NorthStar Therapeutics
Post Office Box 313
Prescott, Wisconsin 54021
Phone: (715) 262-8400
Fax: (715) 262-8412
Comments from Clinicians
Kim Rock- Stockheimer, MS OTR/L Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor and Certified in Manual Lymphatic Treatment
Kinesio tape is very useful in the treatment of chronic swelling and
lymphedema. Proper application alleviates pain and facilitates
lymphatic drainage by
structurally lifting the skin in the affected area. Thereby, increasing
the space in which lymphatic fluid flows and decreasing pressure and
irritation of neural/ sensory receptors.
Kinesio tape does not
substitute for decongestive massage or manual
lymphatic treatment, medical
compressive bandaging, compressive garments,
positional consideration,
and/or exercise.
Kinesio taping can augment the
current treatment of acute or chronic
edemas by opening up lymphatic pathways to allow for lymphatic flow even
when the
patient is not in a therapy
session. In other words, Kinesio Tape may help
to accelerate the reduction.
Ms. Rock-Stockheimer speaks for Keep Pace on the topics of Lymphedema
Kinesio Taping and Upper Extremity Kinesio Tapingand is
available for private trainings.
DeDe
Wanzek, LPT, Certified Kinesio Taping® Instructor (Executive Director of a Pediatric
Practice)
In response to the question of how to keep the tape on CP children
who sweat - a therapist was wondering about a skin prep. The only skin
prep we use is maalox. It works great and is cheaper than anything else
I know of. However, I had trouble keeping the tape on until I started
using a different method to apply the tape. Instead of rolling it back
from the end, I break the paper about one half to one inch from the end.
Then as I place the tape on I pull that end piece off so I never touch
the end. Kids wiggle around so much that I was finding that I was
touching the end so much that it just would not stay on. This method has
worked great and the tape stays on. Also rounding the edges is a must,
whenever I forget to do this the tape starts rolling off. Also we do not
use water proof tape. We use the regular tape and the kids even go in the
water with it and get along fine.
DeDe Wanzek also answers these frequently asked questions:
Question--Is there anything that can be used when a child has a
tendency to develop a rash from the tape? If the rash develops
when a child is on an antibiotic or another new medication it is wise to
discontinue tape usage until the child is healthy again. If the
rash is persistent, then putting a light layer of benedryl gel or maalox
on the skin before applying the tape can be very effective in reducing
the chance of the rash developing. Make sure to let the gel or
maalox dry before applying the tape.
Question--I have tried the benedryl gel and
maalox, but my child still develops a rash. Is there anything else
I can do? Try using the tape for a shorter period of time.The tape can be effective if only on for a few hours. Be sure to
inform the caregiver of when you would like the tape taken off.
Monitor how the skin does. If rash persists, discontinue use.
Ms.
Wanzek speaks for Keep Pace on the topic of Pediatric Kinesio Taping and
is available for private trainings.
Jan Albrecht, OTR, CHT, Experienced Kinesio Taping® Clinician
Since becoming familiar with the theory and techniques for the
application of Kinesio® Tape, I have enjoyed many successes with the
patients I treat as an on-call hand
therapist. Patients report pain relief and greater confidence in managing
their own symptoms even after the first trial application. The properties
of the tape are ideal for the gentle treatment of soft tissue in order to
decrease inflammation and swelling, as well as to facilitate or inhibit
muscles. By using it for postural correction, it has resulted in pain
relief for patients with fibromyalgia or regional pain syndrome, sometimes
for the first time in years. The application I learned for the treatment
of deQuervainne's Tenosynovitis is popular with patients as it provides
relief from thumb spica splints, either custom or prefabricated, and seems
to hasten a resolution of symptoms. I designed a modification of that
application to provide thumb rotation and facilitate the Abductor Policis
Longus. Patients with pain at the base of the thumb report almost instant
pain relief, due to a restoration of more normal thumb biomechanics. I
feel fortunate to be on the forefront of a new treatment modality that
invites experimentation and research.
Ruth Coopee, OTR, CHT, MLD, CDT, & Certified Kinesio Taping®
Instructor
Over the past 18 years I have
studied a variety of indirect therapy techniques and found them to be more
effective than the methods learned in school. The effectiveness of Kinesio®
Taping in decreasing pain has significantly impacted my treatment. Often
following an evaluation I will apply the tape to help ease the patients
pain. Since this is our first contact it has become an important tool in
gaining trust and establishing intent. It still amazes me how quickly it
can reduce or eliminate pain, soften indurated tissue or ease a muscle
spasm. With insurance companies reducing the amount of time and duration
of treatment it is effective in reducing the number of treatments and
helping to improve patient follow through on home programs. The tape
remains in place for up to four days and it is a 24-hour therapy
assistant. I have been using Kinesio® Tape since it first arrived in the
United States. It wasn't until I met and studied with Dr. Kase that the
complexity and possibilities of its applications became clear.
Understanding the logistics of this treatment technique heightened my
ability to peel back the layers of symptoms to find the cause of the
pathology. Once you target, you can help heal. That is why where you tape
one day may not be where you tape the next. Kinesio Taping has
revolutionized my effectiveness in treatment and reinforced my belief in a
whole body approach that views fascia as the key.
Tracey Edblom OTR/CHT
I have been using Kinesio Tape
since I was introduced to it in 1994.In the past few years my use of the
tape has increased and continued to change and grow. It has added yet
another creative tool to my clinical bag of tricks. Being able to augment
the treatment I give in the clinic has enhanced my ability to reach
optimal outcomes in a shorter period of time. I use Kinesio Tape in my
practice on almost all of my patients at one time or another in their
healing phases, maybe controlling sensory input to change the behavior of
a repetitive strain patient, or helping a post-operative patient manage
their edema, or manage their scar formation and fascial dynamics. In all
the different and creative ways that I am able to use Kinesio Tape, the
universal response from the patient is gratitude. I have seen patients
with neuritis come into the office with pain at 8/10 and less than 30
minutes later report their pain to be 2/10.I have seen burn patients
remodel their scar tissue, improve the color, circulation and texture of
their scars so much they actually avoided subsequent planned surgeries.
I've had patients and physicians ask “What did you do to that scar? How
did it change so fast? Where did it go?”" I love explaining those
cases. Essentially, Kinesio Tape has made me a better therapist; better at
targeting problems, better at teaching clients to understand how to help
themselves.
George Stribling, D.C., CCSP, Certified Kinesio Taping® Instructor
I've been in practice 20
years. In looking back over the years, I am certain most if not all of us
wonder or try to grasp what one thing have I worked with or come upon,
which has had the single most dramatic impact on my practice, and the
results my personal professional career. It is likely hard to put your
finger on "it", very possibly there are a few things. As for me,
Kinesio Taping, ranks right up there. I can say without question, the
scope of my practice has changed and expanded dramatically since my
involvement with Kinesio Taping. In a typical Chiropractic setting, you
know... the athletic injuries, auto accident injury, the
recovery from back or hip surgery, slips and falls, and of course
herniated discs. I have treated with many high caliber athletes, track and
field, swimming complaints, and many others. Besides the subluxation, do
they or do they not have one very important characteristic....Absolutely!
..Soft tissue involvement. Be it acute or chronic, KinesioTaping expands
your ability to address myofascial involvement and reach optimum recovery
or performance in your practice. I have far more success in treating
chronic subluxed shoulders, patellar difficulties. groin injury, ankle and
calf injury or weakness. Taping a patient in addition to adjustments
extends the effect of your treatment by 3 to 5+ days. The taping when
applied properly will continue to have its intended effect on reducing
inflammation, strengthening tissue or securing joint positioning longer
than usual care. It is important for the beginning student to learn proper
application and concept. I was lucky enough to learn firsthand from the
founder/inventor of Kinesio Taping, Dr. Kase. He practiced in my hometown,
Albuquerque N.M. and I am the first Chiropractor to practice Kinesio
Taping. I encourage you to consider this therapeutic approach in your
practice today, and feel strongly you will gain years of referrals from
the success in Kinesio Taping. Get into this and use it today, I do every
day.
If you do not wish to place your order online you may download a printable order form and fax or mail your order to us. Download Order Form.