What is Kinesio tape?
Chiropractor Kevin Kelly is a certificated Kinesio taping practitioner.
Introduction
Dr. Kenzo Kase, founder of the Kinesio Taping method received his Doctorate of Chiropractic (D Chiro) from the National College of Chiropractics.
He runs a practice in the United States. Through Dr Kase”s clinical experience he found that joint pain resulted from the abnormality of muscles and myo-fascial tissues around the joint rather than from the joint itself.
With this understanding, he developed and introduced Kinesio Taping in the 70″s to correct abnormalities of muscles and myo-fascial tissues.
The consequent kinesiology taping practice should be regarded more as a “therapy” or “methodology” than a taping technique.
4 Major Functions and Effects of Kinesiology Taping
To normalise muscle functio
To improve lymphatic and blood flow
To reduce and manage pain
To correct the misalignment of joints and tissues
The Tape
The thickness of the tape is the same as that of the skin epidermis
The capacity of tape to stretch to 130 -140% is similar to elasticity of the skin
The high-quality, 100% cotton material is covered with a layer of acrylic glue
The combination of tape material and sine wave glue application allows the release of sweat and permits skin respiration
The tape is applied to the backing paper with approximately 25% stretch
Irritation of the skin has not been reported.
The tape can work for more than 4 or 5 days
Kinesiology Tape allows the normalisation of both over-stretched and over-contracted muscles; it also promotes the flow of lymphatic fluids and blood.
Differences:Traditional Athletic Taping vs Kinesiology
Traditional Athletic Taping Kinesiology Taping
Sports Taping is a mechanical methodology
Kinesiology Taping is a sensory methodology
Sports Taping is for functional immobilisation
Kinesiology Taping therapy offers potential of restoring full range of movement
Sports taping methods aim to protect muscles
Kinesiology Taping methods seek to normalise muscle function
Immobilisation created through sports taping therapy can inhibit blood circulation
Kinesiology Taping therapy can improve blood circulation.
Information provided by Levotape©
Chiropractic training for specialization in treating animals?
Most Chiropractors of my generation have treated a couple of animals in their time. In my case over 20 years ago - the last time I treated a Doberman dog, which was lying partially sedated on a Vet’s operating table, I manipulated it’s spine and after a few days it’s problem had improved considerably. These days things are a little more sophisticated with special training and courses for treating animals using manipulative techniques. I have copied some information from the College of Chiropractors web site page about animal chiropractors.
At the bottom of the page is a link to registered animal practitioners.
World-wide, chiropractic for animals is strongly established and is growing rapidly. Many animal owners have found dramatic proof of the efficacy of Chiropractic for treatment of spinal problems in horses, dogs and cats. 
From a legal perspective, treating animals using chiropractic techniques is governed by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. The chiropractor is working as a ‘paraprofessional’ and after obtaining the permission of the animal’s Veterinary Surgeon before treatment commences.
The College of Chiropractors recognises those chiropractors who have particular clinical experience and qualifications in the animal field via its Animal Faculty. In common with the College’s other clinical faculties, membership of the Animal Faculty requires achievement of relevant M-level qualifications, equivalent: Licentiate Membership requires a PGCert (60 M-level credits), or equivalent, Membership requires a PGDip (120 M-level credits), or equivalent, and Fellowship requires an MSc (180 M-level credits), or equivalent.
M-level study
The MSc Animal Manipulation course, offered by the Mctimoney College of Chiropractic, is open to applicants meeting one of the following criteria:
§ The holding of a professional qualification in Osteopathy, Chiropractic or Physiotherapy
§ A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
§ The holding of an honours degree in Animal Science or Equine Science
The course is taught over two years and leads to the award of an MSc Animal Manipulation from the University of Wales.
The MSc Chiropractic (Small Animals) course, also offered by the McTimoney College of Chiropractic, is open to applicants who hold a professional qualification in Chiropractic. The course is taught over one year and leads to the award of an MSc Chiropractic (Small Animals) from the University of Wales.
The international academy of veterinary chiropractic (IAVC), based in Germany, offers a basic course (~210 hours) and an advanced course (~140 hours) in animal chiropractic for qualified chiropractors. The Basic Programme is taught in the UK.
Click the following link to view a list of current members: College of Chiropractors Animal Faculty_240912.pdf
GOLDEN RULES FOR CORRECT SITTING
To help to care for your back, use these simple back care tips in any chair, at work or at home. These are the basic tools for improving your sitting posture and preventing stiffness, fatigue, and injury. Always keep the three natural curves of your back in mind when you sit. Use good posture to support your three curves. Try to shift your sitting position often to take the strain off your lower back.
Sitting in Your Chair
Sitting Correctly
Some minor changes can reduce strain on your back. You can adjust the way you sit or adjust your chair. Aids such as a lumbar support can also help keep your spine aligned.
Support your lumbar curve
Maintain your lumbar curve with a lumbar support. Use a pre-made support, or make one with a towel rolled to 4 to 6 inches. Place it in the small of your back.
Tip forward
Help restore your lumbar curve: Tip your pelvis forward by adjusting the seat angle on your chair or by using a seat wedge. Use a pre-made wedge, or sit on a towel rolled into 2 to 3 inches.
Sit over your work
Help prevent slouching by sliding your chair under your desk as far as you can. That way, you’re sitting directly over your work.
Use document stands
Use a document stand or copy holder when you type or read. This will tilt your work up to eye level. Then you don’t have to lean over your desk.
Hold your reading at eye level
If you don’t have a document stand, try to hold your reading up at eye level. That way, you can maintain good posture.
Regularly move in your chair
Staying active in your chair helps keep muscles and ligaments flexible and relaxed. This can help prevent back problems. But be sure to move safely: Sudden bending and sudden twisting are two of the most common ways to hurt your back when sitting.
Shifting position
Shifting position can take the strain off your back and prevent back fatigue. Find two of three safe sitting positions you can use. Alternate throughout the day.
Take micro-breaks
Give your back a break. Move a bit if you’ve been sitting too long. Stand and stretch. A few minutes of easy back exercises throughout the day can make a big difference in how you feel .
Bend safely
When you bend over to pick something up, first slide to the edge of your chair. Then support your back with one hand on your desk and one foot in front of you.
Turn as a unit
When you turn, move your body as a single unit, rather than twisting. Try to keep your hips and feet pointed in the same direction you’re moving.
Support the phone
Support your “phone arm” on your elbow to keep your neck aligned. It also helps to switch sides often. Phone headsets are great if you’re on the phone a lot.
Plymouth Chiropractor Profile | Peverell Chiropractic Clinic Profile
Back Pain Exercises For Strength and Mobility
To relieve back pain and Sciatica there are two main types of exercises available;
- Core exercises to strengthen your core muscles.
- Mobility exercises which, by stretching and relaxing your muscles and mobilising your joints, allow for a looser spine and easier movement.
This article will focus on the exercises we provide our patients:
A good basis for treating lower back pain is rest and regular weight bearing exercise (short walks); but include a lower back pain mobility routine and your recovery will be greatly enhanced. However, the exercises will not only speed up your 
recovery, they will also help in the prevention of future problems by maintaining your spine’s flexibility and suppleness.
By doing these exercises every morning before getting out of bed, you are not only keeping your spine mobile and loose, but also helping your general health. REMEMBER these exercises have been tried and tested by thousands of our patients over the last 20 years and those that do them religiously every morning reap the most benefits: they notice a much reduced level of lower back pain and stiffness.
The exercises have been designed to specifically mobilise the spine gently without putting undue stress on the surrounding tissues and joints and thus helping your spine’s return to normal function.
They should be performed at least four times a day if you have lower back pain and/or sciatica; it is extremely important to do them before getting out of bed every morning as this allows your spine to loosen up before you put and stress on it by standing and so weight bearing. Repeat the exercises throughout the day and after 2-3 days, as the back pain lessens, begin taking regular 5-10 minute walks and spending slightly more time on you feet.
Perform the exercises in numerical order, however be careful to only do them to roughly 70% of full motion to avoid over stretching the damaged tissues. This will, if kept up, restore normal movement as you will notice that tight muscles feel more relaxed, weak muscles strengthened, joint swelling and inflammation is eased and your joints in general feel less stiff. The exercises also increase bloodflow to damaged areas to help with healing.
We believe in a multi-factorial approach to back care at Peverell Chiropractic Clinic because this provides better results.
The execises should be performed rhythmically and if any exercise causes pain or discomfort then it SHOULD NOT BE CONTINUED until a greater level of healing is reached.
Click Here To Go to Downloads Area to download full size A4 version
Plymouth Chiropractor Profile | Peverell Chiropractic Clinic Profile
Core exercises – Case Study
Six months ago a patient of mine brought her 15 year old son in to see me with dorsal pain (pain between the shoulder blades). He had the worst posture I had ever seen in a normal adolescent. He was very tall 1.88cm and thin with a severe slumping posture. After a couple of treatment sessions sorting out his pain between the shoulders I gave him our clinics core exercise program to do after explaining to his mother that his serious postural problem needed to be addressed as a posture this poor could have a marked impact on him in later years. I photographed him and as you can see below his posture was very, very slumped.
The core exercise program at Peverell Chiropractic clinic is simple to do and extremely effective. The pictures above show this. Remember if these simple exercises can actually alter your posture how much strengthening must they be doing to your core muscles which support your spine….Answer – A tremendous amount.
Please view our video demonstrating these exercises http://www.peverellchiropracticclinic.co.uk/videos/
Plymouth Chiropractor Profile | Peverell Chiropractic Clinic Profile
Chiropractic Research and the effectiveness of Chiropractic treatment
The following article is taken directly from the British Chiropractic Association website at:
http://www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk/For-Health-Care-Professionals-Research-12-mi.aspx
A primary health-care profession with statutory regulation
Numerous Chiropractic research studies throughout the world have shown that chiropractic treatment, including manipulative therapy and spinal adjustment, is both safe and effective.
Manual Therapies Back and Neck Service, NHS North East Essex – Department of Health Case Study – published 19 July 2011; NHS North East Essex wanted to provide greater choice, easier access and shorter waiting times for patients suffering back and neck pain and at the same time address the unsustainably high demand on local spinal services.
Patients can now choose from 20 different providers of chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy based throughout the Colchester and Tendering area. There are four chiropractic, five osteopathy and 11 physiotherapy providers to choose from and they all meet NHS standards and agreed prices. Patients are given an appointment within two weeks and receive up to four treatments.
During 2009/10, 2,810 patients used these services and 97% of patients were seen within two weeks of referral.
Providers are working to locally agreed common referral and clinical protocols and whilst there is competition, there is
also cooperation between individual providers and disciplines to ensure service integration for patients.Evaluation after the first 12 months of offering patients a choice of any qualified provider has identified improved patient access and choice meaning early treatment and improved outcomes; and reduced primary care consultations, imaging, medication costs and inappropriate referrals to secondary care. Referrals to spinal surgeons have reduced by more than 25%.
To date this service has seen over 7000 patients.
In 2009, this approach to offering chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy services to treat back and neck conditions was awarded the NHS Alliance ‘Acorn Award’ for alternative therapy.
The full case study can be read here
http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/back-and-neck-pain-services/
Bronfort; A report into the effectiveness of manual therapy, as practiced by chiropractors, manipulative physiotherapists and osteopaths for various common musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain and other health problems Effectiveness of Manual Therapies: the UK Evidence Report was published in February 2010. This found evidence that spinal
Plymouth Chiropractor Kevin Kelly says "Chiropractic research is fundamental for Chiropractics continuing growth and development"
manipulation/mobilisation is an effective treatment for acute, subacture and chronic low back pain; migraine and cerviocogenic headache; cervicogenic dizziness; manipulation/mobilisation is effective for several extremity joint conditions; and thoracic manipulation/mobilisation is effective for acute/subacute neck pain. The conclusions were based on the results of systematic reviews of randomised clinical trials, widely accepted and primarily UK and US evidenced-based clinical guidelines, plus the results of all RCTs not yet included in the first three categories.
NICE Guidelines In May 2009, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published new guidelines to improve the early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. The guidelines recommend what care and advice the NHS should offer to people affected by low back pain. NICE assessed the effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of available treatments and one recommendation is to offer a course of manual therapy, including spinal manipulation, spinal mobilisation and massage. This treatment may be provided by a range of health professionals, including chiropractors as spinal manipulation is part of the package of care that chiropractors can offer.
UK Beam Trial; Back pain, exercise and manipulation (UK BEAM) randomised trial: effectiveness of physical treatments for back pain in primary care. British Medical Journal Nov 2004; 329; 1377 (doi: 10.1136 /bmj. 38282. 669225.AE)
Medical Research Council; ‘Low Back pain of mechanical origin: randomised comparison of Chiropractic from hospital outpatient treatment’; Meade et al.
Medical Research Council (Follow-up-study) Trial ‘Randomised comparison of Chiropractic and hospital outpatient management for low back pain; results from extended follow up’; Meade et al.
RCGP – Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Acute Low Back Pain (1996, 1999, 2001)
Clinical Standards Advisory Group; Backpain Report 1994.
Acute Back Pain – Primary Care Project; The Wiltshire and Bath Health Commission.
Carter JT, Birrell LN (Editors) 2000. Occupational health guidelines for the management of low back pain at work – principal recommendations. Faculty of Occupational Medicine. London. Occupational health guidelines for the management of low back pain at work – leaflet for practitioners. Faculty of Occupational Medicine. London. 2000. Waddell G, Burton AK 2000. Occupational health guidelines for the management of low back pain at work – evidence review. Faculty of Occupational Medicine. London.
Chiropractic Treatment in Workers with Musculoskeletal Complaints; Mark P Blokland DC et al;Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System vol 8 No 1, Spring 2000
Musculoskeletal Services Framework – Department of Health July 2006
The main treatment interventions, as recommended by the current evidence review and that of clinical guidelines is a biopsychosocial approach: a) Guidance on activity, lifestyle, prognosis and prevention. b) Physical treatments drawn from all types of manual therapy, spinal manipulation and rehabilitation exercise. c) Advice about pain control, including non-prescription medication. d) Psychosocial interventions aimed at resolving cognitive barriers to recovery.
Non-rigid stabilisation procedures for the treatment of low back pain – National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. June 2006 States that chiropractic intervention can be used in the treatment of acute low back pain.
European guidelines for the management of acute nonspecific low back pain in primary care. 2005 Recommends the consideration of spinal manipulation for patients failing to return to normal activities.
Chiropractic research post by Peverell Chiropractic Clinic
Related articles
- tags: Chiropractic Research, Chiropractic Research data from the British Chiropractic Association, Plymouth Chiropractor
Acute Back Pain – What to do at home
low back pain is commonly due to a sprain injury to the joints at the base of the spine. It’s very important to rest the injury and ice it to reduce the inflammation and promote healing during the acute stage of back pain.
Lie on the floor with your legs on a chair so they are bent at approx 90 degrees at the hips and the knees. Put a pillow or cushion behind your head.
Lying in this position flattens the curve at the base of your spine and takes the pressure off the damaged area.
Use an ice pack (make sure its flexible when you take it out of the fridge) if it’s not leave it for a few minutes – you don’t want to be resting on a BLOCK of ice.
Wrap the ice pack in a tea towel and place it under your spine when lying with your leg raised, leave it there for half an hour and repeat 4X – 5X per day.
Try and have a few short 5 minute walks every hour to help to loosen your spine. Anti inflammatory medication for eg Ibuprofen maybe taken to help reduce the inflammation if you are not allergic to it.
Visit your chiropractor when your are able to stand and walk…remember early correct treatment drastically speeds up your back injuries recovery reducing your back pain quickly to more tolerable levels.
Plymouth Chiropractor Profile | Peverell Chiropractic Clinic Profile
