Origin in Japan

 " The history of kinesiology taping can be traced back to its origins in Japan in the 1970s."

Source: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/oktape/oktape-6211/

OKTAPE's kinesiology tape is loved by a wide range of people, from professional athletes to general fitness enthusiasts.

[Improved Sports Performance]: Proper use of the tape improves muscle support and stability, leading to improved performance. For athletes, it is an important tool for maximizing performance during competition.

[Pain Reduction and Accelerated Recovery]: Kinesiology tape has the effect of reducing muscle and joint pain and accelerating recovery. This reduces pain during daily life and training, supporting faster recovery.
*Kinesio tape may be used to assist in treatment, but it is not a medicine or medical device. Please be careful.

[Daily Support]: Modern lifestyles, such as long hours of desk work or standing work, often put a strain on the body. Kinesiology tape is also effective as support during these daily activities.


[Does not hinder natural movement]: Kinesiology tape works in conjunction with skin movement and does not hinder natural movement. This provides support while maintaining freedom of movement during daily life and exercise.

[Support for Beauty and Health]: Kinesiology tape improves lymphatic flow and is effective in reducing swelling and cellulite. It is also popular as a tool to achieve both beauty and health.

[About OKTAPE]
OKTAPE is a global brand established in the United States in 2013 and highly regarded in the fields of rehabilitation medicine and sports medicine. Since its establishment, the brand has pursued superior quality and functionality and has been supported by many people, from professionals to general users.
In particular, its products, including kinesiology tape and adhesive bandages, are widely used in sports and medical fields and have received praise from satisfied customers around the world.
OKTAPE will continue to evolve and provide products that support rehabilitation and the improvement of sports performance.

Source: https://www.kinesiotaping.jp/about_association/ryouhou/

What is Kinesio Taping Therapy?

The Birth of Kinesio Taping

Around the time Dr. Kase was beginning to question Western medicine, he heard about "hypotherapy," a treatment that was proving effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
This therapy uses tape to restore deformed joints to their original shape.
This is the complete opposite of the prevailing theory that once a joint is deformed, it cannot be restored to its original state.

Kase DC took notice of that.

I immediately ordered sports tape from the United States and decided to try it out.
However, no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't get good results. This is where my research began.

It was a process of trial and error to figure out what to do. And finally, I discovered that the cause of the illness lay in the muscles. I then devised a method of applying the tape along the muscle, rather than fixing it in place. Conventional sports taping was conventionally about rigidly fixing the joints. I first focused on the opposite theory, and then devised an even more opposite method.
As a result, the pain that had been present before was reduced or even disappeared on the spot.

Development of KinesioTex

Muscles that have been stretched too much or contracted too much due to injury or other reasons lose the ability to stretch and contract as healthy muscles do.

To support these muscles, we needed to develop a tape with the same elasticity as healthy muscles. Furthermore, since the adhesive tape adheres tightly to the skin, minimizing any unpleasant effects on the skin was a crucial consideration. Research and development focused not only on functionality but also on being gentle on the skin continued for two years.

Through repeated improvements to adhesives and breathability, KinesioTex was finally created, capable of lifting the skin by approximately 10 microns, a rate of stretch close to that of human muscles. Thus, KinesioTex is a tape born from kinesiology (the science of motor function therapy).

History of Kinesio Taping

1980	Kase Chiropractic Institute opened in Kojimachi, Tokyo. Developed the Kinesio Taping Method. It has gained popularity, mainly in the medical field, and is attracting attention as a form of therapy. Named the Kinesio Taping-specific tape "Kinesio Tex".
1983	The Kase Chiropractic Research Institute, a kinesiology (physical function) research institute and chiropractic clinic , was incorporated as "Ken-i-kai Co., Ltd." Kinesio Taping Method was widely introduced through seminars and other events.
1984	The "National Kinesio Taping Association" was established with the aim of promoting the Kinesio Taping method.
1985	Established "Kinesio Co., Ltd." as a sales company for Kinesio Tex. Held seminars and lectures throughout Japan. Held the 1st Kinesio Taping Clinical Research Presentation.
1986	Attracting attention overseas in the United States, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries, Kinesio Taping seminars are held in Chicago, San Diego, and other locations.
1988	At the Seoul Olympics, the Japanese women's volleyball team officially adopted the "Kinesio Taping Method." Kinesio Taping trainers accompanied the team, achieving significant results. The "Kinesio Taping Method" and "Kinesio Tex" became widespread in the sports industry. "Kinesio Tex" was released in pharmacies and sports stores nationwide. A new applied cryotherapy (cooling therapy) was devised.
1990	The invention of muscle slackening (relaxation therapy)
1991	Kinesio taping method seminars and workshops organized by local governments and boards of education have begun.
1994	Kinesio Taping and Kinesio Tex are becoming widespread in the Asia-Oceania region.
1995	Invited by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), he provides instruction on the Kinesio Taping method to professional trainers in Major League Baseball, professional football, and other sports.
1996	Spoke at the General Assembly of the National Association of Professional Athletic Trainers "Kinesio Taping Method" and "Kinesio Tex" become widespread in the European region.
1997	Kinesio USA, a local subsidiary, was established. Kinesio taping theory gained recognition at the spring training camps of seven Major League Baseball teams.
1998	KinesioTex Cut Type Released; Blister Packs Available in Various Sizes "Kinesio Taping Method" and "KinesioTex" Spread in Central and South America
1999	The 15th Anniversary Kinesio Taping Clinical Research Presentation World Conference Held Academic researchers from the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Taiwan, and South Korea came to Japan to present their research.
2000	"KinesioTex" is certified as a quasi-drug in South Korea. It is featured in the Journal of Physical Therapy.
2001	Accreditation for handling US senior care insurance (obtaining a Medicare code, the US government's health insurance program)
2003	The application of kinesiology taping to horses is beginning on a trial basis.
2007	The Kinesio Taping Association has incorporated as a limited liability intermediate corporation, "Kinesio Taping Association."
2008	The "Kinesio Taping Therapy Society" was established, and academic research presentations began. The "Kinesio Taping Association International (KTAI)" was established in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), and with the globalization of kinesio taping, the headquarters of the Kinesio Taping Association moved to the United States. The Beijing Olympics were held, and athletes from various countries used kinesio taping, which was covered by the media.
2009	The organization changed its name to "Kinesio Taping Association, General Incorporated Association." It participated in the Kentucky Derby (the first leg of the American Triple Crown, the most prestigious race for three-year-old colts held at a racetrack in Kentucky). The Kinesio Taping method was introduced.
2010	KinesioTex's "FunCut" and "PreCut" products, supporting the Winter Olympic ski and snowboard teams in the United States, will be launched . The KTAI-sponsored International Kinesio Taping Symposium will be held in Rome, Italy.
2011	The "Epidermal, Dermal, and Fascial Taping Method (EDF)" of Kinesio Taping was invented. Currently known as "Kinesio Medical Taping"
2012	KinesioTex Gold FP, a tape specifically for the Epidermal, Dermal, and Fascial Taping (EDF) method, is launched. The London Olympics are held. Kinesio Taping is adopted as a subject in the curriculum for US Olympic Association certified trainers. The KTAI-sponsored International Kinesio Taping Symposium is held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Dr. Klein presents research on the effects of Epidermal, Dermal, and Fascial Taping (EDF) on postoperative pain and edema.
2014	Sochi Olympics held (Russia): Kinesio taping trainers dispatched to the athletes' village Russian kinesio taping instructors play an active role as Olympic trainers; "Kinesio Tex Equine," a kinesio taping product specifically for horses, is released.
2015	KTAI held its 30th anniversary International Kinesio Taping Symposium in Japan. Kinesio University established in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA). The main purpose of Kinesio University is to conduct academic research on kinesio taping methods in cooperation with other universities and medical institutions.
2016	Rio Olympics held (Brazil): Kinesio taping instructors play an active role as Olympic trainers.
2017	KTAI hosted the International Kinesio Taping Symposium in Hawaii.
2018	Kinesio China (China) was established.
2019	Kinesio China (China) is holding seminars in various locations throughout China, as well as in hospitals, universities, and sports gyms in Mongolia.
2020	A book on kinesiology taping methods specifically for dogs, "Kinesio Taping Method for Dog Lovers," and a special tape for dogs, "Kinesio Tape for Dogs," have been released.

This diagram illustrates the mechanism of kinesiology tape on skin and muscle tissues.

Source: https://www.kinesiotaping.jp/about_association/ryouhou/

Before Application (Left): Shows skin and underlying tissues in a compressed state, which can limit blood flow and cause pain.
After Application (Right): Demonstrates how the tape lifts the skin, creating space between the skin and muscle layers.
Benefits: This lifting action is designed to improve blood and lymphatic circulation and reduce pressure on pain receptors.

Translation
Sender: [Japanese to English]
使用前の状態: State before use
使用後の状態: State after use
皮膚を持ち上げる: Lift the skin
痛みが和らぐ: Pain is relieved
キネシオテックス: Kinesiology tape
血液の流れ: Blood flow
筋肉: Muscle
※このイラストはイメージです。効果・効能には個人差があります。