Taping for lymphoedema – Could it Help You
By Gail Close, Clinical Specialist, Haddenham Healthcare.
Kinesio taping is probably something you heard about, but don’t know
that much about. In that respect you don’t differ from most people.
Kinesio-Tex tape has been around for many years – it was developed
in the 1970’s by a Japanese chiropractor, Dr Kenzo Kase. It started
out as a treatment for muscle injuries and has become widely used in
the sporting arena. Gail first became involved with taping 3 years
ago when she attended an intensive 3 day taping course with an
American specialist, Ruth Coopee. Gail was then working in Belgium
and worked alongside a physiotherapist who specialised in taping for
lymphoedema.
What is Kinesio –tex tape and how does it work? The tape is a
non-medicated, 100% cotton tape with natural elasticity. The tape is
latex free and hypo-allergenic. It works by lifting the top layer of
skin (epidermis) and thereby altering the underlying interstitial
pressure. By doing so, it affects the initial lymphatics, which are
situated in the DERMIS. By pulling the epidermis to which is
attached anchoring fibrils on the outside of initial lymphatics, the
tape opens up the lymphatics and encourages lymph absorption. The
tape is applied in such a way to stretch the skin, in effect
mimicking a massage, the whole time it is adhered.
So if the tape works by lifting and stretching the skin, can we use
it under compression garments or Multi-Layer Lymphoedema Bandaging
(MLLB)? Logic would suggest no, the tape lifts and the garments
compress, so how can they work together? In reality, the tape has
proved itself when used in conjunction with other treatments,
garments and bandages in particular. The question remains about why
this happens; could it be due to the convolutions in the tape and
therefore the massaging effect the tape produces?
The next question is will it work for me? In practice, the taping
technique works better on long standing, fibroid oedemas. Again the
massaging effect comes into play here and helps to soften the tissue
tone, so enhancing the effectiveness of compression garment.
Certain parts of the body seem to respond quicker, for example the
hands, breasts, trunk, head and neck, and the genital area. Some
excellent results have been achieved using the tape on these
traditionally difficult to treat areas. Gail treated a lady who had
breast oedema for seven years following a mastectomy. She applied
kinesio-tex tape to her breast and back and taught her daughter how
to reapply the tape. When reviewed 6 weeks later the breast was much
improved, no oedema and the lady was pain free.
Can I use the tape? Before applying the tape the lymphoedema
therapists have to take a full history before applying tape. A patch
test should also be carried out to rule out allergic reactions. The
tape is designed to stick to the skin and remain in place for four
to seven days. It then sheds as the top layer of skin is shedding.
Kinesio-tex tape is proving to be a useful additional tool in the
management of lymphoedema. It does not take away the need to follow
all other cornerstones of care, rather it works alongside them. For
some people, taping may be the answer you have been looking for and
offers an alternative treatment option. Others may not find the
taping beneficial. It is worth talking to your therapist and
deciding if it is an avenue you want to explore.