From the innovative NeuroMuscular Taping concept in medicine to the development of DERMOTAPING for cosmetic and aesthetic disorders

  David Leonard Blow is the creator of the NMT decompression concept and founder/CEO of both the NeuroMuscular Taping Institute and DermoTaping Institute based in Rome since 2003, in New York from 2012, in Jakarta, from 2015, Argentina and south America since 2016. He is an international instructor of NeuroMuscular Taping and DermoTaping in Europe, the United States, central and southern America, Africa and Asia.

He has over 35 years of therapeutic experience in rehabilitation, including training in Australia, China, Japan and Italy. In 2003 he developed the innovative concept of Neuromuscular Taping (NMTConcept) and later on the DermoTaping methodology in 2005, which has become very popular creating significant changes in the field of medical rehabilitation. The NeuroMuscular Taping Institute stems from David Blow’s will to share “NMT KNOW-HOW” to train doctors and professionals in rehabilitation with taping protocols that can improve overall treatment results and consequently improve quality of life of patients.

David graduated from the Australian Acupuncture College in 1989 after having interned in Japan and at Guang Dong Hospital, China of Traditional Chinese Medicine during 1989, where he studied many conditions, especially treating stroke and rehabilitation through acupuncture. In the early ’90’s he brought his experience to Italy and founded the Italian AcuDetox NADA Association, in collaboration with Dr Michael Smith and the Lincoln Hospital, NY, Acudetox programs and developed specific trainings for the Italian health and correctional/prison services to treat alcohol and substance abuse through ear acupuncture.

David came in touch with bandaging techniques and taping in 1998. In the following years he studied these techniques focusing on their limitations from the point of view of rehabilitation. He decided to explore the idea of decompression taping as a form of therapy based on clinical observations on the dynamics between muscle contraction and extension through the application of a tape on the skin surface.

This decompression taping methodology has the capacity to influence all aspects of the body including blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, nerve conduction and the skin. Since then David developed the NMTConcept; a dilation exteroceptive stimulation created by an elastic decompressive taping methodology (opposite to compressive) and when applied, in the therapeutic area, it has been shown to be clinically validated, reducing symptoms and improving treatment outcomes. NMT is widely used in Italy in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation, both in public and private healthcare hospitals and clinics, involving many university under and post graduate programs and is becoming a mainstream system for protocol rehabilitation treatment.

Starting in 2003 it became very evident how a dilation taping system could improve the oxygenation and fluid exchange at a skin level. Initial treatments were aimed at improving the quality of scarring skin and the reduction of scar tissue adhesion after surgery, or post overwhelming burn scarring and radio therapy. Specific applications in the area of skin health were developed and leading to the creation of the DermoTaping concept in 2005.

The first guidelines were drafted and a series of trainings in specific treatment areas were offered; Body, Face, Décolleté, in collaboration with Medical surgical interventions and Oncological skin health care programs. Aesthetic treatment programs are known as DermoTaping®, these are cosmetic and aesthetic protocols for the treatment of skin and skin blemishes. The dilation and decompressive taping method assists in the improvement of blood circulation and skin oxygenation by activating a continuous fluid exchange in the treated area, not only restoring blemishes as well improving overall skin tone. Since 2011 David has created the DermoTaping Institute in Rome, New York, Jakarta and Buenos Aires with the aim of promoting this new and innovative method of cosmetic and aesthetic treatment.

David has published several case studies and articles evaluating the clinical efficacy of NMT (please see Research Gate or Medline reviews on NeuroMuscular Taping, NeuroTaping, or David Blow). He is actively involved in numerous research projects, including projects involving the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, oncological rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, innovative speech therapy treatments, pediatric conditions and neurological conditions.

Recent studies on the treatment of diabetes ulcer, burning scar treatment involving procedure development for assisting skin regeneration. Other studies cover NMT used to assist in autism, attention deficit disorder, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dementia. In order to share this innovative treatment modality David is the author of the following Medical Publications readily available all over the world;

  • “Neuromuscular taping – from concepts to Practice”,
  • “Neuromuscular taping – Treatment of Edema, hematoma and Scars”
  • “Neuromuscular taping – Treatment Compendium of the upper limb” (available in 2022)
  • “Voice T” – Treatment of speech therapy and facial paralysis. (available 2022)
  • “Esthetic DermoTaping” – Esthetic compendium in elastic decompression taping. (available 2022)
  • “Neuromuscular taping – Treatment Compendium of the lower limb” (available 2023)

However, his principal objective is professional education in medical, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy and esthetics. He has developed a series of educational training modules for doctors (orthopedic, neurology, sport medicine, lymphology, vascular and surgical specialisations), physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and nurses and currently teaches over 1,000 professionals per year through continuing education and certificate programs in Italy and in other countries.

He has developed many training programs and specialisation courses creating specialised teacher core groups in various countries assisting in local know-how development. David is referee of scientific committees, professional consultant, and is an authority in continuing education, recognised internationally by many hospitals and private clinics.

In Italy he is visiting professor in the Master specialisation programs in Sport Traumatology at Pisa University, the University Hospital Gemelli, teaching Hospital of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome sport master program, master program in Neuro-rehabilitation at La Sapienza University of Rome, Speech therapy Master program in swallowing disorders at Turin University and Speech therapy Master program in Vocal rehabilitation at Bologna University. He is also visiting professor in various universities in Argentina and Indonesia.

David has developed and personally conducted many volunteer training projects in health service needy areas in Serbia and Sarajevo while in Africa in Congo and Ethiopia, in central America and in Argentina, and recently in Indonesia with the after earthquake health needs in 2018/2019.

Volunteer training projects are free self financed trainings of health care professionals in short and frequent courses to provide updated medical rehabilitation therapies in areas that are of need. The objective is to create cross-country, multi-ethical and multi-cultural hospital and university collaboration and research development in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation. Future projects will cover Asian countries and Indian sub continent.

The Institute of Neuromuscular Taping was created to develop studies and continue the work that David Blow started in 2000. This NMT rehabilitation system is not simply a technique, but has evolved over the years creating human skills and application protocols to facilitate rehabilitation and the healing process.

To date, the NMT Institute offers specific training in various health areas such as medicine, physiotherapy, motor rehabilitation, occupational therapy, nursing, speech therapy and language pathologies, neuro rehabilitation and pediatric psychomotor development, sport sciences and medical care. Please visit the web sites for detailed information on Publications in the medical/scientific area.

David currently resides in Rome, Italy with his wife and two children. He speaks Italian and English. During his spare time, he enjoys sailing, travelling and Mediterranean/Asian cuisine.

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