Kinesio Taping

[michelem]

Has anyone here ever had kinesio taping done for injuries? (You may have seen the black tape on some of the Olympic volleyball players -- that's kinesio taping). My massage therapist is learning how to do it and used me as one of her guinea pigs yesterday. I am AMAZED at the results! As you know, I've been having outer knee pain due to IT Band Friction Syndrome. Well, yesterday, she taped me up and immediately the pain was gone. Tonight I did speedwork at the gym, and while I had to stop to go potty, I had no knee pain!!! Last week when I did speedwork, I was fine as long as I was running (the faster the better), but as soon as I slowed to walk for cooldown -- OUCH!!! And worse, was when I stopped. I could barely even put weight on it and it would get worse when I'd sit and not move it.

I am so amazed and astounded. I really didn't think it was going to do much of anything and for it to work this well, well WOW!!!

It does look kind of funky and I am glad I'm not working this week 'cause it would show if I wore my suit skirts. I've got tape running from the insertion point of the IT band just below the knee all the way up to the hip. Also, u- shaped tapings on the outside of the knee, which pulls my kneecap into the correct position (it's been pointing inward rather than straight ahead).

I'm supposed to leave it on 4-5 days (it's okay to shower with it on) and I go for a follow up on Saturday. I figure she'll reapply it at that time, but I am also going to ask if she'll re-tape me for the marathon the following weekend. She's not charging me since she's practicing on me, which is great!

Anyway, I highly recommend it if you can find someone who knows how to do it correctly.

[kacie tri-ing]

WOW!

I was wondering what the volleyball players were wearing!

Keep us updated! That sounds amazing!

[Aggie_Ama]

Too bad you have to have someone do it, I was hoping I could just tape myself for pains. It sounds pretty neat though, good luck with it!

[Jolt]

Wow. Something to keep in mind if mine ever acts up again...glad it's helping you!

[knapplaura]

During Ironman Arizona I had this done.

Quick story: few weeks before the race I started having metatarsal pain in one foot. During the bike leg of Ironman, my foot starting hurting maybe 20 miles from the end. In transition, a lady comes up and asks me if anything hurts. I tell her about the foot, and she starts taping it w/Kinesio tape to support the metatarsals.

No foot pain the entire marathon run! However after the race it is pretty sore and I am going to the doc soon to get it looked at. But that stuff works!!

[Miranda]

Kinesio Tape is killer!

You can tape yourself at home, and/or have another set of hands help tape you in hard to reach spots. The PT must home teach you first. The tape can be bought on line. Or a PT can order. Comes in different sizes, colors, etc.

OK, I have looked like the Halloween character "Mummy Girl" done up in Kinesio tape befpre. It is pretty cool how it works. I'm very sensitive skinned. But, somehow I could wear it.

The only draw back is that when you have A LOT of tape on your body it's hard to dress after you shower. Stays wet a while. I tried to blow dry the tape once, and omg... do not do that! Or try to remove any of it after heat expose (hot bath, very hot workout, shower, etc.). It heats the glue up and makes it really sticky... so the top layer of skin will rip right off. Ouch!

There are some old threads on here about it too that are good. Plus, the manufacturer's web site has good info.

[kacie tri-ing]

knapplaura! you made it sound magical! I love that story!

[ny biker]

A few years ago I visited the orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist for a knee problem - patella not tracking correctly. The PT taped it a few times for me, and said if it helped he would order a kit for me and show me how to do it myself. Luckily the knee has not bothered me too much so I haven't had to do anything for it lately, but I'll try the tape if it gets worse again.

[HillSlugger]

A few years ago I visited the orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist for a knee problem - patella not tracking correctly. The PT taped it a few times for me, and said if it helped he would order a kit for me and show me how to do it myself. Luckily the knee has not bothered me too much so I haven't had to do anything for it lately, but I'll try the tape if it gets worse again.

I had my knees taped to correct patella tracking issues but I don't think it was Kinesio taping.

[luv'nAustin]

I've used it and agree that it was amazing how it helped with the pain and allowed me to hike and run (pretty much) pain free. Sounds like we taped in the same area. You can do it at home but I always had help because of how I had to stand and kind of "stretch out" the area as it was being taped. Good luck to you...I still have trouble with the IT band.