Taping for Lymphatics
Lymphatic taping can help reduce oedema and scarring, soften fibrosis and ease pain around the clock.
What is Lymphatic Taping ?
Since it’s beginning in 1978 and subsequent explosion during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Medical Taping Concept (otherwise known as kinesiology taping) has branched into various applications, including lymphatic taping. Studies have confirmed that lymphatic taping continues to quell pain and channel lymph fluid for the entire time that the tape is on the skin. As the tape can be left on for days, it’s no wonder the results can be so amazing. BOOK NOW
How Does Lymphatic Taping Work to Reduce Swelling and Remove Toxins ?
The magic is in the skin convolutions created by the tape which vary the tissue pressure, giving a similar effect to manual lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic taping essentially creates ‘gutters’ of higher and lower pressure in your tissue which help to drain away excess fluid and encourage regeneration of lymph vessels. During exercise, the lymphatic tape enhances fascial movement under the skin which helps to stimulate the pumping of the lymph vessels and speed the draining process. BOOK NOW
Lymphatic Taping Reduces Pain and Inflammation.
As excess fluids and toxins are drained away, so too are inflammatory mediators, which register pain. Therefore, the less inflammatory mediators that are present in the tissue, the less we feel pain. Also, our brains are said only to be able to register one sensation at a time. When we feel the support of the tape, the pain can disappear !
Also, the raised corrugations of the tape reduce the pressure of oedema on the nerve endings and blood vessels. So the pain-quelling effect can be felt instantly as the lymph tape goes on. BOOK NOW
Lymph Taping for Scars
Excitingly, lymphatic taping has revolutionised the treatment of scarring, fibrosis and axillary web syndrome. This is great news for new and mature scars alike. Scar tissue can become hard and raised. As the tape 'stresses' scar tissue, macrophage activity is stimulated which breaks down and softens hypertrophic or keiloid formations in the skin. At the same time the tape supports the skin which prevents excessive collagen build-up giving a softer, smoother, flatter result.
Lymphatic Taping and Lymphoedema, Lipoedema and Venous Insufficiency
Although not considered a replacement for combined decongestive therapy, lymphatic taping is a welcome adjunct in the maintenance phase of lymphoedema management. In situations where compression garments are too hot or cumbersome, light-weight lymphatic taping allows more freedom of movement and ventilation whilst maintaining stimulation and a degree of support. Playing sports, swimming and long flights are examples of situations where lymphatic taping can be used as an effective temporary measure for providing support, pain relief and stimulate lymphatics.
Taping can also be used in combination with compression garments. For example, we can tape from the top of a full length compression stocking into a healthy axillary node area. You can even combine taping for lymph flow with the treatment of scar tissue, as in the case of mastectomy scarring with secondary lymphoedema of the arm. Using specialised techniques the possibilities are endless.
Lymph taping – a useful adjunct to lymphoedema maintenance.
Other Indications for Lymphatic Taping
Thanks to the properties of lymph tape, new applications are being discovered all the time. Here are some, to name but a few:
- post surgery bruising
- sinusitis
- ear infections
- snoring
- asthma
- nausea during chemotherapy
- wound healing
- lumbar pain
When Should I Avoid Lymphatic Taping ?
You should absolutely avoid taping in the case of:
- Oedema (or swelling) caused by cardiac or renal conditions
- You’re not trained to do taping
You should be cautious in the case of:
- Thrombosis
- Wounds
- Oedema of vascular origin
- Carcinomas
- Allergy to adhesive
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes / diabetic foot