United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have been using kinesiotape to improve external rotation on my 14 month old daughter's BPI arm for about 10 days. Every night that she has the tape on she falls asleep with exhaustion, but then wakes up about 3 hrs later and she won't sleep. One night she was up 3 hrs, another night 2 hrs, etc. After I removed the tape at 3 AM (3 different nights) she fell right to sleep for the rest of the night. On alternate days when she didn't have tape on her arm she slept through the night.

I have tried using milk of magnesia under the tape and keeping her very hydrated. I don't think it is a skin irritation, but just a sensory problem. I called the kinesio company and they suggested cutting the tapes (1 inch) into 2 pieces which I tried also. Last night I didn't even have any stretch on the tape. Any ideas?

Finally, could someone tell me how successful they have been with kinesiotape and how long they had to use it?

Thanks

Jane

Jane,
Although the tape does not irritate the skin in some it may still feel itchy and maybe your baby girl doesnt understand itchy yet?

What muscles are you using it on?

If you are not applying any stretch to the tape then you may be right with it being a sensory thing. Does she sleep with any splints on?

I have used the tape but I used it on my back. I had amazing results with it! It was a huge form of pain control and a reminder to my muscles that they didnt need to be on all the time! I say reminder to the muscle because unless it itched I forgot the tape was even on, you cant feel it after a while.

Another thought is are you using the tape during the day or only at night? It might just be she is not allowing herself to get used to it as she is only 14 months and might not understand what it is thats on her now that didnt used to be.

You could also try putting it on just her good arm for a night and see what she does and if that goes ok try both arms. I found the tape was very usefull to use on both sides of my back. I had two applications for each side of my back, one was a two inch strip about 8-10 inches long that went down my back and for a while I I used that pattern on both sides then we found a new pattern for my bpi side that worked better to stimilate my rhomboids it was a three inch strip about 7-8 inches long the went down along my spine and flared. Then another sthrip that was on inch and about 7 inches long went across my upper trap to get it to relax.
I have a couple pictures on my website of my first tape pattern in the photo album www.freewebs.com/bpimn

I hope this is helpful, if you have more questions feel free to ask, I used the tape for about a year and a half.
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

We use 3 strips. THe longest one starts at the front of the shoulder and goes back over the scapula. Then 2 smaller ones cross that one just beyond the scapula. We were trying to let her wear them 24/7 until they wore off, but she doesn't seem to get beyond the night time. She never sleeps with any splints on.

I do believe that you are right about it being itchy. I tried some on myself and I had a hard time with the tape being itchy too.

does she wear anything else along with the tape? I'm wondering if the tape is "catching" on her night clothes, or rubbing against them, or...?

Or maybe try closer fitting pajamas, which would distribute pressure everywhere and help desensitize the tape areas?

Kate

and it may just be completely sensory issues

We are using the kinesio on Kaylas wrist. It goes from her knuckles to almost her elbow to help with wrist extension. I have notices while it is on she is more fussy and restless. Today we put it on in the first time in about a month (she had some irritation to her skin) and when she got up from her nap she was almost inconsolable. Still not sure if it is the tape or her teeth (if only they could talk, right?). I am not going to use it again if she has more irritation, as she has sensitive skin to begin with. We leave it on for 3 days. I am going to see if she is fussier the whole 3 days and gets better when it off, but each time we use it, it seems that she is fussier. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Ashley
Kayla's Mom, 10 mos, ROBPI

Ashley,
It sounds like a Sensory Issue to me too.We OBPI-ers commonly have them. The earlier Mom's find out about them, it is easier on the children and future educators and therapists to put accommadations into place.

Please keep us updated.

HUGS all around,
Carolyn J

Thanks for all of your tips. I am currently trying to use the kinesiotape only during the day. She was still very grumpy today, but we will see how it goes. I am also trying different clothes over the top to see if that matters. My guess is that it is really itchy - at least that is what I felt.

Carolyn, Can you describe sensory issues? Have you tried kinesiotape and how did it feel compared to the other side?

Also, if anyone has had great results with kinesiotape I would love to hear it. It is easier to go through this if there are rave reviews.

Jody sometimes gets taped on Mondays at OT and the tape is peeling off after a few hours. Anyone know why?



MArlyn

Jane,
I bumped up the Topic Thread on Sensory Issues with BPI--Sensory Intergration Dysfunction. It has ALOT of information on SI..
I have Sensory Issues, but I haven't used Kinesico Tape.

HUGS,
Carolyn J
adult LOBPI