Kinesiology Taping
Taping is an essential technique that can assist in dog rehabilitation, offering various benefits such as pain reduction, swelling management, improved joint range of motion, and maintained muscle function. Animal Axis can help you with taping your dog, using RockTape—a brand designed specifically for animals.
How Kinesiology Taping Can Assist Your Dog
Kinesiology taping aids in a dog’s rehabilitation process, helping their body return to homeostasis. This natural method assists in reducing pain and inflammation, while also promoting proper movement and proprioception. Unlike other athletic tapes, kinesiology tape stretches along its longitudinal axis, allowing unrestricted range of motion during application. It decompresses the skin and underlying tissues, improving blood and lymph flow, and relieving pressure from nerve endings decreasing the sensation of pain. Taping offers dynamic support of the muscles and joints that may be suffering from instability due to hyper or hypotonicity.
How The Session Works
Kinesiology taping sessions for dogs involve specific techniques and applications of kinesiology tape and is a modality that can be beneficial when used in conjunction with other therapies such as Myofunctional Therapy.
Here’s a general overview of what happens during a session:
Evaluation: We will assess the dog’s condition and identify the area that needs taping, considering factors like movement and pain.
Skin Preparation: The practitioner cleans and dries the area to be taped to ensure proper adhesion and minimise skin irritation.
Tape Application: The kinesiology tape is cut to the appropriate size and shape, applying it with the desired tension and technique. The specific method may vary based on the purpose, such as providing support or pain relief.
Monitoring Response: We observe your dog’s response during and after the tape application, looking for improved movement, reduced pain, or enhanced function.
Follow-Up Care: We provide instructions on tape care and duration of use.
When Taping is Beneficial
Kinesiology Taping can be beneficial for knee-related injuries, back pain, hind end weakness (due to conditions like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), spina bifida, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) or arthritis), and post-surgical swelling. By addressing these musculoskeletal issues, taping can improve functionality and comfort in dogs.
Use of RockTape
At Animal Axis we use high-quality Kinesiology Tape, specifically RockTape, which offers superior adhesion and durability. This tape is waterproof and employs an acrylic, latex-free, hypoallergenic medical adhesive. While Animal Axis utilises RockTape, we are not affiliated with the brand, instead, we select it for its exceptional performance.
Kinesiology Taping
Taping plays a vital role in supporting dogs’ rehabilitation by reducing pain, managing swelling, improving range of motion, and maintaining muscle function. By using RockTape, a tape designed for animals and by applying effective taping techniques we are able to aid in your dog’s recovery.