Introduction to the specific #NeuroMuscularTaping (#NMT) mechanism of action showing the 5 KEYS for correct application methodology.
Correct NMT #decompressiontaping results in skin wrinkling, folds, or undulations, accentuated through body movements. It aims to decompress underlying tissues, enhancing blood and #lymphatic fluid dynamics, reducing pressure, and facilitating #rehabilitation processes. The following are 5 key areas to determine if the taping application has correctly fulfilled the specific methodology known as NeuroMuscular Taping, #Lymphatictaping and #linfotaping to treat #edema, #pain, #neuropathy, #stroke, #motorfunction and many other conditions.
Introduction to the Specific NeuroMuscular Taping (NMT) Mechanism of Action
Correct NMT application results in skin wrinkling, folds, or undulations, accentuated through body movements. It aims to decompress underlying tissues, enhancing blood and lymphatic fluid dynamics, reducing pressure, and facilitating healing processes. The name “NeuroMuscular Taping” originates from its dilation action over neural pathways and receptors embedded in muscles, fascia, connective tissue, and skin, facilitating muscular function and proprioceptive coordination of body movement.
The following are 5 key areas to determine if the taping application has correctly fulfilled the specific methodology known as NeuroMuscular Taping.
Anatomy and Target Area of the Treatment:
- Understanding Anatomy: A comprehensive understanding of human anatomy is essential for effective NMT application. This includes knowing the location and function of muscles, fascia, tendons, skeletal structure, vascular and lymphatic pathways, nerves, connective tissue, and other tissues making up the body.
- Functional Anatomy: Understanding how anatomical structures interact during movement and how they are affected by different conditions helps in identifying the precise area for treatment.
- Physiology: A deep understanding of physiological processes, such as blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, and nerve conduction, is essential for effective treatment strategies.
- Professionalism: Only those fully trained in Health Sciences, such as Doctors, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, Lymphatic Drainage Specialists, Osteopaths, Nurses, and other medical support professionals, are able to have the necessary understanding and clear therapeutic objectives for the application of NMT.
Skin Anatomy, Function, and Lines of Elasticity
- Skin Physiology: The skin is the body’s largest organ and has unique properties that affect how tapes adhere and function. Understanding skin layers and their characteristics (e.g., epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissues) is crucial to correct therapeutic taping applications.
- Nerve Functions: Embedded in the most external aspect of our body are receptors that provide constant afferent feedback relating to temperature, pain, movement, and proprioception. The skin is the most peripheral innervated organ of our body.
- Elasticity Lines: Skin has natural lines of major elasticity, which are directly linked to the body’s movement capacity. These lines were first described by David Blow in his book in 2012. They differ from Langer’s lines, which describe lines of minor elasticity often used in surgical planning. Applying tape in alignment with these lines of major elasticity is the base principle in enhancing therapeutic NMT action.
- Range of Elasticity: Different areas of the skin have varying degrees and of range of elasticity, especially over joint areas. Knowing these differences helps tailor tape application to ensure it complements the skin’s natural movements and properties during movement.
Zero Stretch – are you sure that the tape is applied without stretch?
- NMT Zero Stretch Principle: Applying the tape with zero stretch on the skin in an extended position over the treatment area means the tape is not stretched as it is applied. This may seem simple but clinically it is not! This technique ensures that the tape creates an eccentric mechanical action fundamental to NeuroMuscular Taping.
- Extended Position: Placing the skin and underlying treatment target area in an extended position (e.g., stretching the muscle or bending the knee before applying the tape) effectively assists muscle contraction and elongation dynamics necessary for proprioceptive control.
- Elastic-Decompressive Technique: This method, based on zero stretch, creates the dilation action necessary to reduce pressure on the underlying tissues, promoting blood flow and lymphatic drainage, and alleviating pain.
Tape Width
- Cutting the Tape: The width of the tape should be adjusted according to specific therapeutic needs. Wider tape can provide more substantial support (known as FUNCTIONAL action) and cover a larger area, while narrower tape (known as VASCULAR or SENSORY action) can offer more precise targeting of smaller areas.
- Therapeutic Stimulation: The way the tape is cut (e.g., into strips, fans, or Y cut) can influence the type of stimulation provided to the skin and underlying tissues.
- Depth of Action: The width and shape of the tape affect how deeply the therapeutic effects penetrate, with narrower tape generally having a more superficial effect and wider tape potentially reaching deeper tissues.
Spaces Between Tapes are Fundamental
- Spacing Guidelines: Leaving spaces between strips of tape helps manage the depth and extent of the treatment. These spaces allow the skin and underlying target areas to move more freely and will enhance the overall therapeutic effect.
- Depth of Action: By adjusting the spacing, practitioners can control how deeply the tape’s effects are felt. Closer spacing can provide more concentrated and deeper functional objectives, while wider spacing can allow for more superficial and sensory effects.
- Coverage: Covering between 30% and 50% of the surface area over the target zone is a general rule for maximizing the decompressing nature of the NMT application. This ensures that the tape provides adequate decompressive action and consequent therapeutic benefit without restricting movement or fluid circulation.
Conclusion
Each of these principles are fundamental to obtain an effective application of NeuroMuscular Taping, ensuring that treatments are both efficient and tailored to the individual diagnosis and treatment objective of the patient.
References
- This book, first published in 2012, outlines the principles and applications of NeuroMuscular Taping, providing a detailed guide on its methodology and therapeutic uses. Blow, D. (2012). NeuroMuscular Taping: From Theory to Practice. ISBN: 978146753036-1 Edi ERMES EDITOR
- This book, published in 2014, outlines the principles and applications of NeuroMuscular Taping specific to assist in Lymphatic drainage and vascular functioning, treatment of bruising and scar adhesion. Blow, D. (2013). NeuroMuscular Taping: Treatment of Edemas, Hematomas, and Scars. ISBN: 978887051377-6 EDI ERMES EDITOR
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Is there a NeuroMuscular Taping Training program suitable for you?
Are you interested in enrolling in an NMT Course?
The NeuroMuscular Taping Institute provides certification courses in physical rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, post surgical rehab, occupational therapy, speech therapy, remedial therapy, nursing as well vascular and lymphedema treatment and management. All trainings are classroom settings to enhance skill development and clinical reasoning creating optimum therapeutic results. ONLINE courses are not available. Please contact your local course provider or visit the NMT WEB SITE for course programs and dates.
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Do you require validation of your NMT methodology for research purposes?
A detailed Neuromuscular Taping methodology is crucial in any research project for several reasons. Repeatability, Transparency, Validity and Reliability of your treatment choices will not only have an impact on your research but also an impact on future therapeutic choices. For more detailed information about the NMT, please contact us at: david.blow@nmtinstitute.org
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