Elastic therapeutic taping, sometime referred to as kinesiology taping, is a healing methodology invented and introduced in Japan in 1979 by Dr. Kenzo Kase, founder of Kinesio, based on deep insight into skin and tissue physiology and its relationship to injury, impaired function, pain, and healing. Through subsequent decades of research and clinical validation, the “wisdom” acquired by Dr. Kase has been refined and integrated into the design of Kinesio tape products and a rigorously defined application methodology to ensure the most effective healing outcomes.

• 100% High Grade Cotton – for comfort and air-permeability
• 140% Elasticity – same flexibility as human skin and muscles
• Heat Activated Adhesive – very light, mild, and hypo-allergenic
• 100% Latex Free
• Air permeable, microscopically lifts the skin, channels away moisture
• Durable – average usage allows 3-5 days per application
• More Economical – usually 8-10 applications per roll of tap

Without a doubt, the technique is the most important aspect in achieving the greatest therapeutic results. But the full benefits of the Kinesio® Taping Method were not possible until Kinesio® Tex Tape was developed. The Kinesio® Taping Method requires a tape that is patient and skin-friendly, possesses optimum elastic qualities, is the same thickness as the skin, and is durable enough to stay on for multiple days, even through sweating and showers.

Without getting too technical, the tape is applied over the affected area with the muscles in a stretched position. Then the tape is applied from one end of the muscle to the other with very little to no stretch on the tape itself. The tape is applied from the ORIGIN to INSERTION of the muscle for SUPPORT and from INSERTION to ORIGIN for REHABILITATION.

• Skin should be free of oil, sweat, or lotion prior to application.
• After application, rub down tape to activate heat-sensitive glue.
• Avoid extreme stretching of the tape during application to avoid skin irritation.
• Apply approximately 1 hour prior to activity or shower to allow glue to adhere properly. E) Skin irritation is extremely rare, but care should be taken with hypersensitive skin patients.

There is no physical or chemical difference between the colors. The colors were developed to be compatible with color therapy. The beige was created for minimal visibility and the black was created after many requests. Color choice is a matter of individual preference. The colors can provide field advertising at athletic events, a conversational opener, and instant product recognition.

Difference between Taping Techniques: There are three main taping techniques recognized in the United States: White Athletic Taping, McConnell® Taping Technique, and Kinesio® Taping Method.

• White Athletic Taping is the most commonly used taping technique in the U.S. The tape is extremely rigid and requires a pre-tape prior to application to protect the skin from irritation. Irritation is caused by the entrapment of moisture, high latex content, and severe compression of skin, muscles, and joints. It is typically applied immediately prior to an activity to prevent and protect acute injuries, left on for a short period of time, and taken off immediately after conclusion of activity. There are no rehabilitative uses or benefits.

• McConnell® Taping is a bracing or strapping technique using a super-rigid, cotton mesh, highly-adhesive tape. It affects the bio-mechanics of the patient and is most commonly used for patellofemoral and shoulder subluxation, as well as lumbar, foot, and hip impingement. It is typically left on for a shorter period of time (no longer than 18 hours) due to its constricting and suffocating feel and adverse skin reaction. The technique is primarily used for neuromuscular re-education of the affected condition and is widely accepted by the medical community.

• Kinesio® Taping Method is a therapeutic taping technique not only offering your patient or athlete the support they are looking for, but also rehabilitates the affected condition as well. Using a highly specific tape design that works with the body, allowing full ROM (and in most cases improving ROM), Kinesio® Taping will not affect bio-mechanics of the patient. Latex-free, Kinesio® Tex Tape is safe for sensitive skin and for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric. There is no compression on the skin, making it “light to the feel” and allowing comfortable wear over a 3-5 day period. Its water-resistant fabric wicks away moisture and allows the patient to bathe or even swim as usual. Lymph and blood circulation are facilitated in order to rehabilitate and relieve pain. It is used for virtually all clinical conditions.

Kinesio Tape is latex free.

All our tapes are water resistant. For the best hold, it’s best if the tape is applied before activity and that the skin is clean, dry and free of any lotions or oils. It is recommended that after the tape is applied to the skin that the tape is rubbed to activate the adhesive as well as to help it adhere.

Yes. For credit card verification you must enter your billing address exactly as it appears on your credit card statement. Our payment provider might block payments for which the customer-entered zip/postal code does not match the code on file with the card-issuing bank. However, the shipping address you wish to ship to does not need to match your billing or credit card address.

An approved Kinesio® Taping course is a course that has been recognized as meeting the educational standards set forth by the Kinesio® Taping Association, the governing educational body of the Kinesio® Taping Method. All approved courses offer the participant the most current and advanced teaching methods and protocols that have been specifically created to enhance Kinesio® Taping proficiency. All courses are taught by a recognized Certified Kinesio® Taping Instructor (CKTI) who has met the training and re-certification training necessary to properly disseminate the Kinesio® Taping Method and its reasoning. The instructing CKTI has submitted the proper forms, teaching plans, and course outline to KTA to insure that the seminar taught will meet the requirements necessary to obtain proper accreditation. Only approved courses are accepted in obtaining accreditation as a Certified Kinesio® Taping Practitioner.

In contrast, a non-approved course is a course and/or courses that has not met the educational standards, protocols and requirements established by the Kinesio® Taping Association. A non-approved course may be taught by an instructor who is not recognized or trained by the KTA, therefore KTA cannot guarantee the same high standards of teaching. Non-approved Kinesio® Taping educational units will not be accepted in obtaining the accreditation necessary to become a CKTP.

In order to attend a Kinesio Taping® seminar, each attendee must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must have completed 80 course hours of anatomy and physiology
• Must have a working knowledge of the musculoskeletal system
• Must be able to do assessments by evaluating and/or diagnosing injuries and conditions
• Must have achieved or is a student in their junior or senior year (transcripts must be provided) working towards one or more of the following credentials: ARNP, ATC, CAT(C), CCSP, CDP, CHT, CLT, CMBT, CMT, CNMT, COMT, COTA, COTA/L, CPO, CRN, CST, CT, DC, DO, DOM, DPT, Lac, LAT, LLCC, LMBT, LMP, LMT, LOT, LOTA, LPT, LPTA, MD, MDT, MLD, MOT, MOTR/L, MPT, MT, MTC, NCMT, NCTMB, NDT, NMD, NMT, NP, NRC, OCS, ODT, OMD, OPA, OT, OTA, OTC, OTR, OTR/L, PT, PT-C, PTA, PA, RMT, RN, RPT, RPTA, SLP, Paramedics, Kinesiotherapist and Kinesiologists.

There are three steps to become a CKTP:

1. Register and complete Kinesio Taping® Foundations Course.
2. Complete online CKTP exam and pass with 80% or higher.
3. Purchase and maintain an annual KTAI membership.

Yes. The Express course covers almost all the material covered in Assessments, Fundamental Concepts and Techniques and Advanced Techniques and Clinical Reasoning but in a slightly more condensed format. After taking the Express Course you can take the CKTP Exam.

The only difference is Partner Hosted is hosted by someone else who takes the registrations, sets the price and hires the Instructor. An Official is hosted by Kinesio University. The course content is exactly the same.

Students can take the exam and upon graduation get their CKTP designation.

You may only do so if both courses are hosted by the same Partner. Please contact the facility host for more details.

Immediately and are encouraged to do so.

You do not need to wait. You can take it immediately after Kinesio Taping Assessments, Fundamental Concepts and Techniques.

CEUs awarded for seminars vary by state and profession.

For information for CEUs, please contact our Seminar Department at 1-888-320-8273 or via email at seminar@kinesiotaping.com

If a Distributor is present at your seminar, you will be able to buy product. If one is not available you can go to www.shopkinesio.com

No, for CEU purposes, you must attend both days.

Yes, the workbook and tape is included in the price. Please bring a notebook and your best pair of scissors to the seminar.

You will have to check with your local board for PT’s only. ATC, OT and LMT’s do transfer from state to state. You may have to self-submit for approval. Please contact our Seminar Department at 1-888-320-8273 or via email at seminar@kinesiotaping.com

Because of the significant hands-on component of our certification courses, we are unable to offer them in an online format. A majority of the seminar time is devoted to hands-on exercises to give you practical, hands-on experience to help you apply your new skills immediately.

We do have a series of videos on specific clinical subjects which are available on DVD or for download. These may be purchased at http://www.shopkinesio.com/DVD-Disks_c_31.html

We are looking forward to hosting more online education in the future.

PLEASE NOTE: To access the Kinesio Taping Application Database your must have an active Kinesio Taping Association International (KTAI) membership. The membership levels that have access are 60 Trial Memberships, KTP or ELITE levels. For more information on membership level benefits CLICK HERE.

Below are the steps to access the Kinesio Taping Application Database.

Steps:

1. Open Kinesiotaping.com
   
2. You have to login with your username and password.
   
3. After logging in, click the TAPING DATABASE button. It is located at the bottom of the left column. You will automatically redirect to the database.
   

All orders will be processed and shipped Monday – Friday, excluding holidays. Please allow 1 – 3 business days for your order to be processed and shipped. Orders are shipped via USPS, UPS or FedEx.

Items may be returned within 30 days of purchase for a full refund (minus shipping charges): Unused rolls of tape in their original packaging and in sale-able condition. Unused books, manuals and Kinesio accessories in undamaged condition. All sales of instruction DVDs are final – no returns accepted. ALL damaged product will be exchanged for the same item within 7 days.  Once you have returned the product(s) as directed, you will receive a full refund, minus shipping charges. Please contact accounting@kinesiotaping.com to request a refund.