pain
When local tissues are injured or inflamed, the horizontal retraction property of the muscle tape can increase the subcutaneous space, reduce excessive pressure on the local tissues, and drive the fascia and tissue fluid to move in a certain direction. While promoting the circulatory metabolic function, it also removes the excess heat energy from the local tissues, allowing the body to restore dynamic balance and achieve the purpose of alleviating pain.
The effect of the vertical downward pressure characteristic on human tissues
01. Stabilize joints
A muscle patch with greater tension can provide a stable force for vertical downward pressure on the joint. Combined with the use of certain gesture operations, the relative position of the joint can be adjusted as needed, and it can assist the joint in moving in a good arrangement, which is helpful for establishing a good posture and avoiding improper movements.
02. Supporting organizations:
Increase the gap between the skin and muscles, promote lymphatic and blood circulation, and reduce the irritating substances that cause pain. The tension of its patch can further reduce muscle tension and fatigue and support weak muscle tissues.