## When were they invented? In the 1970s, Japanese doctor Kenzo Kase, while treating patients for arthritis, decided to create a technique that would help support joints and muscles without limiting the range of motion. This is how the method of kinesiological taping appeared—a method of treatment where a special elastic tape on the adhesive basis from a patented mixture of cotton and nylon. Kinesio tape is applied to the injured parts of the body. ## How do they work? ⠀ The tape looks like a regular plaster. It is glued to the sprained muscle or joint using different tape tension. The body uses its forces for recovery by stabilizing muscles, joints and increasing the space for the circulation of intercellular fluid, blood, and lymph. ===The tape partly takes the load off the injured muscle or joint, therefore reducing pain and swelling, improving blood circulation, and decreasing and relieving the inflammatory process. Tapes cannot stretch the skin, but if applied incorrectly, they might increase muscle tension, provoke puffiness, and cause discomfort. Therefore, leave kinesio taping to professionals—you will not be able to stick the patch onto yourself. ## Who do tapes help? Kinesio taping is used in physiotherapy, traumatology, neurology, and orthopedics. It is used to treat soft tissue bruises, sprains, pain in the shoulder, knee, neck, lower back, headaches, osteochondrosis, heel spur, and leg edema in pregnant women. It has anesthetic effects (within a few minutes after gluing), anti-inflammatory effects, lymphatic drainage effects, and it reduces swelling and hematomas. For some injuries, the tape can replace an orthosis. Kinesio tapes are also popular in cosmetology. It is believed that they help reduce wrinkles, relieve puffiness, smooth nasolabial folds, and tighten the oval of the face without surgery or injections. They reinforce the effect of the massage, leaving your face looking fresher. The cosmetologist places elastic bands on a specific area of the face, neck, and décolleté. Some experts advise doing the procedure at night. ## What else do you need to know? The tapes are flexible, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. They provide air access to the skin without trapping sweat or causing irritation. They allow you to move freely without discomfort and are almost invisible under clothing. You can swim while wearing them—just make sure you dry them properly afterward. When wet, they adhere even more firmly to the skin. Taping is carried out in phases, and the duration depends on the field of application and purpose. It is best not to apply the tapes on wounds, burns, skin rashes, or in presence of allergies, diabetes mellitus, cancer, thrombosis, severe kidney or heart failure.