With all the restrictions surrounding pain management during pregnancy, it’s almost certain that you have come across the kinesiology tape alternative for helping with lower back pain. It seems like a very tempting option, considering kinesiology tape is on top of your skin. As with any new treatments, you may have concerns over how safe it is to use while in pregnancy.
First and foremost, we have to ask what kinesiology tape is, and why it’s even being considered in the first place! Kinesiology tape is typically used by athletes as a stretchy and long-lasting alternative to traditional athletic tape. It is made out of a cloth-based material that stretches and moves with the body, a big change from its very rigid and inflexible counterpart. It is typically applied to an injury like an inflamed muscle to lift the skin slightly away and allow for the muscle to have room to move more normally, having the added benefit of reducing pressure on the pain receptors in the skin and providing some level of instant relief. It has also been used in a supportive function where movement is still necessary.
One can see why this might be useful for someone in pregnancy! It is a completely drug-free alternative that can be used to help many symptoms, including back pain, swollen feet, sciatica, carpal tunnel, and other general aches and pains. It is good to be strategic with your tape placement, and placing them in several spots on the back and abdomen can help to distribute some of the added weight and pressure.
So good news! Well, mostly. You see, some people might be unable to use kinesiology tape for different reasons, which may be unrelated to pregnancy and it’s very important to keep these in mind when considering kinesiology tape as a possible method for managing pregnancy pain.
- Sensitivity: There are some people who are just simply too sensitive to effectively wear kinesiology tape, as it may cause skin irritation due to friction. A “pins and needles” sensation or numbness may also indicate this issue. If this is your main issue, there are some specialized tapes for sensitive users, but it may be best to just stay away from it to avoid continued skin damage. Raw skin may result in a higher risk of infection, which is especially not ideal when pregnant.
- Allergies: While rare, some people are allergic to the adhesives used in kinesiology tape and will develop redness or blistering when worn for a short period of time. Make sure you closely monitor your skin after the first application and remove it immediately if this occurs.
- Scarring or sunburns: Areas where the skin is weaker is never a good idea to apply tape, as the tape naturally provides tension and could result in aggravating the skin further. Chemicals in the adhesives could cause a multitude of issues when introduced into the body.
- Active eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis: Similar to the above point, this is a point where the skin has a natural affinity to open up and introduce chemicals into the body.
- Circulatory issues: Due to the compressive nature of kinesiology tape, tape may worsen existing issues regarding circulation in certain situations, potentially restricting circulation even more depending on placement.
While these warnings may seem scary, the reality is that this only affects a relatively small portion of the population, and most healthy adult females are able to use kinesiology tape without concern. This is the same set of warnings that would be given to anyone, with no regard for if the user is pregnant or not. For the vast majority of users, kinesiology tape is a safe method of therapy, which may be helpful in reducing pain and adding some much needed support.
It should be mentioned, however, that the use of kinesiology tape is never the whole solution. It always works best when used in conjunction with other techniques for pain management, especially physical therapy exercises. When completing these exercises, kinesiology tape can be used as a guide for proper form and posture, giving you subtle cues through tension when applied appropriately.
Appropriately is the keyword here, as there are many ways to apply kinesiology tape, which provide less than optimal benefits. If you are just starting out and are very new to kinesiology taping, it is worth talking to your physical therapist for ideas on how taping can best help you, and getting instruction on proper application. Bring a phone or camera along with you to your session to have video documentation on how to properly apply kinesiology tape. That way, you can mimic their application to achieve the most optimal results.
Once you get a handle for the basic techniques, feel free to experiment! There are many ways you can use kinesiology tape to help you, and plenty of references online which allow you to get new ideas. Kinesiology taping is still a fairly new field, and if you find something that helps you, feel free to share your thoughts and discoveries with the community!
Author’s Bio
Colin Hegarty is a content writer for BreezeMaxWeb that helps businesses showcase their brand through enticing copy. When he’s not working, you can find him playing net in a local beer league or biking around the city.
