Hi Kinden
Sorry to hear you’re still having problems.
I’ve had Kinesio taping in the past. It seemed to work best when the strips were thick and put on breast and trunk.
The strips wouldn’t stay on if thin, particularly on my arm and didn’t seem to help much.
Some people on here have posted on here saying they have had excellent results, so I would imagine the effectiveness of the tape can depend on quite a few factors, such as skin type, location of the swelling and how skilled the person applying it is. I also found that for me the highly coloured waterproof tape stayed in position far, far better than the ‘flesh’ colured stuff.
I’ve just found a link to this document and have been having a quick look through it this morning. What a mine of info’! The link is:
ewma.org/fileadmin/user_upload/EWMA/Wound_Guidelines/Lymphoedema_Framework_Best_Practice_for_the_Management_of_Lymphoedema.pdf
The document is dated 2006. On Page 58 it says:
“Lymphoedema taping is an emerging form of treatment for lymphoedema. It involves the application of narrow strips of elastic tape to the affected area, and can be used in combination with compression garments or bandaging. It is thought to improve muscle function and lymph flow and may have a role to play in the treatment of midline and peripheral swelling. However, evidence is lacking of its efficacy in lymphoedema”.
So there you go. Horses for courses, I daresay. It doesn’t mention Kinesio by name, presumably it’s a brand name.
I know what you mean about stress - if I have a bad night’s sleep, I see it in my left arm the next day; I think I must only totally relax when I’m unconscious!
Just getting over my first ever attack of cellulitis…a jolly (not) afternoon spent in A&E with all the injured rugby and soccer players and their well-ticked-off wives and girlfriends. They actually sent me for a doppler scan of my arm, as they suspected a thrombosis.
Great to hear you are otherwise well and nice to see you posting again.
X
S