Elastic Therapeutic Tape in the Facial Region: Perspective

Recently, I was asked to comment on a picture where elastic therapeutic tape was applied on the face. I immediately noticed the facial taping strategy was listed as “The taping strategy for facial paralysis”. I could understand why and how the authors considered the taping strategy as such. My initial taping strategies focused on prescriptive strategies vs applying the properties of tape to treat for effect. After becoming more versed in using elastic therapeutic tape, I have learned many things. Specifically, using less tape in the facial region is best!! 

(Image obtained from https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/c6330c11823015.5625673dd9a09.jpg)

To reiterate, elastic therapeutic tape does not treat for etiologies. It treats for the relevant co-morbidities, additional pathologies, and secondary impairments associated with the etiology.  In this case, what information, i.e., co-morbidity, additional pathology, and secondary impairment, had been factored as contributing to “facial paralysis”. Was it due to swelling, neuro damage, tonic/phasic muscle relationships, or a combination of these factors? Second, what did the assessment data suggests on how to best use tape as a treatment modality? 

A colleague I admire, follow, and learn from is Esther De Ru. Esther is a well-respected physiotherapist from the Netherlands (click here to see Esther's work). She has been an allied health professional for 50 yrs. She is a leading published expert, instructor, and researcher with a focus on using elastic therapeutic tape related to taping in geriatrics, pediatrics, neurology and head/neck and orofacial disorders. 

She also provided feedback on using elastic therapeutic tape in facial areas that I would like to share:

1.    Good diagnostics are needed to determine how tape will be used.

2.    Taping goals should be established before tape applications are applied.

3.    After applying tape, tape application should be re-assessed for an immediate effect, otherwise, not used.

She also added other applicable considerations about the facial area:

1.    Please be very careful when applying tape in the facial area. Please remember that all muscles, unlike the rest of the body are innervated by cranial nerves as well. The skin is thinner around the eyes... be extra careful there.... the circulation of the facial skin is more profuse, the division of areas of extra mechano-receptors is also different to the rest of the body.

2.    Meridians end in the face. A swelling as after wisdom tooth removal, can be addressed nicely with a lymph technique but be careful when 'addressing facial paralysis'. 

The effectiveness of using elastic therapeutic tape relies heavily on understanding its properties. What are your thoughts?

Looking forward to sharing more on this topic in future blogs!!

Best, J

For more information on upcoming Kinesio Taping Seminars, click here! 

Disclaimers: Information presented in this blog is designed to promote ideas and stimulate discussion. The goal of this blog is to provide a safe and friendly place to share stories or experiences, build an understanding of various teaching and treatment styles, and to network with each other. The author(s) of this blog do not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of information as a form of treatment for medical problems with or without the advice of a physician. Clinicians are recommended to receive proper training and certification as governed by their professional association. The intent of the author(s) is only to offer information of a general nature.  The author(s) assume no responsibility for your actions, assessment, nor interpretations. No one associated with this blog will have liability for loss, damage, or injury resulting from the use of any information found on this or any page of this site.