Izuchi, a Japanese volunteer in physiotherapy working with the Ministry of Health, demonstrated the use of the kinesio taping method.
The Physiotherapy Association of St. Lucia Inc. in partnership with Yuki Izuchi of the JICA/JOCV, conducted a workshop on Saturday morning at the Victoria Hospital Physiotherapy Department for practicing physiotherapists in Saint Lucia.
Saint Lucia has 12 practicing physiotherapists. About seven participants demonstrated the kinesio taping method as a pain-relieving treatment.
Kinesiotherapy is used in patients who have suffered strokes and musculoskeletal disorders. To relieve the pain, the tape is applied to the affected skin area and can remain applied for up to three days at a time.
Izuchi, a Japanese volunteer in physiotherapy working with the Ministry of Health, demonstrated the use of the kinesio taping method. He is responsible for visiting the homes of out-patients who suffer from strokes, amputations and musculoskeletal disorders and who can’t move around much.
To date, he has visited 480 patients around the island.
Kinesio taping can be used by everyone suffering from muscular pains and sports injuries. It is a treatment method invented by Japanese chiropractors to reduce pain and the method is used by Olympic athletes during competition.
It is also a rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion, as well as providing extended soft-tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting.
Kinesio taping is safe for people ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions.