Member Article

Kinesio taping courses now included in Sports Rehabilitation BSc degrees

For the first time ever, a UK university is incorporating Kinesio Taping courses into one of its degree programmes.

Kinesio Taping is brightly coloured therapeutic, stretchy taping often seen on sporting celebrities, including Gareth Bale and international athletes. Kinesio UK is based in North Tyneside.

The University of Hull included Kinesio courses KT1 and KT2 into its BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation degree from September 2013 onwards. This allows students to be qualified KT practitioners, as well as qualified Graduate Sport Rehabilitators (GSRs) at the end of their studies.

Learning how to apply it correctly is crucial because the tape’s effects differ depending on how much tension or ‘pull-back’ is created. The direction in which it is applied to the afflicted area is also important. There are many different applications depending on the condition of the patient.

Kinesio Taping can help sports injuries, muscular complaints, swelling and joint pain in all ages from babies to the elderly. It is used in the NHS for the treatment of lymphoedema and in paediatric conditions and is increasingly being used on horses. It allows a full range of motion whilst worn, which makes it very popular with athletes.

The BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation degree course at Hull University provides the necessary hands on skills, knowledge and expertise to undertake accurate assessment and diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries, followed by the appropriate rehabilitation techniques. The programme is accredited by BASRaT (British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers) and successful graduates from this programme may be eligible to join as full graduate members.

The programme incorporates subjects such as applied neuromusculoskeletal anatomy, physiology and biomechanics as well as manual therapy, electrotherapy, remedial exercise, end stage rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Sarah Henderson will be leading the Kinesio courses for Sport Rehabilitation students at Hull. Sarah is a fully qualified KT3 Kinesio practitioner and a BSc (Hons) Graduate Sport Rehabilitator.

Sarah says: “For a long time I’ve been fascinated by Kinesio’s ability to help relieve pain, reduce oedema and mechanical correct aspects of the body. Since I qualified as a KT practitioner in 2012, I’ve used it to great effect within the football team I work for and also clinically at the university on so many different people with different injuries. I always carry Kinesio Tape in my kit bag and I understand so do other health care professionals especially at elite level. It makes total sense to incorporate the Kinesio courses into our Sport Rehabilitation programme and this will not only enhance the student experience but also employability of our graduates within the competitive working environment.”

Dr Lee Ingle, Deputy Head of Department of Sport, Health & Exercise Science said: “The use of Kinesio Taping for treating muscle injuries, swelling and joint pain is becoming increasingly prevalent in both sporting and clinical environments. Our emerging relationship with Kinesio UK is another example of our commitment to the student experience at the University of Hull. We are constantly reviewing the ‘added value’ that our programmes provide, and we are committed to equip students with the skills and experience necessary to excel in the workplace. We believe that integrating Kinesio Taping courses within our programme will enhance the clinical skill-set and ultimately the employability status of our students.”

Kevin Anderson, Managing Director Kinesio UK says: “You can rarely watch an international sporting event now without seeing Kinesio tape, but we’re finding it’s also being used extensively for a variety of different conditions within the NHS. Introducing Kinesio Taping courses to a Sport Rehabilitation degree is offering the students exactly the skills they need to help patients after they graduate. We’re delighted at Hull University’s decision and hope many more universities follow their lead.”

For more information, go to www.kinesiotaping.co.uk or call 0191 287 7008.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Slater .