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Activities requiring intense concentration and limited body movement create stress that contributes to muscle pain in the neck and shoulder. Long drives, computer work, and similar activities often contribute to neck and shoulder pain.

KT Tape is helpful in relieving pain by providing support to the neck and shoulder muscles spreading the stress across a wider range of muscles. Bio feedback contributes to better posture which eases stress on the neck and shoulder. KT Tape can also relieve pressure on the points of pain in the back and send correct signaling to the muscles that allow them to relax.  KT Tape increases the range of motion when recovering from inflammation and injury.

Livestrong.com recently featured an article that provides further insights into how poor posture affects your body and tips for improving your posture and reducing pain:

Overview

Pain in the upper back while running is most likely due to poor posture. There are several positions your spine can misalign while exercising. If you experience this while running, it is probable that your everyday posture could be improved as well. Avoid letting your head jut past your shoulders, keep your shoulders relaxed from your ears and work on strengthening your upper back to help relieve upper back pain.

Causes of Pain

Everyday activities, such as sitting at a desk, driving, lounging on your couch and even making dinner encourage a slumped, bent-over position where your back and shoulders are rounding forward. Over long periods of time, your body adapts to this position, creating imbalances and losing flexibility that encourages better posture. Being aware of your posture when you’re not running will be the first step in improving your posture when you hit the pavement.

Dropping Your Head

Dropping your head forward so that it does not line up with the rest of your body is one of the main reasons for upper back pain, poor posture and misalignment. Doing this decreases the range of motion in your neck, tightens the muscles in your chest, fatigues your upper back and shoulders, puts extra stress on your lower back and overall hinders your performance. This may be the cause of your running pain and can be corrected by running upright with your ear lobes hovering above your shoulders and your shoulders above your hips.

Relaxed Body

Tension throughout your body can create stress in your upper back and neck. Let your shoulders relax away from your ears instead of hunching them up. Lifted shoulders create a harder position for your arms to move forward and back, making your muscles fatigue faster. Work on stretching your chest, neck and shoulders to loosen up the areas that may be tight for you prior to running.

Upper Back Exercises

Overemphasizing strength exercises such as pushups, chest presses and anterior shoulder raises only encourages the rounded upper back, since these exercises strengthen and tighten the muscles in the front part of your upper body. When strength training, be sure to include exercises for your upper back, such as rows, reverse flyes and pullups.

Considerations

Aside from proper posture and balancing your muscle groups, you should keep your running shoes updated, since running in old shoes can make your stride and posture worse. Replace them every year or every 500 miles, whichever comes first. Consider running on softer surfaces, like grass or a padded track, and focus on running in a forward motion rather than just up and down. If the pain persists or becomes problematic in other areas of your life, visit your doctor for a diagnosis.

For tips on easy upper back exercises, click here. To read the entire article, and for more articles by Jenna Morris, visit Livestrong.com.

Cut a 2″ I strip in half, anchor base on back side of the thumb just proximal (closer to the arm) to the nail. Extend the MCP joint of the thumb (joint closest to the hand), and flex the joint in the middle of the thumb ( with the joints like this, it will look kind of like a Swan’s neck). With 50% stretch, pull the tape toward the forearm and anchor the base ONLY, do not have the tape touch the skin in between the two bases, it will look like a bowstring. Lay the base down. Now flex the MCP joint and this will bring the tape that was originally not touching the skin into contact with the skin: apply. Now take a 2-3″ full I strip, with tension in the middle (like a bandaid) and apply over the painful area.

For other KT Tape applications instructions click here.

For a specific application not listed on the website you can ask a KT Tape expert here.

For professional application and to find a clinic near you click here.

By Kirstie Honeywill-Skye: Back in May 2008 I decided that I wanted to do the Minnie 15k at Disney as I have always wanted to do a race but had never got around to doing it. I finished the race in my regular wheelchair and I found that I loved doing it so much that I wanted to do more. My doctors advised me that because of my illness I should race a hand crank (hand cycle) as a racing wheelchair would not be suitable. I am training with the goal that one day I will make it on the paralympic team; I know I have a long way to go, but I have the determination and drive to see it through.

Last year I found someone to sponsor me a crank chair which I received late February and a few weeks later I was racing in the Princess half marathon where I was the first person to finish. A little after that race, in training, I had a bad crash. It took until the beginning of the fall to get the sponsorship and parts necessary (Thanks to HED, Phil Wood & Co, Spiral & Freedom Ryder) to get back racing again. Luckily the chair was ready just before my next race at the Columbus marathon where I placed 2nd in my division. Since then I have raced in the Marine Corps Marathon(3rd place), New York Marathon(3rd place), Space Coast Marathon(2nd place), West Palm Beach Marathon(2nd place), Disney’s Goofy Challenge(1st place, half and full marathon), ING Miami Marathon(1st place), Tallahassee Marathon(1st place) and Boston Marathon where I came in 1st place even though I fractured my arm around mile 9 of 26, my gears where not working, my chain was coming off and one of my handle bars fell off.

I train every day, either on the roads, trails or indoor trainer. When cycling, at the moment we do a minimum of 20 miles a day and three times a week 60 miles in one session with the goal of constantly increasing mileage to a minimum of 400 miles a week. In the summer we train in temperatures of 90++ its hard, but my attitude is that if I can go a race pace in these temperatures I can go even faster in competition when its cooler! Previously cranking 60 miles would leave my arms, shoulders and neck very sore and it would take me a long time to recover from it, but now with KT Tape I can do several of those training sessions a week. Without KT Tape I would not be able to continue racing and training.

I compete in road races, from 5k to marathons and more, my fastest marathon time to date was at the ING Miami Marathon where I finished first in my division in 1:59:01. The next step for me is to enter into Hand cycling Federation events so that I can be considered for the Paralympics. The qualifying time is 1 km in 2:30 and I can easily do 1m in that time which I have done in a marathon and that gives me a 1 km time of 1:30.

I am determined, focused and hungry for competition, when I race, even though I am in the women’s class I mentally race against the men, as they are generally faster, so they are the ones I want to beat! I know I can become a top competitor and with the help of KT Tape I can reach the wins that I aspire too.

Kirstie, you are truly an inspiration.  We wish you the best of luck in your future races and we are proud that you have KT Tape right there with you.

From Dave Orsborne: I remember the days when the athletic trainer would tape my ankles so tight I thought my feet would fall off from lack of circulation. Then came the fright of tearing it off. I tell people cyclists shave their legs to avoid pain when removing tape. I damn near cry when I pull a band aid off my elbow.

Along came KT Tape. It is flat, thin, and flexible. I’m sure you’ve seen it on TV being worn by a variety of athletes.  It is made of reinforced cotton which is embedded in such a way to allow elasticity and length-wise stretch. The strips are split down the middle for various applications. This equates to stability without restricting movement (or your feet falling off).

As any trainer will tell you, there is a rhyme and reason why tape is applied in a specific manner and location. KT Tape is no different and that is where you must begin learning how to use it. Their website, www.kttape.com, has numerous videos for different applications. There is also the possibility to consult with a KT Tape specialist.

Since I’m an old guy who gets fat in winter, I seem to have many aches and pains. I’ve had multiple surgeries on both knees and arthritis has set in. I knew I was going to start my test there. I used KT Tape on my knees during a couple hours on the bike and at a different time playing racquetball. I had to use 2 KT strips on my knees. When you pull the backing off, the tape was tissue like. Application was easy by pulling the backing off while pressing the tape onto your skin. I also used the tape on my ankle and neck which required more than 2 strips. I continued the test over a few weeks. Simply put, it works!

The amount of relief I experienced varied depending upon where I used it and what problem I had to begin with. My knee pain never goes away but my ankle and neck pain did. It was easy to feel the difference when I did and didn’t use the tape especially in my knees where the pain was most severe. During my activity, I didn’t hurt as much. Afterwards, my joints weren’t as stiff and I felt better more quickly. I had less inflammation.  I wondered if maybe the tape was laced with some prescription pain killer!

When I started running low on my supply, I left the tape on. Come to find out, I felt better the longer it was on. KT says this is normal. It stayed on throughout my showers but did start to peel back at the ends. I was told a tip to make the tape stick better is cleaning your skin with rubbing alcohol before application. I also learned the tape’s formula allows for breathability and works well in all seasons. Leaving it on didn’t cause itching or skin irritation.

KT’s website does a much better job than I can explaining the basis how their tape works. I can tell you it helped me in various applications. I ached less when I used it and recovered quicker. I repeated the using/not using experiment for over a month. To this day, my choice is to use it. The unfortunate irony is I still cringe when I rip it off!

Thanks to Dave and RoadCylcling.com for their great review, we’re glad you love our product as much as we do!

For application instructions click here.

For application adhesion tips click here.

Click here for a KT Tape retailer near you.

I use KT tape on my ankle and it does everything I need it to do!! I also love that I can get it in my favorite color- NEON GREEN! I’m buying another roll to send to my husband for his runner’s knee, I can’t wait for him to try it! –Krystal Smith Johnson

I tape my knee for ITBS, and let me tell you… I went from not able to run at all to pain free long runs!! This stuff is AWESOME! –Steph Kitzman

Had a motocross get off last weekend, messed up both of my shoulders pretty good, had heard of KT tape but never used it till now, your tape ROCKS!!, it has help the pain and gave good support, thanks! –Chris Bowers

So after golfing sense i was 8 and marching on the drumline sense I was a freshman in high school (im now a freshman in college) I have royal screwed up both of my knees! My surgeon would not let me play college golf unless i wore these huge knee braces that were itchy, hot, and sweety and I hated them. Then my PT told me about KT tape and I tried it. I was a little scared at first because i am allergic to tape but i tried a little part of it on my skin and thankfully it was just fine. KT Tape saved my college golf career and a lot of hot itchy skin. sadley i do have to have surgey but that is due to genetics, KT tape saved me a lot of pain thank you KT Tape! –Katlyn J. Anderberg

So I am soo not a runner but I tore my foot and injured my neck in high school (color gurad) and I now work in an er. After many years of running around the er and failed attempts of pt I was really fed up. One of our OCC health girls said to try kt tape. (thank you stacy). This has really saved my life. I also use it for my wrist. I really look like I am going to war going into work every morning but my family thanks kt tape in the end because I am not crying at the end of the 12 hour shift. Thanks KT tape you really saved my feet, neck and wrist from more surgery!! –Karri Anderberg

KT Tape has saved me….So Thank you!!!!! –Carly Brent

Love this KT Tape. First morning in a long time I havent woken up to a stiff, sore, painful SI joint in the lower back. Good purchase, Josh. Good purchase. –Josh Blake

Thanks for all the love!  KT Tape fans are truly the best!

To follow KT Tape on Facebook and share your KT Tape story click here.

So here is how good I think KT TAPE is……

Patient comes in one week ago today. Day prior he was training, stumbles on a trail. Knees goes anteromedial then anterolateral then finally straight to ground smacking his patellar tendon and anterior tib. Pain 10/10 at occurance. Comes in next day 7/10 pain. On crutches wearing patellar brace. He can stand on it. He can’t actively extend his left knee and flexion is 85 degrees and spikes pain. Negative McMurry etc etc etc. So I asked if he’d be willing to try it. He did and above is what I used. He could actively extend to zero. AROM to 125 roughly and could stand from sitting zero pain. He walked out zero pain with crutches in one hand, brace in the other.

He came back today to be retaped. He said it ached without the tape and his gait somewhat antalgic but no crutches and nit brace. Pain 3/10. Taped him again. Pain zero. He actually started hopping around the clinic lol.

You guys have an amazing product that has made a believer of me and my patients, fellow clinicians and just a few folks who ask me about it in passing.

Exceptional work KT TAPE!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Joseph for such a great testimonial!  Keep up the amazing work; that tape job is beautiful!

For taping instructions click here

To find a KT Tape trained Healthcare Professional near you click here.

KT Tape isn’t just limited to the playing field. It has countless uses and applications,  many of which are well suited for the everyday office dweller glued to their computer for eight hours a day.  Pains like carpal tunnel, neck and shoulder pain and lower back pain are often associated with spending long hours at a computer or hunched over a desk.  KT Tape has applications that can help relieve these pains and help you get on with your workday pain free.  Unlike many braces used to help these office injuries, KT Tape is breathable, flexible, comfortable and one application can last up to an entire five day work week.  Now that’s office efficiency.

For a complete list of KT Tape application instructions click here.

We are now making a special call-out to our Facebook fans for personal success stories and testimonials on particular injuries. This “KT Tape Promotion: Tell us your Success Story!” has some added perks too if you participate. We need testimonials from KT Tape users with the particular injuries listed below. Post your story on our wall between 6/21/10 and 6/28/10, and EMAIL your post to PROMO@KTTAPE.COM. In return, we’ll email you back with a discount code for 2 rolls of KT Tape for $20!

If you have any of the following injuries and a success story using KT Tape, please let us know! www.facebook.com/kttape

-AC Joint Sprain
-General Elbow Pain
-Pain at Top of Foot
-Foot Pad Pain
-Peroneal Tendonitis
-Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
-Heel Pain
-Jumper’s Knee
-Lateral/Medial Knee Pain
-Groin Strain
-Hip Flexor
-Gluteus Pain
-Rib Pain
-Middle Back Pain

More and more often, we are seeing the introduction of KT Tape into the rehabilitative process.  It is a strong, elastic athletic tape that provides pain relief, stability & support, & faster recovery for injured or sore muscles and joints-without sacrificing comfort or freedom of movement.  One particular testimony from Kristina Skiptunas, a car accident survivor, describes the effectiveness of kinesiology therapeutic tape in the healing process.

“I was in a car accident nearly 2 years ago and suffered severe whiplash. Since then I have struggled to get relief from the pain. I see a massage therapist weekly who tried your KT Tape on me. I have amazing pain relief from it- the best days I have had in almost 2 years. The tape is truly a miracle for me.”–Kristina Skiptunas

Looking for pain relief after suffering bodily trauma?  Integrate KT Tape into your recovery regimen and hurry into health!

Along with building a good base of strength and fitness, the skills of the game should be worked on, ideally as a team in order to produce a higher level of combined skills, as cricket is a sport that is played in two forms, batting and fielding.

BATSMAN

Batsman aim to stay at the crease for as long as possible, sometimes for periods of over 4 hours. In order to occupy this position, a good bats man most be able to stay focused, have good ball / eye skills, and have the strengths and fitness to make each shot played count.

The power will come from having a strong core, abdominal mid-section and the ability to generate explosive upper body actions, however with that said, using the kinetic energy of the ball as it speeds towards you, only requires a slight change in direction in order to score 4 runs – unfortunately this skill has only be given to a few class bats man.

FIELDING

Fielders need the ability to sustain a concentrated effort for a 6 hour plus period without fatigue, in sometimes very warm conditions. There bodies most be capable of explosive bursts at any given time – such as racing for a ball, jumping for a catch.

Aim to keep your body moving whilst on the pitch, walking and stretching the muscles whenever possible. Keep your mind busy by visualizing exactly what you will do when the ball comes towards you.

When you have a sport that requires explosive bursts, there is going to be soreness, muscle tears and strained tendons.  At KT Tape, we have the quintessential product that addresses these inherent discomforts.   KT Tape is highly effective at providing pain relief, stability & support, & faster recovery for injured or sore muscles and joints-without sacrificing comfort or freedom of movement.

Many benefits are associated with practice of Hot Yoga.  According to Tanya Martinenko of Suite101.com, “Yoga works on many different levels, both physical and psychological; and the deeper, lasting benefits are more noticeable over time and a regular practice. But even just one hot yoga session will leave you feeling relaxed, energized, and renewed; and will fill you with a wonderful sense of accomplishment.” Other benefits include weight loss, appetite control, the curbing of anxiety and depression, and core strength improvement.

With a huge amount of fluid loss inherent in this style of Yoga, one should make sure to show up to each session well hydrated and continue to hydrate throughout the day.

And since you’re likely a KT Tape user, we encourage you to remember to tape up before the class, since it will be harder to tape up when you are extremely sweaty.  Tape up sixty minutes prior to class starting, and you’re good to go. If done properly, the tape won’t come off in hot yoga, no matter how hard you sweat.  Click here to see the IMPORTANT TIPS listed on our website. KT Tape remains in place whether you are bathing in your own perspiration, swimming, or showering.   KT Tape does not restrict motion like other wraps, tapes or bands.  In the world of yoga, you cannot afford to have any motion restricted. This elastic athletic tape will reduce the muscle pain you will certainly experience  during the early stages of your hot yoga journey.  So turn up the heat, shed the clothes and drink copious amounts of water. Twist yourself into health and bring KT Tape along the way.