Understanding the differences between compression and decompression taping techniques is crucial for effective NMT rehabilitation. Compression taping provides support through a stretched application, while decompression taping, known as NeuroMuscular Taping, aims to enhance muscle elongation, relieve pressure, and enhance fluid dynamics with a non-stretched application. Clear terminology and methodology are essential to avoid misconceptions and improve therapeutic outcomes.
David Blow
Introduction
The NeuroMuscular Taping Institute encourages article publication to clarify terminology and methodology regarding “taping” techniques used in rehabilitation. This effort is crucial for both professionals and the public suffering from conditions such as low back pain, lymphatic conditions, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amputation and phantom pain, post-surgery recovery, orthopaedic rehab, wound healing, geriatric care and many others. Over the last twenty years, the use of brightly colored adhesive tapes for treating musculoskeletal disorders has become popular, leading to many misconceptions and myths. This has resulted in misunderstandings about the application methodology, leading to foreseeable errors regarding names, theoretical foundations, indications, and technical aspects of these therapeutic tools.
Ambiguity of Taping Terminology
The term “taping” is often used ambiguously, leading to confusion. In research, the term “taping” often leads to descriptive approximation and unknown application methodology, creating consequent articles showing little or no efficacy. Tape application tension levels are operator-dependent, creating excessive variables for clear and comprehensive scientific models. Two primary techniques differ conceptually, practically, and in their application processes: compression taping and decompression taping. Each method leads to different mechanisms of action and function, resulting in varying therapeutic outcomes.
Origin of Compression Taping or Bandaging
The therapeutic use of bandages dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times, famously depicted in the Iliad, where Achilles bandages the wounds of Patroclus. Bandaging involves applying tape or bands over an injured area, creating compression to limit hemorrhage and promote the initial stages of healing. This Greek vase dated 400 BC indicates compressive bandaging technique used until today.
Compression Taping Techniques
- Description: These techniques, often grouped under names like kinesio taping, kinesiology taping, functional taping, sport taping, stretched lymphatic taping or product-named taping, use an elastic tape stretched to varying degrees (e.g., paper-off tension, 25%, 50%, 100%).
- Mechanism: Compression taping involves the application of stretched tape over the target area, whether muscle, joints, or muscle fascia areas, creating a concentric, compressive effect. This method, originally known as Kinesio taping, was developed in Japan in the 1980s and 1990s and has been widely studied.
- Applications: This method aims to provide support, reduce pain, and enhance muscle function by stimulating underlying tissues through compression.
- Challenges: The effectiveness of these techniques is often debated due to operator-dependent variability in levels of tape stretch and application, leading to inconsistent results.
Decompression Taping Techniques
- Description: NeuroMuscular Taping, developed in the early 2000s in Italy, uses a non-stretched tape (known as 0% tension) applied to the skin in an extended position, creating a decompressive, eccentric action.
- Mechanism: This method results in skin wrinkling, folds, or undulations, accentuated through body movements. It aims to decompress underlying tissues, enhancing blood and lymphatic fluid dynamics, reducing (“-” negative) pressure, and facilitating healing processes. Its name “NeuroMuscular” taping originates from its dilation action over neural pathways and receptors embedded in muscles, fascia, connective tissue, and skin, facilitating muscular functioning and proprioceptive coordination of body movement.
- Applications: NeuroMuscular Taping is used for a variety of conditions, including muscle, joint, nerve, vascular, and lymphatic issues, improving mobility, reducing pain, improving wound and ulcer healing, and supporting orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation.
- Advantages: Unlike compression/stretched taping, this method is more reproducible, laying the foundation for a more consistent scientific methodology. Research is ongoing to evaluate its therapeutic benefits.
Clinical Implications and Research – Compression Taping
Clinical Use: Widely used for musculoskeletal support, pain reduction, and functional improvement.
Research: Numerous studies and meta-analyses have evaluated its efficacy, though results are mixed due to the variability in application technique.
- This book provides an extensive overview of the Kinesio Taping Method, including its history, application techniques, and clinical applications. Kase, K., Wallis, J., & Kase, T. (2003). Clinical Therapeutic Applications of the Kinesio Taping Method. Tokyo: Ken Ikai Co Ltd.
- A systematic review that critically evaluates the evidence supporting the use of Kinesio Taping. Parreira Pdo, C., Costa, Lda, C., Hespanhol, L.C., Jr., Lopes, A.D., & Costa, L.O. (2014). Current evidence does not support the use of Kinesio Taping in clinical practice: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 60(1), 31-39.
- This review and meta-analysis examine the effectiveness of kinesiology taping for pain relief in musculoskeletal injuries. Montalvo, A.M., Cara, E.L., & Myer, G.D. (2014). Effect of kinesiology taping on pain in individuals with musculoskeletal injuries: systematic review and meta-analysis. Physician and Sportsmedicine, 42(2), 48-57.
Clinical Implications and Research – Decompression Taping known as NeuroMuscular Taping
Clinical Use: NeuroMuscular Taping (NMT) is increasingly used for a broad range of conditions, particularly where muscle, fascia, joint, and nerve decompression and fluid dynamics are key objectives.
Research: While the clinical use of NMT is expanding, more quantitative and qualitative studies are needed to establish its larger-scale efficacy and neural mechanisms.
- 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
- Post surgical rehabilitation creating faster track protocols for an ever increasing joint prosthetic population. Significantly improved reduction of edema and pain in a rehabilitation context and improved cognitive-attentional processing of external stimuli. NEUROMUSCULAR TAPING (NMT) AND NEUROPLASTICITY: NMT Reduces Pain, Edema and Influences Proprioceptive Cognitive Strategies During Total Knee Arthroplasty Rehabilitation. Albizzati Erica et al. Journal of Medical Research and Case Reports DOI: 110.5281/zenodo.3934948
- In this study, NMT form I has been shown to increase the wound bed temperature and reduce the degree of erythema in DFUs. Effects of neuromuscular taping form I on wound temperature and erythema in diabetic foot ulcer: a preliminary study. Journal of Wound Care. Vol. 33, No. 6. Published Online: 6 Jun 2024 https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2020.0291
- This randomized controlled trial examines the impact of NeuroMuscular Taping on pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain. Maggi L, et al. Neuromuscular taping for chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomized single-blind controlled trial. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2022 May;34(5):1171-1177. doi: 10.1007/s40520-021-02029-0. Epub 2022 Jan 6. PMID: 34988932
- This study aims to identify nursing problems that can be assisted or resolved with neuromuscular taping, and to identify the characteristics of neuromuscular taping interventions in the field of nursing. NMT can be applied for acute pain, chronic pain, impaired physical mobility, impaired walking, fatigue, and risk for unstable blood pressure. Neuromuscular taping application opportunities in nursing: a literature review. Heri Kristianto et al. Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2020, 11(3):143-151. DOI: 10.15452/cejnm.2020.11.0018
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between compression and decompression taping techniques is crucial for effective rehabilitation. Compression taping provides support through a stretched application, while decompression taping, known as NeuroMuscular Taping, aims to enhance muscle elongation, relieve pressure, and enhance fluid dynamics with a non-stretched application. Clear terminology and methodology are essential to avoid misconceptions and improve therapeutic outcomes. The NeuroMuscular Taping Institute continues to promote research and education to refine these techniques and support their integration into rehabilitation programs worldwide.
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