Have you ever hit your shin and felt better after rubbing it? Similarly, functional tape on the skin can interfere with painful signals, which are directed to the brain. Kinesiotape is used for tissue decompression, which relieves pressure from free nerve endings found in the skin thereby changing the pain perception to the brain. When the signals arriving to the brain are altered, it does not produce the sensation of pain rather, it acts as a changed perception of pain often time minimizing acute and traumatic symptoms. Unlike conventional taping which prevents movement, functional taping allows full movement and range of motion of a taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, functional tape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones minimizing effects of pain.
