FAQ for using Kinesio Tape® for swallowing disorders related to Head/Neck cancer

Dysphagia typically presents as a common symptom of head and neck cancer or sequelae of its management (Gaziano, 2002).  Scaring, from surgical dissections in the cervical, upper extremity, and head/neck area, appears to be a universal condition affecting swallowing function. Scaring contributes to adhesions that limit interstitial fluid flow and muscle/tissue pliability. Also, “tissue changes” from treatment methods that address cancer management, affect skin integrity and decrease patient tolerance of stimulation for uses of modalities in these areas.

Image obtained from https://i.pinimg.com/236x/68/49/78/684978bd0da7a77bf479bf55a931f43e.jpg

Heather Lazarides, certified in the Kinesio Taping® Method, and SLP specialist in swallowing disorders associated with H&N cancer, recommends the following information to consider when using Kinesio Tape®:

1.     There is no “magic placement” (when using Kinesio Tape®) to improve swallowing.

a.     First, provide a global assessment to identify what is causing the dysphagia.

b.     Next, identify how Kinesio Tape® can help treat for the relevant co-morbidities, additional pathologies, and secondary impairments associated with the etiology. 

2.     Physical symptoms to pay attention to:

a.     Scars: Scaring from a lateral neck dissection can restrict laryngeal elevation.

b.     Lymphedema: Assess to see if s/s of swelling on the patient’s suprahyoids is contributing to a decrease in hyoid excursion and epiglottic retroflexion.

c.     Shoulder dysfunction: This can be a secondary impairment from a radial neck dissection and removal of CN XI.

3.    I do feel that Kinesio Tape® is a valuable tool for SLPs to use, specifically those who specialize in H&N cancer. Taking the standardized Day 1-Day 3 curriculum can help to learn how to assess and problem solve how to apply Kinesio Tape® more exclusively in this area.

Image obtained from http://www.wikidoc.org/images/c/ca/Digastric_muscle.PNG

Speech Language Pathologists are an up and coming Kinesio Taping® discipline. It is always so good to hear from a fellow SLP interested in learning more about how to use Kinesio® Tape!!

Click here to see upcoming Kinesio Seminars

References:

•       De Ru, E. (2017). Clinical Notes: Elastic therapeutic taping in Paediatrics: Best Practice. Is applying Elastic Therapeutic Tape on the skin of pre-term infants (NICU) and new-borns safe? Retrieved from  https://www.academia.edu/31331942/Clinical_Notes_2_ETT.

•       Gaziano, J.E. (2002). Evaluation and management of oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer. Cancer Control, 9(5), 400-409.

•       Goodridge, S., (2012). Kinesio Tape application on hypertrophic scar formation. Retrieved from: http://www.aevnm.com/docs/socios/Articulos/Aut-Goodridge%20S.pdf, on 3/28/18.

•       Harvey, E.G., Macias-Harris, J., Brown, K.M. (2017). A Prospective Study of the Posture and Sensory Stimulation Method Using a Touch, Treat, Tape Approach (PaSS Method®) to Affect Functional Outcomes in Children with Dysphagia. NDTA Network, May-June 2017, Emotion and Regulation, 24/3, Special Research Report, 1-15.

Click here for more information from the National Cancer Institute 

Disclaimer of Liability and Warranty
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. The intent of the author(s) is only to offer information of a general nature to help you cooperate with your doctor and clinical members in your mutual quest for good health. In the event you use any of the information in this blog for yourself, you are prescribing for yourself. 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 other page at this site.

FAQ- What is Kinesio Taping®?

I am a speech language pathologist and instructor of the standardized Kinesio® Taping curriculum. I thought it would be helpful to put together a FAQ on Kinesio Taping®, specifically for speech language pathologists!

WHAT IS THE KINESIO TAPING® STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM?

The standardize Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 are designed to teach the following:

·         Day 1: The science behind Kinesio Tape® and its effects on systems of skin, periphery (nerves), fascia, muscles, joints, and circulatory/lymphatics

·         Day 2: Corrective techniques using specific cuts, tensions, and applications with Kinesio Tex Gold FP^TM and Kinesio® Tex Classic

·         Day 3: Kinesio Taping®-  Clinical analysis and applications (e.g., mixing/matching tape products/cuts to address conditions with common etiologies)

·         All disciplines are required to take the same standardized curriculum. SLP/SLPA's are the only discipline required to take all three. This is due to ASHA bylaws on SLP/SLPA's being supervised, educated and certified to use medical modalities. 

Click here to find more information about Kinesio Taping®

WHO CAN TAKE THE KINESIO TAPING® STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM?

In order to attend a Kinesio Taping® seminar, each attendee must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Must have completed 80 course hours of anatomy and physiology

2. Must have a working knowledge of the musculoskeletal system

3. Must be able to do assessments by evaluating and/or diagnosing injuries and conditions.

4. Proof of completion of K1, 2 & 3 is required for KT4 participation.

5. Must have achieved or is a student in their junior or senior year (transcripts must be provided) working towards one or more of the following credentials: ARNP, ATC, CAT(C), CCSP, CDP, CHT, CLT, CMBT, CMT, CNMT, COMT, COTA, COTA/L, CPO, CPT, CPTA, CRN, CST, CT, DC, DO, DOM, DPT, Lac, LAT, LLCC, LMBT, LMP, LMT, LOT, LOTA, LPT, LPTA, MD, MDT, MLD, MOT, MOTR/L, MPT, MT, MTC, NCMT, NCTMB, NDT, NMD, NMT, NP, NRC, OCS, ODT, OMD, OPA, OT, OTA, OTC, OTR, OTR/L, PT, PT-C, PTA, PA, RMT, RN, RPT, RPTA, SLP/SLPA.

ARE CEU’S AWARDED FOR SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS? WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL TO USE IT CLINICALLY AS AN SLP/SLPA?

·         Sun Seminars (http://sseminars.logopediaspeechtherapy.com) is the only partner-hosted venue offering CEU’s  (24 hours or 2.4 CEU’s)  for SLP/SLPA’s who take Day 1-Day 3.

·         All SLP/SLPA participants must register for a Day 1-Day 3 block session listed (all other disciplines can take Day 1-Day 2 only, with Day 3 and KT4 seminars being optional).

·         SLP/SLPA’s must take the certification class (Day 3) and pass the exam to become certified to use Kinesio Tape® for clinical and billing purposes.

·         Pre/post assessments will be administered for Day 1-Day 3

Click here for the Sun Seminars webpage

ARE THERE ANY KINESIO TAPING SEMINARS FOR SPEECH RELATED AREAS?

Our KT4's are specialty classes. We are getting ready to launch our newest KT 4 called "Microtaping applications for fragile populations using Kinesio Tape). I am the lead author of this curriculum. It was also co-written by my very good friend and colleague, Elizabeth G. Harvey, DPT, MSR, CKTI, CEIM.

Here is the class description: 

KT4 Specialty Class: Microtaping (MTA) applications for fragile populations using Kinesio Tape®

(Prerequisite, completion of KINESIO UNIVERSITY approved Day 1- Day 3 courses)

This course offers the participant taping strategies using smaller cuts, lighter tensions, and specific taping products (Kinesio Tex Gold Light Touch Plus (LT) and Kinesio Tex Classic Fan Cuts) to address postural alignment, core stabilization, jaw stability, tongue control and lip mobility. Also included are taping strategies to promote respiration, digestion, and scar management. A new cut, the “Long and Short”, will be introduced for multidirectional fascia release. The purpose of the class is to focus on “minimal effective approaches” to promote function (e.g., alignment/stability, balance, swallowing), skin integrity, and comfort for fragile populations (e.g., infants, geriatric, neurologic populations (adult/ped). The participant will be introduced to case studies, focusing on incorporating standardized Kinesio taping applications with microtaping (MTA) applications.

INFORMATION AND LITERATURE ON KINESIO TAPING® USED IN THE HEAD AND NECK AREAS:

1.     S-tape technique designed to address drooling

http://www.downpv.org/Revista2015.pdf

2.     The Clinical Effectiveness of Using Kinesio Tape Following Wisdom Teeth Extraction. Henderson, Sarah Louise and Alexanders, Jenny and Shaw, Thomas in Journal of Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation

http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/4210/1/The%20clinical%20effectiveness%20of%20using%20kinesio%20tape%20following%20wisdom%20teeth%20extraction.pdf

3.     Taping in the orofacial region. 

https://uvadoc.uva.es/bitstream/10324/5773/1/TFG-O%20156.pdf

4.     Effectiveness of Kinesiologic Taping Therapy in Drooling Management among Children with Cerebral Palsy N=30 Aged 2-6
Romana Pervez, Ayesha Kamal But, Noreen Tabassum 

https://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=179941

5.     Dr. Dwajee's study Lip tape therapy in patients with a
cleft lip – a report on eight cases.

http://www.scielo.org.za/pdf/sadj/v69n2/05.pdf

6.     The Kinesiology Taping as a method supporting central
facial nerve damage (VII) therapy English abstract only

http://annales.sum.edu.pl/archiwum_publikacje/2012_66_11.pdf

Other studies:

1.     Does Elastic Therapeutic Tape Reduce Postoperative Swelling, Pain, and Trismus After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Fractures?

Author links open overlay panelOliverRistowMD∗BettinaHohlweg-MajertMD, DDS†VictoriaKehlPhD‡SteffenKoerdtMD§LilianHahnefeldMD⋮ChristophPautkeMD, DDS¶

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278239113003108

2.     Kinesio Taping for temporomandibular disorders: Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial of effectiveness

https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-back-and-musculoskeletal-rehabilitation/bmr683

Disclaimer of Liability and WarrantyInformation 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. The intent of the author(s) is only to offer information of a general nature to help you cooperate with your doctor and clinical members in your mutual quest for good health. In the event you use any of the information in this blog for yourself, you are prescribing for yourself. 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 other page at this site.