Kinesio tape

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Tamiami
Tamiami Member Posts: 396
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Just wanted to tell everyone that kinesio tape is my new best friend! Smile   Curious as to what others have used the tape for and their results.

Tami

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  • nurseronda10
    nurseronda10 Member Posts: 209
    edited April 2013

    I thought my LE therapist was nuts when she started placing Kinesio tape across my chest and back, but it DOES work.  Glad something does.  She said it works for back pain also.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    My LET used it for tendonitis that developed in my bad arm...it helped immediately, so she used it for the LE today and so far it's feeling really good!  She even taped the cording under my arm after she stretched/cracked it today...woohoo!

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  • GuyGirl
    GuyGirl Member Posts: 182
    edited April 2013

    What is it and how do you use it?

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  • DocBabs
    DocBabs Member Posts: 775
    edited April 2013

    Kenesio tape has been in my life for the past 2 years but not for anything associated with my BC or mastectomy. I had a shoulder replacement and the tape has been a Godsend to me when I've been playing in tennis tournaments that required playing more than one match a day. I'm not surprised to hear that it helps with LE. It's uses are widespread. The most important requirement is to make sure that the person applying the tape has experience with it's application.It's definitely worth a try. BTW, unless you have some knowledge of anatomy you really should not apply it yourself. Plus it is impossible to correctly apply it by yourself on any part of your body other than maybe a knee or lower limb.

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited April 2013

    Does it have hypo allergenic adhesive?

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    You are right DocBabs...I can't imagine trying to do it myself!  So thankful I found it and someone to apply it!

    Lily55~  They mentioned that some people get irritated around the edges of the tape, but I've had no trouble.  I'm assuming it's not hypoallergenic.  Are you allergic to all adhesives?

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    Kinesio tape is my new best friend.  My LE therapist started taping me up in patterns and it works!  Especially on my hands.  If I get fluid buildup, I tape it up and it helps so much.

    Also, I got Plantar Fasciitis a leftover from chemo.  Kinesio tape is like a miracle with that...just search You Tube for Plantar Fasciitis and Kinesio tape.

    I buy my Kinesio tape from Amazon.com - I buy Kinesio Tex Gold.  It's relatively inexpensive and great!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    DeniseG~  Yes...the patterns are amazing, almost artistic huh?  There is no way I could do my own LE taping though.  Maybe on the plantar fascitis?  I had that once and it took 4 trys with cortisone injections to get rid of it...be really happy for the tape!

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    Tamiami - The taping my LE taught me was relatively simple.  And do check out YouTube...

    Yes, when you get that Plantar Fasciitis taped up, it literally goes away.  A miracle...

    By the way, I live in Toledo and get to Detroit area quite often.  My MO is at Univ of Michigan

    where I had surgery and chemo.  Had Rads in Toledo.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    Denise~  I am about half way between Detroit and Ann Arbor.  U of M is highly regarded...I'm sure you are in good hands!  Did you come to the states for care to avoid the long wait in Canada?  I hope that's not too intrusive...just curious.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    Tamiami,  I live in Toledo, Ohio...but I did meet quite a few Canadians there actually.

    But I went to U of M because of their reputation.  They have lived up

    to it!  I don't have even one negative thing to say about them.  They have

    been remarkable to me!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    OMG I'm sorry Denise...I must be tired!!  I read Toledo as Toronto!!  WOW!!

    I'm glad that U of M has been the right place for you!

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    Denise

    I was recently asking my LEist about the tape as I have one puffy area between my fingers that drives me nuts.  She said we could give it a try if I wanted, but then I passed.

    Think I will ask her again...let me be clear - you do this yourself after she has shown you how ?
      How long do the effects last and how often do you chanbge the tape ?
    THX

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited April 2013

    Lily55 - my LE PT put a tiny piece of kinesio tape on my inner bicep of my non-LE arm as a test for sensitivity.  She was really hoping I could use it but alas, I am violently allergic to it, as I am to all adhesives.  Part of the benefit of kinesio tape is the strength to hold things in place - this is accomplsihed with very strong adhesive, so if you have tape issues it may not work, but you can always do a test with a small piece.  I am very thankful that she tested rather than tape me up and find out it was a mistake the hard way!  So glad it is helping the rest of the people on this thread!

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited April 2013

    I'm allergic to adhesives too but I've read they could put something under the tape (like Milk of Magnesia) to guard the skin against the adhesive.

    I'd love to try to the tape but no one around here knows how to do it for LE.

    I'm glad too that it is helping you, Tamiami.

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited April 2013

    Sadly i am very allergic to normal adhesive.......so hope i don't really need it - i have been using ricin oil on the área lately and hard swelling around scar has reduced significantly and softer swelling elsewhere

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2013

    Here's more about Kinesio Tape for Lymphedema, from the main Breastcancer.org site.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    The info I received includes precautions from the manufacturer.

    "Use of this product may result in skin irritation in some people.  Should there be ANY sign or indication of ski irritation (itching, redness, rash, etc.)  DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY!"

    "If there is a tendancy to be allergic to adhesives, first try a test patch of Kinesio tape."

    These were just the ones that talked about allergies.  I am very thankful that I'm not allergic!  I can't wait to get measured on Monday...I'll keep you posted!

    Tami

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited April 2013

    Purple32 - yes I do it myself after my LE therapist taught me - mostly I do it on my hands.  I keep it on about 2 to 3 days until it looks kind of ragged - but you can shower with it, etc.

    ADHESIVE sensitivity - you know, normally I have that or latex not sure which.  During chemo they  had to use paper stuff on me because I had such a bad skin reaction.  But the Kinesio Tex Gold doesn't bother me.  I use it for 2 or 3 days, give it a break for 2 or 3 days, then use it again.  So far so good.

    Okay, gotta go - got an LE Therapist appt this morning - LOL!  I will get all taped and bandaged up!  Yippee...


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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    Well, we are trying the kinesio...have it on my hand.  My puffy area is the webbing at the bottom of the fingers.

    I was also shown how to wrap tonight.

    Will go back in app 1 week and see more.

    I have another pc of the tape here for when this one gets shot.

    Hoping for the best!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited April 2013

    Good luck purple!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited April 2013

    Purple, take a look at the hand taping on this page:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/kinsiotaping_for_lymphedema.htm

    Be well,
    Binney

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited April 2013

    Wow, that's awesome! Thanks, Binney!



    I would really like to learn how to do this because my problem is in my fingers and it is pooling down between my knuckles and I can't get it out of there. :/

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