The second video is for lower back pain and is an updated version of our SI Joint application. If you’ve ever tried the the SI Joint app and liked it then you’ll love this one. We’ve added an extra strip of tape to this application which provides greater relief of pressure and pain, greater proprioceptive support, and increases circulation to promote the healing process. Relief is generally felt immediately and allows the body to return to a healthy posture and normal function.

The third video is for arch pain which is an improved version of the plantar fasciitis application. We basically beefed up the application to provide extra strength support. Using KT Tape for this condition has shown tremendous results in alleviating pain and promoting the healing process. KT Tape provides comfortable and conformable support for the arch serving to relax the foot and reduce inflammation. Reduced activity, stretching the calves, massage therapy, weight loss in overweight individuals, foam rolling, ice, and NSAIDs can all serve to help alleviate symptoms and treat plantar fasciitis. Stretch the calves and plantar fascia before going to bed and before getting out of bed.

We’ll continue posting new applications daily and all of the applications will be available on the instructions page soon. Leave a comment and let us know what you think? Thx!

You probably don’t remember me as you were taping up hundreds of people the day before the race.  Nonetheless, you did tape my knee up at the expo the day before I ran the Philadelphia 1/2.  I just wanted to thank you for it.  It did wonders for my knee!  I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort throughout my entire race and I finished in my best time yet.

 I also looked online to see if there was instructional video of how you taped my knee that day and there isn’t.  Would you be able to send me instructions on how to apply the tape the same way you did it for me?  I can copy from the pictures I have from the race, but as far as placement and tension, I would be lost.  Your help would be greatly appreciated!

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 Congrats on an awesome finish! And if you’d like to see the video our KT Tape team sent in response to her requested knee application, click here.

I used to be an orthopedic nurse for 5 years and have seen people come in and out with huge braces on or huge wraps to help with their pain. It looked terrible and just as much of a hassle as their injury. I started seeing KT Tape pop up around the gym and at races here and there.

As I got more familiar with the product I didn’t really need it but suggested it to my patients and friends. It worked great for them. Just one application and you don’t have to worry about it for a couple of days versus the brace and wraps that you have to take on and off often. You can move free and have much better range of motion over the braces and wraps.

My husband decided to enlist in the Air Force and while training he strained his hip flexor. He could hardly move it was so painful. He went to the doctor and chiropractor and they told him to just rest. He tried resting for a couple of days but really needed to get back training so I suggested trying KT Tape. He was a little hesitant at first but then agreed. He wore it for a few days and he was moving around a lot better. We applied it again a few days later and he got even better. He is now fully enlisted and waiting to ship off to basic training feeling great!

While training with him and hiking, my knees have taken a beating and with power lifting you squat a lot! I decided to put on the tape and couldn’t believe the instant relief! My knee felt great! Any time I would feel the slightest ache or pain I would put it on! My right shoulder hurts from time to time and I feel immediate relief with that application as well! This stuff works!

-Amber Hayes, RN

Runners who are looking for the cause of their foot, ankle, or knee pain may need to look higher. Weak hips are often the culprit behind patellofemoral syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, and iliotibial-band syndrome, according to Reed Ferber, Ph. D., director of the University of Calgary’s Running Injury Clinic. “Inadequate hip muscle stabilization is a top cause of injury in runners,” he says. “The hips need to be strong to support the movement of the feet, ankles, and knees.”

In 2007, Ferber conducted a study of 284 patients who compared leg pain.  He found that 93 percent of them had weak hip muscles.  After putting these people on a targeted strength program, 90 percent of them were pain-free within six weeks.

Those exercises (shown here) are now a major part of Ferber’s practice.  He recommends doing them daily after you run.  Start with one set of 10 reps and gradually increase sets so that you’re doing three sets of 10 by your fourth day.  You should see improvement in two weeks.  If you don’t, Ferber says to see a doctor because your injury could lie elsewhere.

SEATED HIP EXTERNAL ROTATOR
1. Attach a resistance band to the left end of a bench and loop the other end around your right foot.
2. Keeping your knees together, lift your right leg out to a count of two, then release back down to a count of two.
3. Repeat on the other leg.

STANDING HIP FLEXOR
1. Put your right foot in the resistance band and turn so you are facing away from the band’s anchor.
2. Keeping your right leg straight, lift it forward to a count of two, then release it back down to a count of two.
3. Repeat on the other leg.

STANDING HIP ABDUCTOR
1. Anchor a resistance band to a stable object.
2. Loop the other end around your right foot so the band crosses in front of you.
3. Standing with your left leg slightly behind you, keep your right leg straight and lift it out to the side. Lift it to a count of two, then release it back down to a count of two.
4. Repeat on the other leg.

To read the entire article, visit Runnersworld.com.

Tennis is a sports played throughout the year on various different surfaces.  With Wimbeldon being a part of the top sporting events taking place we take a look at some of the common injuries sustained by playing tennis and how kinesiology tape can support the injury and enhance recovery.

You have noticed during some sporting events that participants and professionals donning bright, multicoloured strips on their bodies; particularly around the shoulders, knees, elbows, thighs and wrists.

This is kinesiology tape, a sports injury phenomenon which was introduced into the UK in the early 70s.  Kinesiology tape uses the manipulation of skin contours to support muscle and tendons, they allow for blood circulation and lymphatic drainage allowing for reduction in swelling and pain relief.  Furthermore, using kinesiology to common sporting injuries also supports mobility which enhances recovery.

In this special blog we will look at some of the common injuries sustained whilst playing tennis. At this point I would like to stress that Kinesiology and the use of therapy tape is only a facet of your rehabilitation, we strongly recommend that you seek professional advice from your doctor or physiotherapist.

Tennis Elbow

Although labeled Tennis Elbow, this common injury is not just caused by playing tennis;  when you are suffering from Tennis Elbow you have actually strained the extensor tendons in the forearm. The tendons become inflamed where they join the bony part on the outside of your elbow.  Incidently, if this pain is on the inside they call it Golfer’s Elbow as the grip and twist is usually reversed.

Usually this strain has been caused by activities that involve gripping and twisting of the forearm.  If you are suffering from Tennis Elbow and want to use therapy tape to support your recovery click on the Tennis Elbow link here to see how therapy tape is applied.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff injury and inflammation is one the most common causes of shoulder pain. This is caused by irritation and inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff injuries tend to have a sudden onset, so you feel pain almost immediately.

As in most cases with injuries of this type it is caused by overuse of the shoulder, particularly in tennis the shoulder is put through intense usage with serving and also reciprocating shots of the ball in reply to the opponent.

For shoulder injuries and details on how to strap up using Kinesiology Tape for injuries such as rotator cuff please click here.

Wrist Tendonitis

This is the irritation and inflammation of the tendons around the wrist.

The most common and consistent complaint of patients diagnosed with wrist tendonitis is pain over the area of the inflammation; swelling surrounding soft tissues is also common.

Check out the video on using Kinesiology tape for wrist injuries by clicking here.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles Tendon is the large tendon at the back of the ankle; it connects the large calf muscle to the heel bone and provides the power for walking a running.

Achilles Tendon injuries are very painful and prevent you from walking, injuries can be sustained from inflammation of the tendon due to overuse.  This is very common in sports such as tennis and football and can take the sufferer several weeks or months to remedy.

Kinesiology tape is designed to support this type of common injury, to see how you can use therapy tape to support the injury click here.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (IT Band)

IT Band pain, like Achilles Tendonitis, can be very painful, and knee symptoms can prevent walking.  It is often found in sports enthusiasts and also in women during pregnancy.

The band pain is caused by superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh extending from the outside of the pelvis to over the hips and knees.  As the band stabilizes, movement such as walking and running with continuous rubbing of the band can cause inflammation.

Symptoms range from a stinging sensation just above the knee joint to swelling and thickening of the tissue.  Unlike rotator cuff injuries the pain is not onset or sudden and may not actually be felt during exercise or movement, however this can intensify later…

To read the entire article, visit Medzooma.com.

One of the most common KT Tape applications used in soccer is the for the Knee, and for all those soccer players out there, here is an article by Dr. Gregory Waryasz for Livestrong.com on why and how different knee injuries occur:

Overview

Soccer is a sport that can result in a wide variety of sports medicine injuries to the knee. Patients can develop knee pain from either acute trauma or from chronic repetitive motions. Injuries to the structures in the knee can occur in isolation or in combination with other injury patterns. More complex injury patterns and acute traumatic injuries involving multiple ligaments or menisci usually require surgical treatments.

ACL Tear

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a ligament located within the knee joint that helps stabilize the knee. It is commonly injured in sports where athletes twist and turn rapidly. Patients usually develop knee swelling, tenderness and instability. Patients often hear a “pop” when the injury occurs. The ACL usually requires surgical reconstruction, according to the “AAOS Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review”.

Meniscal Tear

There are two menisci in the knee: lateral and medial. Either meniscus can tear due to trauma, but the medial meniscus is torn approximately three times more than the lateral meniscus, according to the “Review of Orthopaedics”. Meniscal tears can occur from contact or non-contact trauma. Patients usually develop instability, swelling and pain in the knee. Depending upon the type of meniscal tear, patients either can be treated with physical therapy or surgery.

MCL Sprain

The medial collateral ligament, or MCL, is a primary stabilizer for the inside or medial aspect of the knee. The MCL can be injured in three grades according to the “AAOS Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review”. A grade 1 injury is a few torn fibers, but there is no change in the ligament integrity. A grade 2 injury is an incomplete ligament tear with knee instability. A grade 3 injury is complete disruption of the MCL fibers resulting in severe laxity of the knee. Patients are usually treated non-operatively with physical therapy, but some do need surgery especially when there is more than one structure injured in the knee.

Patella Dislocation/Subluxation

The patella or knee cap is the bone that sits in front of the knee joint. The patella is stabilized by soft tissue structures. During trauma, the patella can become displaced. Dislocation involves complete displacement of the patella, while subluxation is an incomplete displacement of the patella in relationship to the femoral trochlea where the patella usually sits. Patients may injure the soft tissue structures around the knee including the medial patellofemoral ligament. Patients are initially treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy. Some patients require surgery to help improve the stability of the patella during knee motion.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome or PFPS, is a type of overuse injury due to maltracking of the patella during knee motion that results in chronic pain behind the patella. PFPS is also known as “runner’s knee”. Patients are initially treated with rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Some patient who fail to improve with physical therapy require surgery.

Patellar Tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis is an overuse injury where there is pain with knee motion due to inflammation of the patellar tendon. Patellar tendinitis, or “jumper’s knee”, is seen commonly in sports that involve jumping activities. Patients have pain just below the knee cap and difficulty moving the knee due to pain. Patellar tendinitis usually responds well to rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.

To read more visit Livestrong.com.

The second-ever St. George Ironman kicked off last week, and KT Tape was a major player for many of the Ironman athletes there!  Dr. Jacob Luce of Luce Chiropractic and Dr. Tom Fletcher were two of the sports medicine doctors that treated athletes leading up to the race.

The winners of the 2011 St. George Ironman winner battled fiercely through high temperatures and a difficult course.  The winner for the men came down to the last mile of the race- with Mathias Hecht (8:32:03) followed closely by Maik Twelsiek who finished less than two minutes behind (8:33:46).  Hecht’s finishing time set a new course record by over eight minutes.

For the women, Heather Wurtele won her second St. George Ironman (she also won in 2010) with a margin of more than 35 minutes over second place Jackie Arendt (10:06:36).  Despite the heat Wurtele set a new course record with a time of 9:30:33.

Dr. Luce and Dr. Fletcher were onsite the week leading up to race to treat athletes preparing to compete.  This year the field had 1500 athletes, and the most popular triathlete injuries taped were:

1. Knee/IT band syndrome

2. Ankle

3. Hamstring

4. Low back

5. Shoulder

Click on the links above to view taping instructions for each of these applications.  To view more pictures of athletes taped at the St. George Ironman, visit the KT Tape Facebook page.

To view race results for the 2011 St. George Ironman, click here.

The most popular KT Tape application requested at the expo was for that nagging knee pain, but we also taped a ton of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and IT Bands! 

Congratulations to all the athletes who finished the race despite the record cold temperatures- we’ll see you there next year!

If you were a registered participant of the race, click on this link to take the 2011 NATIONAL MARATHON POST RACE SURVEY.

To view the preliminary race results, click here.

To find the Nova Pain and Rehab Clinic nearest you, visit the KT Tape Clinic Locator or visit the Nova Pain and Rehab website.

Guest writer Andre Zollars, avid cyclist and president of Prairie Winds in Montana, recounts her initial skepticism but ultimate conversion to the powers of KT Tape:

Running has always been my passion, but last summer I rediscovered cycling. Given a hand-me-down time trial bike, I started riding with a group of guys in town. We started out doing 15-to-20 miles rides, but eventually built up to 30+ and a century ride over a weekend. I was hooked and before the end of summer, ordered a new top-of-the-line road bike for myself. Montana winters are long, and I’ve spent it all on a kinetic trainer, hovering between 80 and 100 miles a week.  Recently, I was rewarded for my hard work with the arrival of my new Fuji Supreme 1.0 road bike. To say it’s beautiful would be an understatement. The sleek tapered carbon silver, white and burnt orange frame reminds me of the classic Porsche 911. It is graceful, sleek, and built to tear up the pavement. I’m dying to get out on the road with it.

My goal this summer is to ride at least one century, and possibly as many as three. But, that will depend on how my body holds up. I’ve tweaked my diet, adjusting it to suit my workout and that’s all gone well. The only thing that I am worried about holding me back is nagging knee pain. I don’t know how many years ago, but at least five, I discovered I could no longer run on pavement. After years of running, my knees were begging me to stop. So, I became solely a trail runner. They still act up on occasion, but are usually OK with some ibuprofen and icing. Now, after upping my mileage to 80+ a week on the trainer, my right knee is beginning to complain again. The pain is migrating from the inside to the front to the outside of the knee, making it impossible to diagnose.

After years of icing and ibuprofen, I decided to pursue preventative measures. After some research, I settled on KT Tape. I’d seen the pro beach volleyball players using it and it seemed to be growing in popularity. I liked that it was easy to use, inexpensive, and didn’t go inside my body. A purist, I rarely take medications unless it’s an absolute must. I reviewed the KT Tape directions online and settled on the application for general knee pain. I figured I’d try that first and go from there. Applying the tape was easy, following the online tutorial. I did have to wash my legs first to ensure the tape would stick to my skin.

Afterwards, I hopped on the bike without any real expectations. I set my goal for an hour on the bike and figured I’d see how it went. It became clear after my first hard effort ten minutes into the ride that my knee was supported and would be able to take much more than without the tape. I didn’t want to push it too hard, but it was encouraging so I amped up the workout, doing three minute intervals at 70-75% of MHR alternating with two minute intervals at 85-90% of MHR.  As I progressed halfway into my workout, I was feeling confident in the support the KT Tape was giving my knee, but less so about its ability to hold throughout the workout. Inside, on a trainer, you sweat quite heavily and I was sure the tape would give before I did. It didn’t seem to be affected by the sweat, however, and held throughout the duration of my 60 minute, 20 mile ride.

The KT Tape packaging said that it would hold for up to five days, but I had found that hard to believe on a cyclist. The leg motion I felt sure would not only knock it loose, but also prove too much for it to support. I was wrong on both counts. When I was done, I had no knee pain and the tape was still securely on my leg. Instead, I found myself immediately online looking for how to apply KT Tape to correct neck and shoulder pain – the result of working on a computer all day.

 Thanks KT Tape for giving me a simple, cost-effective solution to nagging knee pain from cycling. I look forward to using you in other applications and getting the same awesome results!

Friday is here again- what will you be doing this weekend?  We want to know if it includes KT Tape.  Here is a sampling of weekend plans from our KT Tape fans.  Tell us what you’re doing!

“I’m KT Taping my knees tonight and hitting an 8-mile in the morning.” –Mike 

“I’m KT Taping my heels and running the Tokyo Marathon… wish you guys were here promoting your fantastic product!” –Satoshi 

“Soccer (futbol) tournament in Riverside, CA… this weekend for my 13 year old girl…” –Jose 

“I am KT Taping my knee and hitting 7 miels tomorrow, and 13 miles on Sunday!” –Matthew 

“Tapering for Little Rock” –Daniel 

“I will be recovering from my vacation where, ironically, I did a whole bunch of KT TAPING… loved it!” –Joe 

“Performing massages and taping runners at the Disney princess marathon… they really wished you guys were there! LOL” –Desmond 

“Taping up the foot and shin.  Hyannis half marathon Sunday.  8 weeks to Boston.” –Emmett

“Tapin’ my athletes at the Western Athletic Conference swim and dive championships in San Antonio!” –Steve

 “Just taped up my knee and ankle for the Walk for Life tomorrow morning!” -Amanda

Tell us about your weekend plans, and don’t forget to check out KT Tape’s events and instructions pages before you go!

“I am completely and totally in shock! I could hardly move my knee this morning, and have a HUGE run tomorrow. This was recommended after 3 different knee braces didn’t work/support/relieve. WOWOWOWOW. Immediate flexibility and decreased pain. I can think of nothing I want to do more right now than run my A– off! Thank you. A customer for LIFE! ♥” -Colleen

 “I ran last night with the new taping method and my knee felt amazing!  I had no pain! Thank you so so much for all of your help! I really appreciate it.”  -Karen

“1 easy mile yesterday, no pain, 3 easy miles today, still no pain. Thanks @KTTape.” -Nick

 “Oh my gosh my knee has not hurt since I taped it like the picture you sent!  I can straighten and bend it without it hurting, and working all day with it taped, it doesn’t hurt at all…”  -Amanda

 “Well I want to tell my story!! Ran at the Thunder Road Marathon today and I was going in with sore calves from calf pulls.  I saw the vendor there at the expo and he “taped’ me up- well I ran a half marathon with NO calf pain!  LOVE IT!!!”  -Kelly

 “I would like to begin by saying your product is AMAZING.  I have chronic SI joint pain and used it for the first time at the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon.   Normally, I can only run several miles before having to stop and stretch out my back.  Running was always painful for me and thus, I have been avoiding it for several months.  I have run several marathons and thought I would have to give it up, but my husband decided he wanted to try a half.  He signed us up and I figured that I would have to walk the majority of the way because the pain had been so bad recently.  Fit to Run was taping at the expo so I figured I would give it a try.  I am here to say absolutely NO PAIN at all during the run.  While I did not post my best time I was not far off given the fact that I literally did not train at all for this run.  I was only off by 6 minutes. I am a believer in this tape!” -Shelly

 For a full list of injuries and how to tape, visit the KT Tape Instructions Page.

         This avid KT Tape fan was caught running through the Austin Marathon Expo last weekend- with both knees taped!  Free KT Tape and Taping Demos was offered from  both the Hill Country Running Company and the Texas Running Company booths.   Over 25,000 athletes came through the expo  for the race.  Once again, the most popular injury taped for marathon runners at this expo was the knees- either Runner’s Knee or IT Band Pain at the Knee.  Even the purple chicken couldn’t resist being taped for knee support!

In addtion to runners for the Austin Marathon, we also taped a number of younger athletes preparing for a world karate championship.  Their most common injuries were bruising and swelling, so the KT Tapers taped them for stability and edema.

This weekend there will be MORE free KT Taping at the Gasparilla Marathon in Tampa, FL and the Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, Texas.  Check out the KT Tape Events Page for details. We’ll see you there!