KINESIOTAPING
Kinesiotaping in hand therapy is a therapeutic technique designed to support healing, reduce pain, and improve function without restricting movement. By applying a flexible, elastic tape to the skin, kinesiotaping helps facilitate proper muscle activation, reduce swelling, and enhance circulation, making it particularly effective for conditions such as tendonitis, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and post-surgical recovery. The tape works by gently lifting the skin, creating space to decrease pressure on pain receptors and improve lymphatic drainage. This allows patients to maintain mobility while benefiting from continuous therapeutic support. Whether used for stabilization, pain relief, or neuromuscular re-education, kinesiotaping is a valuable tool in restoring hand function and promoting a faster, more comfortable recovery.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS OF KINESIOTAPE?
Kinesiotape can be applied in many different ways depending on what we are trying to achieve or correct. Some of the applications include:
- lymphatic drainage - tape is applied over swelling in a specific way and assists with moving the excess fluid towards the lymph nodes; it is being used in conjunction with other lymphatic drainage techniques to help decrease the swelling
- support - tape is applied over the affected muscles, tendons or ligaments and helps to offload some of the tension
- restriction of movement / stabilisation - Kinesiotape can be applied at higher stretch over unstable joint in a similar way to traditional zinc-oxide tape used in injury prevention in sports - the advantage of the elastic tape is that whilst it restricts the movement considerably it doesn't restrict circulation and some small movement is still possible within safe limits
- pain relief - the gentle pressure can help to dissipate pain
- muscle relaxation and muscle facilitation - depending on the way the tape is applied to the muscle it can either work as help to decrease or increase the tone and contractility of the muscle
- correction - tape can be applied after your therapist has corrected position of your fingers, wrist or elbow to maintain this correction for longer - the Kinesiotape will maintain this position allowing the supporting structures of the joint to readjust and maintain the corrected position after the tape has been removed after a period of time
- sensory awareness - the gentle pressure of the tape allows for better sensory awareness, aka proprioception, of whichever body part,
- application for scaring - the tape can help with releasing adhesions and remodelling scar
WHICH INJURIES AND CONDITIONS RESPOND WELL TO KINESIOTAPING?
Kinesiotaping provides support, pain relief, and improved function while allowing natural movement, making it a valuable tool in hand therapy.
Muscle & Tendon Conditions
- Tendonitis/Tendinosis (e.g., Flexor or Extensor Tendonitis)
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (inflammation of thumb tendons)
- Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)
- Overuse injuries & repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
Joint & Ligament Injuries
- Thumb UCL Sprain (Skier’s Thumb/Gamekeeper’s Thumb)
- Finger & Wrist Sprains/Strains
- Joint Instability & Hypermobility (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome)
- Post-dislocation support (e.g., finger or wrist dislocation)
Nerve-Related Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Median nerve compression)
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar nerve irritation)
- Radial Nerve Palsy (Wrist drop)
- Nerve hypersensitivity following injury
Swelling & Circulation Issues
- Post-surgical edema (swelling after hand/wrist surgery)
- Lymphedema (fluid buildup in the hand and fingers)
- Bruising & hematoma management
Arthritic & Degenerative Conditions
- Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand, fingers, or thumb (CMC joint arthritis)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) (for pain relief and joint alignment)
Post-Surgical & Rehabilitation Support
- Post-fracture recovery (e.g., wrist, metacarpal, or phalangeal fractures)
- Scar management (to promote mobility and reduce tightness)
- Post-tendon repair therapy
