What is Equi-Tape?
Equi-Tape is a kinesiology tape specifically designed for use on horses to increase circulation and reduce pain, while also improving proprioceptive awareness. It is a two-way stretch, elastic/cotton tape that contains a wave pattern to allow the tape to breathe while also offering support without restricting range of motion. It does not contain any medications on the tape and the adhesive is latex free.
INdications for Equi-Tape
Muscle Tension or Trigger Points
Muscle Atrophy
Swelling or Stocking Up*
Fascia Restrictions
Joint Problems
Tendon or Ligament Injuries
Proprioception
*Cannot be applied over an area of infection
- Release hypertonic muscles to improve elasticity and function
- Increase circulation to trigger points and adhesions to increase flexibility and reduce pain
Muscle Atrophy
- Reduce atrophy of muscles due to limited exercise, older age or injury
- Encourages activation of specific muscles to improve biomechanics
Swelling or Stocking Up*
- Increase circulation to speed in healing and move through natural inflammatory phases of healing quicker
- Reduce lymphedema and increase lymph circulation
Fascia Restrictions
- Release tension and adhesions in specific bands of fascia or through fascial trains
Joint Problems
- Support joints to reduce pain and encourage proper joint function
- Increase circulation to speed in healing or maintain joint health
- Does not restrict natural joint motion
Tendon or Ligament Injuries
- Support tendons and ligaments (especially in the distal limb) during exercise to reduce the risk of injury
- Increase circulation to speed in healing
Proprioception
- Stimulates receptors in the skin to improve muscles and neural awareness
*Cannot be applied over an area of infection
Techniques of Equi-Taping
Muscle Activation
Taped from muscle origin to insertion to encourage the muscle’s natural recoil
to assist overworked or atrophied muscles
This application is typically worn while the horse continues training
Muscle Relaxation
Taped from muscle insertion to origin to help reduce tension in the muscle and relieve hypertonicity
This application pairs well after a massage to continue further muscle relaxation
Decompression
Increases circulation in a specific location to create a decompression affect in the
surrounding skin, fascia and superficial muscle tissues
This application can be applied over trigger points, acupoints or localized swelling
Support
Acts to support and protect joints, tendons and ligaments without restricting the natural range of motion
Circulation
Applied in a basket weave pattern to increase circulation over a large grid to
reduce swelling and reduce pressure on pain receptors
Fascia Release
Applied in a stretch-and-release pattern to reposition fascia and release tension
Taped from muscle origin to insertion to encourage the muscle’s natural recoil
to assist overworked or atrophied muscles
This application is typically worn while the horse continues training
Muscle Relaxation
Taped from muscle insertion to origin to help reduce tension in the muscle and relieve hypertonicity
This application pairs well after a massage to continue further muscle relaxation
Decompression
Increases circulation in a specific location to create a decompression affect in the
surrounding skin, fascia and superficial muscle tissues
This application can be applied over trigger points, acupoints or localized swelling
Support
Acts to support and protect joints, tendons and ligaments without restricting the natural range of motion
Circulation
Applied in a basket weave pattern to increase circulation over a large grid to
reduce swelling and reduce pressure on pain receptors
Fascia Release
Applied in a stretch-and-release pattern to reposition fascia and release tension
Clinical applications
Equi-tape creates a decompression affect by lifting the hair and skin to decompress vascular channels, this alters fluid dynamics of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. It restores a normal circulation of blood in the case of poor venous return or ischemic blood flow. Lymph drainage is improved, helping to reduce lymphedema or "stocking up" in the distal limbs.
The tape also stimulates nervous system receptors to improve proprioception and reduces pain by decompressing the pressure on pain receptors
Tense muscle fascia can be relaxed, with both superficial and deep fascia being affected due to a cascading effect of applying pressure to the surface with the pressure "cascading" deeper into the body.
Kinesiotape reduces muscle tension and can also release trigger points, which are small bands of hypertonic muscle. Entire muscle bellies can also be stimulated to reduce the chronic contraction of these muscles (hypertonicity) and decrease pain.
Muscle atrophy can be decreased to maintain muscle tone and function in older horses, horses with poor topline condition or horses that have sustained an injury preventing a muscle from functioning normally.
The tape also stimulates nervous system receptors to improve proprioception and reduces pain by decompressing the pressure on pain receptors
Tense muscle fascia can be relaxed, with both superficial and deep fascia being affected due to a cascading effect of applying pressure to the surface with the pressure "cascading" deeper into the body.
Kinesiotape reduces muscle tension and can also release trigger points, which are small bands of hypertonic muscle. Entire muscle bellies can also be stimulated to reduce the chronic contraction of these muscles (hypertonicity) and decrease pain.
Muscle atrophy can be decreased to maintain muscle tone and function in older horses, horses with poor topline condition or horses that have sustained an injury preventing a muscle from functioning normally.
Mechanisim of action
Kinesiotape stimulates mechanoreceptors and afferent nerves in the skin to increase proprioceptive awareness (sense of one’s body position due to internal stimuli) and impact joint positioning
There is a reduction in pain as the tape stimulates neuro receptors in the skin (due to counterirritant effect)
The autonomic nervous system, regulated by the hypothalamus, is affected by kinesiotape to decrease the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for functions like heart rate, respiration rate and digestion. Blood pressure is also reduced due to an increase in prostaglandin production which dilates peripheral blood vessels.
It supports weakened muscles around joints to prevent further injury by influencing the Golgi tendon organs (to prevent muscle overloading and overstretching) and muscle spindle fibers (to maintain muscle tone and provide proprioception signals)
Reduces hypertonic muscles by increasing the circulation of oxygen and nutrients to muscles and reducing the pressure on pain receptors
Tape helps to decompress the skin and fascia to improve lymphatic drainage in the epidermis to reduce minor swelling and edema
Fascia release applications help to reduce stiffness and decreases the number of collagen cross-links which limit flexibility and joint range of motion, allowing fascia to move more easily and reduce tension on surrounding muscles.
Atrophied muscles are unable to contract and by stimulating these muscles with an activation tape, the peripheral nerves are stimulated and cause an action potential to create the conformation shift of tropomyosin after binding to the calcium ions released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This shift allows actin filaments to bind with myosin filaments, causing the muscle to contract and maintain muscle strength and function.
There is a reduction in pain as the tape stimulates neuro receptors in the skin (due to counterirritant effect)
The autonomic nervous system, regulated by the hypothalamus, is affected by kinesiotape to decrease the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and increase the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for functions like heart rate, respiration rate and digestion. Blood pressure is also reduced due to an increase in prostaglandin production which dilates peripheral blood vessels.
It supports weakened muscles around joints to prevent further injury by influencing the Golgi tendon organs (to prevent muscle overloading and overstretching) and muscle spindle fibers (to maintain muscle tone and provide proprioception signals)
Reduces hypertonic muscles by increasing the circulation of oxygen and nutrients to muscles and reducing the pressure on pain receptors
Tape helps to decompress the skin and fascia to improve lymphatic drainage in the epidermis to reduce minor swelling and edema
Fascia release applications help to reduce stiffness and decreases the number of collagen cross-links which limit flexibility and joint range of motion, allowing fascia to move more easily and reduce tension on surrounding muscles.
Atrophied muscles are unable to contract and by stimulating these muscles with an activation tape, the peripheral nerves are stimulated and cause an action potential to create the conformation shift of tropomyosin after binding to the calcium ions released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This shift allows actin filaments to bind with myosin filaments, causing the muscle to contract and maintain muscle strength and function.
Resources:
1. Acrylic-Based Adhesives. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.adhesivesresearch.com/technologies/chemistries/acrylic-based-adhesives/
2. Drouin, J., McAlpine, C., Primak, K., & Kissel, J. (2013). The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: A literature synthesis. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 57(4), 356-365.
3. Equi-Tape. (2015). Equi-Taping Practitioners Certification Course Workbook. Equi-Taping Practitioners Certification Course Workbook.
4. Firth, B., Dingley, P., Davies, E., Lewis, J., & Alexander, C. (2010). The Effect of Kinesiotape on Function, Pain, and Motoneuronal Excitability in Healthy People and People With Achilles Tendinopathy. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 20(6), 416-421.
5. Kinesiology Tape Instructions. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.kttape.com/instructions/.
6. Kinesiology Taping Guide. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjABahUKEwiYwdyK9uPHAhUXEZIKHZDcDKY&url=http://www.researchgate.net/publictopics.PublicPostFileLoader.html?id=559b85bb5cd9e31e798b4569&key=3ae5e342-605d-466d-8666-a5e.
7. Larsen, A. (n.d.). Kinesio Tape: What Is It and What’s the Hype? Retrieved from http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/kinesio-tape-what-is-it-and-what-s-the-hype
8. Pelosin, E., Avanzino, L., Marchese, R., Stramesi, P., Bilanci, M., Trompetto, C., & Abbruzzese, G. (2013). KinesioTaping Reduces Pain and Modulates Sensory Function in Patients With Focal Dystonia: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 28(8), 722-731.
9. Taylor, R., O'brien, L., & Brown, T. (2014). A scoping review of the use of elastic therapeutic tape for neck or upper extremity conditions. Journal of Hand Therapy, 235-246.
10. Wilson, B., & Bialocerkowski, A. (2015). The Effects of Kinesiotape Applied to the Lateral Aspect of the Ankle: Relevance to Ankle Sprains – A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE PLOS ONE, 10(6), 1-21.
11. Yoshida, A., & Kahanov, L. (2007). The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Lower Trunk Range of Motions. GSPM Res. in Sports Med. Research in Sports Medicine, 15(2), 103-112.
1. Acrylic-Based Adhesives. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.adhesivesresearch.com/technologies/chemistries/acrylic-based-adhesives/
2. Drouin, J., McAlpine, C., Primak, K., & Kissel, J. (2013). The effects of kinesiotape on athletic-based performance outcomes in healthy, active individuals: A literature synthesis. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 57(4), 356-365.
3. Equi-Tape. (2015). Equi-Taping Practitioners Certification Course Workbook. Equi-Taping Practitioners Certification Course Workbook.
4. Firth, B., Dingley, P., Davies, E., Lewis, J., & Alexander, C. (2010). The Effect of Kinesiotape on Function, Pain, and Motoneuronal Excitability in Healthy People and People With Achilles Tendinopathy. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 20(6), 416-421.
5. Kinesiology Tape Instructions. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.kttape.com/instructions/.
6. Kinesiology Taping Guide. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjABahUKEwiYwdyK9uPHAhUXEZIKHZDcDKY&url=http://www.researchgate.net/publictopics.PublicPostFileLoader.html?id=559b85bb5cd9e31e798b4569&key=3ae5e342-605d-466d-8666-a5e.
7. Larsen, A. (n.d.). Kinesio Tape: What Is It and What’s the Hype? Retrieved from http://breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/kinesio-tape-what-is-it-and-what-s-the-hype
8. Pelosin, E., Avanzino, L., Marchese, R., Stramesi, P., Bilanci, M., Trompetto, C., & Abbruzzese, G. (2013). KinesioTaping Reduces Pain and Modulates Sensory Function in Patients With Focal Dystonia: A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 28(8), 722-731.
9. Taylor, R., O'brien, L., & Brown, T. (2014). A scoping review of the use of elastic therapeutic tape for neck or upper extremity conditions. Journal of Hand Therapy, 235-246.
10. Wilson, B., & Bialocerkowski, A. (2015). The Effects of Kinesiotape Applied to the Lateral Aspect of the Ankle: Relevance to Ankle Sprains – A Systematic Review. PLoS ONE PLOS ONE, 10(6), 1-21.
11. Yoshida, A., & Kahanov, L. (2007). The Effect of Kinesio Taping on Lower Trunk Range of Motions. GSPM Res. in Sports Med. Research in Sports Medicine, 15(2), 103-112.