«Taping is an effective way to treat complaints during pregnancy without medication»
Ursula Lüscher, Head of the Maternity Department, Bethesda Hospital
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01. November 2021
Kinesio tapes for pregnancy complaints
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Pregnancy can trigger various complaints. Kinesio taping can help with back pain, oedema or nausea and vomiting and support the pregnancy. The midwives at Bethesda Hospital now offer this method.
In the past, the colourful tapes were only used by competitive athletes, but today kinesio tapes are widely used. The cotton tapes, which originate from Japan, are highly elastic and breathable. As they expand and contract with every movement, the outermost layer of skin is slightly raised, which stimulates the local blood flow. The improved circulation relieves pain and stimulates the metabolism. Taping is used for muscle and joint pain or swelling and increasingly during pregnancy.
Ursula Lüscher, Head of the Maternity Department, Bethesda Hospital
The increase in abdominal girth leads to static changes, which puts strain on the muscles and joints. Pregnancy hormones loosen the connective tissue and muscles; the lymph flow is often impaired. All of this can result in pain.
Taping treatment is an addition to the existing outpatient services, which include acupuncture, antenatal classes, counselling sessions and breastfeeding advice. "It is a woman-centred service in the pregnancy care plan. The woman can also use taping to establish initial contact with a midwife in the maternity department."
Many possible applications
The tapes have a wide range of applications. "K-Taping is used to help with pregnancy complaints, to induce labour and to relieve the abdomen, as well as in physiotherapy. Common complaints include lymphoedema, carpal tunnel or sacroiliac joint syndrome, lumbar vertebra syndrome and symphysis loosening. Cross tapes are also used on the corresponding acupuncture points for pregnancy nausea, vomiting, reflux and constipation.
«With K-Taping, we can reduce the pressure in the stomach in the case of reflux complaints and at the same time ensure improved blood circulation. Both together lead to rapid pain relief.»
Ursula Lüscher, Head of the Maternity Department, Bethesda Hospital
To stimulate the bowels or induce labour, the tapes are fixed with a slight pull in the direction of the rectum. "This loosens up the muscle and body fascia through body movement." Every K-Taping application has its effect, says Serena Pepe, K-Taping therapist and midwife at Bethesda Hospital. "In addition to loosening up the muscles, taping can help to relieve pain and improve resilience and continuous lymphatic drainage, which leads to faster healing of the muscles." Health insurance companies cover the costs of K-Taping during pregnancy.
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