Why Athletes Rave About Kinesiology Tape?

Have you ever noticed athletes competing with colored strips of kinesiology tape on their body?

Kinesiology Tape

Who’s Using Kinesiology Tape?

Athletes around the world are part of a growing trend, wearing therapeutic applications of Kinesiology Tape to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, and to relax tired & overused muscles. It is also widely used for stabilizing muscles & joints that have been strained or sprained, and even speeding up recovery from muscle or joint surgery.

International athletes including Serena Williams, Lance Armstrong, Novak Djokovic, Justin Henin, Lleyton Hewitt, David Beckham, and in particular many Olympic Athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics use this technology to assist recovery, keeping their bodies in the best shape to perform at their best.

Athletes using Kinesio tape

Now 1000’s of Health Professionals, and Sports Trainers across Australia are trained in using Kinesio Tape.

So lets take a closer look at what Kinesiology Tape is, and how it works.

What is Kinesiology Tape?

Kinesiology Tape was first invented back in the 1970’s by Japanese Chiropractor/Acupuncturist, Dr Kenzo Kase. He was looking for a new method of sports taping that would assist in the healing of injured or overused muscles & tissue.

Kenzo KaseHe noticed that standard sports taping methods, using Rigid Strapping Tape, provided excellent joint support, but tended to limit range of movement and did not support the fibrous tissue surrounding the muscle.

He also found in some cases, that regular taping techniques inhibit the healing process of muscles and tissue in this condition.

In 1973, after several years researching into muscle taping, tape elasticity, tape breathe-ability and tape adhesion, he developed a new therapeutic tape and application method, which is now known as Kinesiology Taping.

How Does It Work?

Kinesiology works on a simple philosophy of returning the body, and mind to balanced healthy state. So this taping method works on the body in 3 key areas.

Structurally – Correct Muscle Function & Faster Healing

  • Provides great joint support and stability, by restricting harmful range of movement without the harsh end feel of rigid tape.
  • Promotes normal muscle activation and function, by helping reduce inflammation and promote proper nerve balance within the affected area.

Neurologically – Inflammation & Pain Reduction

  • Decreased perception of pain.
  • Promotes peripheral neuroplasticity.
  • Stimulation of the skin’s nervous system pathways.

Microcirculatory – Improved Circulation for Improved Healing

  • Wave pattern formation.
  • Improve flow and function in muscle surrounding tissue.
  • Improved lymphatic flow.
  • Improved micro blood vessels flow in tissue.

Fast Facts:

  • Kinesiology Tape RollsMade from 100% cotton
  • A good quality tape should be latex free
  • Up to 30-40% elasticity from resting length (applied to only 10% stretch)
  • 100% acrylic adhesive that is a medical grade and hypoallergenic
  • Kinesio Tape allows the skin to breathe
  • Manufactured to be the same weight, thickness and elasticity of the skin
  • Allows range of motion and does not restrict like conventional athletic tape
  • Elastic properties to help to support and reduce muscle fatigue
  • Single application can be worn for 3-5 days without re-application
  • Normally 6-10 applications per roll
  • Can be bought in application specific pre-cut shapes for easy application to affected areas

More Kinesio Articles

This has been the first article in our Ultimate Guide to Kinesio Taping series, next article I will take a closer look at the “12 Core Principles of Kinesiology Tape Application”.

If you found this article helpful please complete the following:

  • Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more articles as released.
  • Leave a comment below, to let me know:
    • Your experience with Kinesio Tape,
    • Or any questions you have about it!
  • Add your “Like” via your favourite social media buttons below 🙂

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How to Strap for Patella Dislocation and Instability

Patella Dislocation - Daryn CresswellPatella Dislocation is a knee injury that can regularly occur in sports that involve twisting motions of the knee, and where the patella (knee cap) is dislodged laterally out of the patellofemoral groove at the front of the knee.

Its is an injury that is most common in younger athletes, between 16-20 years old, but can also occur randomly by impact in contact sports.

Perhaps the most watched patella dislocation injury in the AFL history, was when Sydney Swan footballer, Daryn Cresswell, dislocated his kneecap and was trying desperately to knock it back into place.

Patella Instability Pain

Patella Instability is also a condition that is not as common as some of the injuries that we have covered so far, but can either cause excruciating pain if dislodged, or restricting athlete discomfort if the patella is not tracking properly in the patellofemoral groove.

In this article of the SportStrap “How to Strap” series, I’d like to take a closer look at the injury itself, and how to strap for patella dislocation and instability.

How is the Patella Injured

There are varing degrees of Patella injuries from Patella Subluxation through to Patella Dislocation.

Patella Injuries

Patella Sublaxation is where the an unstable patella, or knee cap, does not track centrally in the groove at the end of the thigh bone as the knee bend, causing discomfort to the sides of the knee. This can be common in younger athletes, and can be hereditary.

Patella Dislocation is where the knee cap is dislodged for the groove, and it normally occurs in two ways:

  1. A direct impact to the front of the knee, knocking the patella laterally out of place.
  2. Quadriceps tendons & ligaments attached to the patella act awkwardly during twisting motions of the knee, forcing the patella out of place.

Below is a video showing a great technique for strapping Patella Instability using Sports Tape, by highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray. Enjoy!

Best Patella Strapping Technique

What items do you need to Strap for Patella Instability?

To strap a patella properly, you are going to need the following items:

Preparation to Tape a Patella

For the best results when patella strapping, it is recommended to prepare the knee by doing the following:

  • Shave off any hair around the area being taped (Hairy guys only).
  • Ensure the hand is clean from dirt or oil.
  • It is recommended to use Pre-Tape Spray for better adhesion

What is the Right Tape Tension.

When taping this method it is important not to tape the anchors to tight, as it will restrict the players movement, cause discomfort and possibly restrict blood flow.

When taping the McConnell technique its important to apply good tension pulling the knee-cap back toward the inner side of the leg

Here’s What You Need To Do Next…

First…

While this method is quiet simple, make sure you practice it once or twice in the next week, while its fresh in your mind.

Then…

I want you to leave me a comment on this page, and let me know how you plan on using what you learned from this edition of SportStrap “How To Strap” series.

And finally…

Let me know what you think of the SportStrap “How To Strap” series. This is the sixth episode, and I’d love to hear how much you’ve enjoyed it, and even what you’d like me to cover next. Remember subscribe to this newsletter below if you haven’t already.

For links to Previous episodes, here you go:

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Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au

ankle injury

How To Tape An Ankle For Extreme Support

In the beginning of our ‘How To Strap’ series, we looked at a simple method of “How to Strap an Ankle“. In this article I would like to expand on that, by showing you how to tape an ankle that is extremely unstable, or that needs extra support.

Most ankle injuries occur when the ankle or foot is rolled to an inverted position, where the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle can be sprained or damaged. This type of injury is very common in running-sports like Football, Rugby, Netball, Basketball & Soccer.

Ankle Injury

Re-Occurring Ankle Injuries & Ankle Instability

Sometimes an athlete may have a history of a re-occuring ankle sprain, where the ankle may feel weak, and they don’t trust the stability of the joint during physical activity. In this case, extra ankle support is required to give the ankle stability and the althete the confidence to compete at their best.

I would like to share with you a video that shows a great technique for providing extra support for the ankle using ankle strapping tape, courtesy of highly experienced Sports Trainer, Cam Wray. Enjoy!

Great Technique to Tape an Ankle for Extra Support

As you can see from the video, this technique is very similiar to the Cam’s basic ankle taping method, with the use of anchors and 2-3 stirrups. He also uses 3 Adidas strips on the outside of the ankle and then finishes off with 2 calcaneal sling techniques (half heal locks) alternating on opposite sides.

While learning how to tape an ankle correctly is important, so is using quality of supplies for the job.

What items do you need to Tape an Ankle?

Fortunately, you don’t need to many different supplies to tape an ankle. But to get the job done properly, you will need the following items depending on your exact purpose:

Optional items you may wish to use: 

Preparation to Strap an Ankle

As previously, for optimum results when taping the ankle, it is recommended to prepare the ankle by doing the following:Ankle Protection

  • Shave off any hair around the area on the ankle being taped.
  • Cover any wounds with Non-Stick Wound pads
  • Use Orthopedic foam padding to protect any tender areas at the sides, front or top of the ankle or back of the achillies.

Ankle Injury Management

As with most ligament injuries, active physiotherapy rehabilitation is the best form of treatment for chronic ankle instability. This normally includes soft tissue massage and strengthening motion exercises, which are ideal to stimulate ligament repair and strength.

Good ankle taping techniques during this period can really assist to speed up recovery, and reduce the time where an athlete is out of action.

But as always, seek advice from a professional physiotherapist for a proper diagnosis.

Did this Article Help?

This article is the 5th article in the SportStrap’s “How To Strap A …….” series, in case you missed the previous articles, you can find them here:

And if you found this article helpful, please share the love by completing the following:

  • Subscribe to our Newsletter below to receive more “How To” articles as released.
  • Leave a comment below, to let me know:
    • Your experience with strapping an ankles,
    • Or any questions you have about strapping ankles!
  • Add your “Like” to our SportStrap Facebook fan page

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Have a most outstanding day,

Cade Arnel

SportStrap.com.au ©2012