Taping (Kinesio taping, Athletic taping)
Taping is a simple, effective tool physiotherapists use to support injured or overworked muscles and joints, manage swelling, and build confidence in movement during recovery. At Divine Care Physiotherapy in Langley, we offer both Kinesio taping and traditional athletic taping as part of a broader treatment plan, chosen based on your specific injury and goals.
What Is Kinesio Taping?
Kinesio tape is an elastic, stretchy tape developed in the 1970s that’s designed to move with your body rather than restrict it. Once applied, it can typically be worn for three to five days, including while showering or playing sport, since it’s water-resistant. It’s commonly used to support muscles and joints, manage swelling, and encourage better movement patterns without limiting your range of motion.
Kinesio Taping vs. Traditional Athletic Taping
Kinesio tape
Elastic and flexible, designed to support muscles and joints while allowing full, unrestricted movement. Worn for several days at a time.
Traditional athletic tape
Rigid and non-stretch, designed to stabilize or restrict movement at a joint following an injury. Typically applied for a single session or game and removed afterward.
When We Use Taping in Treatment
Taping is often used to support recovery from sports injuries and joint instability, help manage swelling after an injury, provide extra support as you return to activity after an injury, and assist with postural or movement corrections identified during your assessment.
What to Expect
Taping is applied as part of a full physiotherapy assessment, not as a standalone fix. Your physiotherapist will evaluate the affected area, determine whether Kinesio or traditional taping best suits your injury, and apply it alongside the rest of your treatment plan. You’ll also receive guidance on how to care for the tape and when to have it reapplied or removed.
A Note on the Evidence
Taping can be a helpful part of a broader recovery plan, supporting pain relief and movement confidence for many patients. That said, research on kinesio taping’s longer-term effects is still developing, and results can vary by individual and condition. We use taping as one tool among several – combined with manual therapy, exercise, and other treatment approaches – rather than as a treatment on its own.
Who Performs Taping at Divine Care
Our physiotherapy team includes practitioners trained in Kinesiotaping techniques as part of their broader clinical training in sports and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, so taping is applied as an informed part of your overall care.
Book a Taping Assessment in Langley
If you’re dealing with a sports injury, joint instability, or swelling that could benefit from taping support, our Langley team can help. Call (604) 401-2946 or book online to schedule your assessment at D109 – 20159 88 Ave, Thunderbird Village, Langley, BC V1M 0A4.
This information is educational and not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please consult your physiotherapist to determine if taping is appropriate for your condition.