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Kinesiology Taping for the Canine The Basics: Part Three
Matt Brunke, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, CVA Diplomate, American College of
Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

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Why is it Important?
- It’s Alive
- Fascia Senses
– Richest Sensory Organ
- Fascia Transmits Force Globally
– Common myofascial pathways for transmitting stability, strain, and response – Distributes strain
- Continuous interconnected web
– A GPS system of strain distribution

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Fascial Research (other quadrupeds)
- Research study by Dr Rikke Schultz, DVM Denmark based on the dissection of 26 Icelandic Horses identified seven (7) fascial chains in the equine.
- Dr Kerry Ridegeway, DVM prescribes a dominant laterality in horses . Fascial taping may be able to assist with the straightening with the support lunging and ridden conditioning.

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MYOFASCIA - THE UNEXPLORED TISSUE: MYOFASCIAL KINETIC LINES IN HORSES, A MODEL FOR DESCRIBING LOCOMOTION USING COMPARATIVE DISSECTION STUDIES DERIVED
FROM HUMAN LINES
Vibeke Sodring Elbrond?*, Rikke Mark Schultz?
ABSTRACT
The precise functional role of connective tissue, and especially that of myofascia, remains largely unexplored. With this in mind, the present study has chosen to focus on an improved understanding of the interconnected web of fascia formed by connective tissue throughout the whole body, with particular consideration to force transmission, biomechanics of the whole body and fascia contractility. The specific aim of the present study was to reveal the inter-connective functionality of the locomotory system in a mammal other than humans, namely the horse.
Dissections of horses (n=26) were undertaken in order to verify the existence of, as well as compare the similar functional interconnected lines and structures to, those found in humans. This study found that it was necessary to redefine the human lines that have already been described, owing to variations specific to horses arising from fundamental anatomical differences between bipeds and quadrupeds. Nevertheless, the myofascial kinetic lines presented in this study provide an anatomical foundation for an improved understanding of locomotion. Indeed, one in which the whole body is considered in a holistic way, rather than the simplified description of the action of single muscles. It is concluded that the lines described in this study form the basis of a readily use-able tool that can be applied by practitioners to track the main cause of locomotory problems in horses afflicted with impaired performance.

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Human Myofascial Lines Equine Myofascial Lines
Superficial Back Line (SBL) Superficial Dorsal Line (SDL)
Superficial Front Line (SFL) Superficial Ventral Line (SVL)
Lateral Line (LL) Lateral Line (LL)
Spiral Line (SL) Spiral Line (SL)
Functional Line (FL) Functional Line (FL)
*Deep Front Line (DFL) *Profound Ventral Line (DVL)
Superficial Back Arm Line (SBAL) Front Limb Protraction Line (FLPL)
Superficial Front Arm Line (SBAL) Front Limb Retraction Line (FLPL)
Deep Back Arm Line (DBAL)
Deep Front Arm Line (DFAL)

Ref: Elbrond, Schultz

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Ref: Elbrond and Schultz

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Canine Fascia - Proposal
Dorsal Chain
Ventral Chain
Functional Lateral
Chain Chain

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How long does it need to stay on?
- People – 4-7 days? Waterproof, can shower with it
- Dogs – 12 hours for edema, 1-4 days, re-apply?

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So when do I do this?
- After my full physical examination, assessment, dx plan, initial tx plan and discussion with owner.
- As an adjunct to my other therapies
- “Apply tape after you do what you do”
– Massage, joint mobilization, laser, chiropractic, etc.

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My top applications for kinesiology tape in dogs
- Post-operative swelling – TPLO, Extracap, amputation
- Edema management – with cardio clearance
- Adjunct multimodal pain management – DJD, muscle pain
- Any sore/tender areas – trauma
- Stifle support – MPL?
- Adhesions/contraction sites

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continued
- Improved posture awareness
- Improved sensory awareness – IVDD, FCE, DM, etc.
- Sporting/eventing/working canines – improve recovery, minimize chance for edema, pain after event

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Thank You
• Matt Brunke, DVM, CCRP, CVPP, CVA Diplomate, ACVSMR
DrMattBrunke@gmail.com
DrBrunke.wordpress.com