United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi,

I am looking for some information. I remember a while back some parents writing that their PTs/OTs were using a type of tape to help control the winging of the shoulder blade of their children. Can anyone give me more information about this, experiences with it?
Thanks, Stephanie

I know that some people use Kinesio tape for winging. My son uses it for internal rotation.
www.kinesio.com

We use kinesio tape with Matthew off and on. It holds the scapula in place. He also gets much more range when we use it.
Cindy

We use leuko tape to stabilize the scapula. Leuko tape has a stronger bond than kinesio tape, and its goal is to hold things in place. The idea being that once the scapula is in place, and you tape it there, the muscles "learn" how to hold it there, and then muscle memory will hold it in place for awhile after the tape is off.

We use kinesio tape as well, the purpose is different than leuko tape. Kinesio tape is used to STIMULATE the muscles (leuko holds the muscles). So when we are trying to get muscles to react, we use kinesio.

They both are great, but their purposes are different and you should talk to your child's therapists about what you are trying to achieve with the tape.

We use leuko tape to stabilize the scapula. Leuko tape has a stronger bond than kinesio tape, and its goal is to hold things in place. The idea being that once the scapula is in place, and you tape it there, the muscles "learn" how to hold it there, and then muscle memory will hold it in place for awhile after the tape is off.

We use kinesio tape as well, the purpose is different than leuko tape. Kinesio tape is used to STIMULATE the muscles (leuko holds the muscles). So when we are trying to get muscles to react, we use kinesio.

They both are great, but their purposes are different and you should talk to your child's therapists about what you are trying to achieve with the tape.

How did you find out about leukotape and kinesio tape? Did your doctors help you find it? At what age can you start using these kinds of tape? Who can show you how to use them?

lulumom

Do you happen to know if most doctors support the use of taping? I had heard from another parent that Dr. Nath wasn't really into taping, not sure if it was one versus the other or both. They told me he did not think it was a good idea to hold the scapula in place and that you actually wanted it to have movement. Not sure what the thoughts are behind this. Have you ever talked to Nath about his opinions on this? If you have any info. it would be appreciated.

We use used "K" taping. Our PT was the one who recommended it. We're not using it anymore because after a few months, it started really irritating his skin. We only kept it on for 3-5 days. She applied rubbing alcohol before the tape to keep it nice and tight. We removed with baby oil, or skin so soft by avon. Talk to you PT/OT.

My DD's therapists recommended the taping. OT does Leuko and PT does Kinesio. I talked to Nath and Lisa Davis. They actually didn't tell me what they told you. He just said that surgery was a better alternative than having to tape for the upteen years it would take to MAYBE achieve the same results as surgery. AFTER surgery, I talked to Nancy Conte, TCH therapist and she actually agreed with me that we should tape after surgery to help with the winging until the muscles built up more strength.

We first started the leuko as soon as we really started to notice scapular winging at 15-18 months. While it does hold the scapula in place, it still allows for movement. You apply it when the scapula is in the correct positioning. Then since it is held in the correct place, you in theory have better range because you are not hindered by any winging. Make sense? We would put the tape on for no more than 2 days to allow for muscle memory activities. (Sounds so technical, it really isn't.) DD would climb on jungle gyms etc., and would be able to FEEL what it should feel like with the scapula in place.


Kinesio tape was started when dd was about a month old, and was used to "activate" muscles.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any more questions.