Kinesiotape is a tape invented by Dr. Kenzo Kase. It has been around for approximately 20 years, and has grown in popularity since. Kinesiotaping performs very specific functions, especially for scoliosis patients. They are:

• Taping over and around muscles in order to assist and give support or to prevent over-contraction.
• Applying stretch to the tape or to the target area in order to create space under the skin and create the desired effect on the musculature.
• Affecting change in deeper layers of fascia by manipulating the skin and muscle.
• Creating space underneath the skin to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage.
• Utilizing a number of corrective techniques to promote correct muscle and joint function
• Pain relief by targeting the pain and the source of the pain

The design of the kinesiotape allows for a unidirectional stretch up to 60% past its resting length. The adhesive backing is heat activated acrylic and contains no latex. The tape is also water resistant and withstands sweating and humid environments. This allows the patient to wear the tape for several days at a time, thus providing a lasting clinical effect.

The direction in which the tape is stretched will create either muscle facilitation or inhibition. The tape also provides a constant influx of sensory input into the central nervous system to help retrain postural control. When using kinesiotape on the scoliosis patient, it must be determined clinically which postural muscles are imbalanced, and whether they are currently facilitated or inhibited.

Kinesiotaping is a very powerful adjunct of the ARC3D Concept, due to its ability to provide sustained somatosensory input and thus influence postural control even outside of the clinic.