KT Tape Pro doesn’t stop working. Not even when you do. It is engineered to perform in the harshest environments. It has the tenacity to last for an entire week, through multiple runs, daily showers, in humidity, cold, or in the pool. It features a patented SecondSkin adhesive that will go as long as you do, and—no offense—probably longer. But how does it perform in water?

Dr. Narson, a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Associations’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year in 1999-2000, recently tested KT Tape Pro in the pool. Here is his report:

So, we’ve all seen the Olympic beach volleyball players wearing that funky looking colorful tape on their shoulders and knees. You’ve probably seen it at local triathlons, marathons and other sporting events as well.

There are several companies out there but one in particular is making a special synthetic tape with a waterproof adhesive. KT Tape’s KT Tape Pro has the same elasticity as the original tape but puts it on a more tough synthetic material and keeps it in place with a heat sensitive waterproof adhesive.

Many athletes use this tape to help in the correction of postural dysfunction, to aid the healing of an injury or to give a particular motion some extra assistance (physically and proprioceptively). The problem has always been, when the athlete starts sweating, the tape begins to lose its stickiness and peel off. So, I put this to the test.

I had the KT Tape applied to my shoulder on Saturday. The any hair was shaved and the skin was cleaned with rubbing alcohol. The tape was applied to help stabilize my right scapula (which is winged) and help assist the deltoids in abduction because they’ve really been working overtime in dealing with the winged scapula.

Anyway, since I had the tape put on, I had taken several showers, ran a 5k, went on a rowing machine (aka: Erg) and rowed 10,000 meters, took a long hot bath after rowing and then, on the 4th day, did a 1-mile swim test.  As you can see from the video below, the tape held up very well. So if you are in the market for some good kinesiology tape, you can’t beat the KT Tape Pro. It comes in rolls of pre-cut 10″ strips and in a variety of really cool colors & black. For clinicians, it comes in a large uncut clinic roll that allows you to cut the lengths you need.  KT Tape also has a cool desktop display dispensor for your office.

Check out the video of my 1-mile swim test. As I write this, I’ve also done another 10k run and showered twice more. It’s still sticking and still has retained its resiliency and function.

1-Mile Swim Test of KT Tape Pro

KT Tape Applied Saturday

After…

4 Showers
1 Hot Shower
Running a 5K
Rowing 10,000 meters on an Erg 
Swimming 1.4 miles &
another shower when I got home…
The KT Tape is still on, holding well and still has its original resilience.  The Swim was Tuesday.

So if you’re looking for some extra support for your posture or need to correct some performance dysfunction or simply want to give your muscle and tendons some assistance through a particular movement – then KT Tape Pro is for you. It’s a great quality product, reasonably priced and best of all, it looks really cool too!

On their web site you’ll even find instructional videos for applying the tape for basic problems. Anything more complex and you’ll want to consult with someone like me.

‘Nuff Said.

Dr. T

Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

Check out Todd Narson on Facebook

Original Post

AC JOINT

First, is an updated version of our ac joint pain video. AC Joint injuries can be very painful and take a long time to heal. For most separations or injuries to the AC Joint, this KT Tape application will drastically reduce pain, provide needed support, and speed the healing process.

SHIN SPLINTS

This video is an update for our anterior shin splints application. This application can be used for a variety of ankle issues including ankle sprains, stretched ligaments, inflamed tendons, or general ankle weakness. The added support will give you the confidence and support during the rehabilitation phase of an injury as well as the stability and pain relief during activity.

WRIST

This application is a brand new one for wrist pain. KT Tape is appropriate for Grade I and II sprains, and Grade III sprains after seeking medical attention. KT Tape provides stability through proprioceptive feedback and mechanical support. Additionally, KT Tape is very comfortable and allows for slight healthy range of motion in order to speed the healing process. Other treatments include rest, ice, NSAIDs, and in very severe cases surgery. It is very important to get an accurate diagnosis is moderate to severe cases in order to avoid complications in the future.

We have many more new applications to come so check back tomorrow for more. For a full list of new applications see check here. Leave a comment and let us know what you think? Thx!

The second video is an update for our gluteus pain application. Using KT Tape will help to relieve pressure from the area by providing support, increase blood flow, and stimulate the proper reactions from muscles to alleviate symptoms. These functions help to reduce pain and prevent compensation injuries — injuries that arise from abnormal movement due to existing pain. Rest, massage, and strength training have also been shown to reverse the atrophic effects of sitting too long or inactivity and pressure. And though gluteus issues can be a real pain in the butt, KT Tape can help to relieve the pain and get you moving again.

The third video is for thumb pain. KT Tape has been shown to provide support during motion of the thumb and wrist, and has markedly reduced pain in many subjects. KT Tape also increases circulation to reduce inflammation and speed the healing process. Corticosteroid injections are thought to be successful, but do need to be weighed against the negative side-effects of increased degenerative effects. Surgery has been well accepted and successful in almost all cases, but conservative therapies are highly preferred prior to making this leap. Ice after activity, rest, and avoidance of activities that incite pain are all important steps to avoid surgery. A focus on proper lifting mechanics will also help to avoid these symptoms in the future.

We have many more new applications to come so check back tomorrow for more. Leave a comment and let us know what you think? Thx!

We’ll be posting new apps daily on the blog so check back for more. Leave a comment and let us know what you think? Thx!

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

 The NYC Tri was an Olympic Distance Triathlon that included a 1,500 meter swim in the Hudson River, a 40K bike ride along Manhattan’s West Side Highway, and a 10K run through New York’s Central Park.  You can click here to view the 2011 NYC Tri Race Results.

Despite the great experience the KT Tape team had at the expo, our hearts are with the families of the two athletes who died as a result of the competition.  They will continue to be in our prayers.

 One fan was so excited for his knee taping that he cut his jeans just to get taped up (see picture above).

Most of the attention in cycling is focused on your legs and lungs, understandably. But strong arms can also play a critical role in on-bike performance—most importantly, by fighting off fatigue.

“Having stronger biceps and triceps means your arms will be under less metabolic stress as you ride,” says Inigo San Millan, PhD, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at University of Colorado Hospital’s Sports Medicine Clinic, in Denver.

“Those muscles can then help remove lactate from your system during the ride, instead of producing it.” That means more energy on long rides—and more power for climbs.

The key to efficiency, says San Millan, is to add strength without bulk. Try three sets of 12 to 15 repetitions of the following exercises two to three times a week, using dumbbells that total about 75 percent of the maximum weight that you can comfortably manage.

Hammer Curl

On-the-road benefit:Works biceps to mimic a handlebar-pulling climb.

Try it: Stand straight, a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your sides. Keeping upper arms tight against your body, raise the dumbbells until your forearms are nearly vertical and your thumbs face your shoulders. Slowly lower to original position.

Lying Triceps Extension

On-the-road benefit: Isolates triceps to reduce long-ride fatigue.

Try it: Lie on your back on the floor, knees bent, feet flat. Hold a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing in, arms at your sides. Extend your arms toward the ceiling and slowly bend your elbows, lowering the dumbbells until they’re at either side of your head. Repeat by raising arms toward the ceiling again, not by lowering them back to the floor as they were at the start.

Military Push-Up

On-the-road benefit: Adds strength to ride-stabilizing muscles.

Try it: Assume the push-up position. Tighten your abs and glutes to keep your back in a straight line. Slowly lower yourself to the floor, keeping your elbows against your body and in line with your shoulders. Push back up to return to the starting position.

To read the entire article, visit Active.com. To view KT Tape applications that will support your arms in these exercises, click here!

I have yet to use KT Tape in a marathon setting, however this is how KT Tape helped me. Between my knee and shoulder, it’s easy to say that I am a mess.

I am a resident of the Midwest which, for those of you that haven’t heard, is currently the site of MAJOR flooding caused by the Missouri river and a chain of dams. I am not directly affected by the flooding, only because we are on a hill, but have several friends and family members that have been. For well over a month now I have been filling sandbags at the number of volunteer locations set up in the area.

I got a call from a longtime friend telling me that the Sheriff had shown up at their home and informed them that they had less than three days to evacuate their home. I strapped on my boots, jumped in my truck and headed out to see how I could help. There were POD units being dropped off when I arrived and we began the long process of loading everything they own into these units… and I don’t just mean belongings—central air units, furnace, water heater and every appliance, too.

After the first 14-hour shift I was exhausted and felt like I had just finished BASIC again. The next day I could barely move, but knowing what they were facing was enough to get me going again. A friend told me about KT Tape on Facebook, and I stopped by my local sporting goods store on the way out. With a sense of urgency and overall gloom, I was trying anything I could to lift the spirits of everyone involved. So there I show up… all 6’2″ 250lbs of me, sporting my bright PINK KT Tape, and you should have seen them laugh. I soon was the one laughing, when I was running circles around them. I felt GREAT and pretty soon the roll was gone, between everyone there, and we had to go get more.

Long story short……I have helped to evacuate half a dozen homes, and have had a hand in filling hundreds of thousands of sandbags, helping those I love and those I don’t even know. Without any hesitation, when people ask me how I keep going, I tell them all about the multicolor strips decorating my body, and tell them how amazing this stuff really is.

Thank You KT Tape,

Chad, Nebraska

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Chad!  Keep up the good work!

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.

Are you training, playing with, or coaching your own team of future “Derek Jeter”s?  Here are a few simple exercises for getting you and your team quickly back into playing shape from Baseball Training Secrets, provided by Jon Doyle for Active.com:

Every year coaches and athletes are faced with the same problem. For whatever reason (work, camp, pure laziness) athletes show up out of shape at the beginning of every season, especially after the summer.

Here is the exact program I use to get athletes in shape FAST. It has a high carryover to sports and will not cause overuse injuries! The following four exercises are to be done in circuit fashion.

Jumping Jacks

I’m sure everyone knows how to do these. The biggest piece of advice is to make sure you are making wide arches with your arms and taking your hands from your sides and touch above your head.

Shuffle Splits

Stand with one foot 6-8 inches in front of other foot on balls of your feet. Simply shuffle back and forth switching places of feet. Be sure movement is generated from hips. Hands are on hips and posture is perfect with eyes looking forward.

Burpees

Start by jumping straight up with arms extended. Come down to a squat position, on your toes and hands on ground on front of feet. Then kick legs back into start of a pushup position. Now bring those legs back to the squat position and from there jump up again with arms extended overhead. That is one rep!

Mountain Climbers

Start in push-up position with arms straight. One knee is bent and up near elbow and one leg is outstretched. Alternate “climbing” legs back and forth with speed. Ensure feet and knees always point straight ahead.

The idea is to do all four exercises for 30 seconds each. You’re not trying to go very fast on these. You always want to be in a state where your focus is on breathing properly. You want to always keep your feet moving, but control your heart rate. That’s important because when you’re competing you want your heart rate to be as low as it possibly can. That’s going to allow you not to get clouded in your decision-making…

To read the entire article by Jon Doyle, visit Active.com.

Looking for a way to keep your arm strong all season long? Active.com is also featuring a series of shoulder workouts from Todd Durkin of Fitness Quest 10 using the TRX that are ideal for keeping baseball players strong and flexible.  And don’t forget your KT Tape shoulder applications for injury prevention during these workouts!

Before you head out to the field, you might want to review the basic rules and some of the fun facts behind why you should play from USA Ultimate, the national governing body for the sport of ultimate in the U.S. (see below).

Also don’t forget to tape preventatively for common Ultimate injuries: Knees, shoulders, and wrists can be the first to get sore!

What is Ultimate?

Combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football. The object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent’s end zone. A player must stop running while in possession of the disc, but may pivot and pass to any of the other receivers on the field. 

Ultimate is a transition game in which players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers that occur with a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds, or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than ten seconds.

Ultimate is governed by Spirit of the Game™, a tradition of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the players rather than referees. Ultimate is played in more than 42 countries by hundreds of thousands of men and women, girls and boys.

Why Play Ultimate?

ULTIMATE IS FUN
There is a reason why hundreds of new people begin playing Ultimate each year.  Ultimate is genuinely fun and exciting. The unique flying options of the disc mean that no two throws look alike and the options are limitless. 

It’s relatively new in the world of sports (since 1968) and has been gaining rapidly in popularity ever since. Players of all ages and levels enjoy the unique challenges this sport offers. Once you get started you will be hooked on Ultimate. 

ULTIMATE KEEPS YOU ACTIVE AND HELPS YOU STAY HEALTHY
From the beginner to the elite player, Ultimate is a terrific sport that offers challenges at all levels of play. Ultimate combines athletic skills of running, catching and throwing. Additional skills and athleticism beyond that are left up to the player’s imagination. Many athletes of other sports find the transition to Ultimate both easy and rewarding, as the sport requires many of the same techniques as basketball, soccer and even lacrosse. Whether you play-pick up occasionally at the local park or practice three times a week with your team, playing Ultimate will leave you feeling energized and alive.
 ULTIMATE IS A REAL SPORT
Although Ultimate is sometimes stigmatized as a “tree-hugger” sport, in reality Ultimate is a legitimate sport with a national governing body. Ultimate is a real sport, with official rules, leagues, competitions at all age levels. Ultimate demands extraordinary fitness, endurance and skill; an intellect which understands the physics of the disc and strategies of play; as well as an honest and trusting temperament committed to the Spirit of the Game. Ultimate is a great sport to begin as a child or to start getting into as an adult; due to the sport’s relative newness, the Ultimate family welcomes any player that has an interest. 

ULTIMATE IS EASY TO PICK UP
Ultimate is a great sport for school districts or anyone who is interested in trying something new and different with minimal costs. The equipment needed to play are incredibly few and relatively inexpensive. In addition to a low cost, Ultimate combines athletic skills that children learn through out their physical educations and can be easily applied to the sport of Ultimate. Due to the low cost and the easy transition from other sports, Ultimate is a perfect sport to introduce students.  

ULTIMATE BUILDS CHARACTER
Ultimate develops acceptance of responsibility for one’s own behavior. Participation truly builds character, self-reliance, listening and negotiating skills and leadership qualities due to the sport’s official rules of Spirit of the Game. In addition, more and more top colleges have serious Ultimate teams and playing from a young age may give students a competitive edge when applying to schools.

To find out where to play Ultimate near you, visit the Ultimate Events Calendar.  To read the entire article and learn more about Ultimate, visit the USA Ultimate website.

Welcome to the sneak peek preview of one of KT Tape’s newest applications: Scapular Stability.  You may have seen the KT Tape Team use this application at one of our KT Tape Taping Stations at sporting events across the country lately.  It is quickly growing to be a team favorite with great results for all who try it! 

Here are a few further details on how KT Tape works in this application to provide scapular stability: 

Where Do I Apply KT Tape for Shoulder Instability?

The scapular stability application is applied in relation to three specific landmarks: acromion (bump on the shoulder), inferior angle of the scapula (bottom of the shoulder blade), and the point on the spine that you reach if you drew a line through the first two. These landmarks identify where the muscles are that help to control the scapula, or the shoulder blade.

Why Does Scapular Instability Occur?

Many shoulder injuries can be traced to muscle imbalances at and around the shoulder- for example, a shoulder that is pulled forward due to tight muscles in the chest and weak muscles in the back.  Because we naturally use the chest muscles of the shoulder more frequently, a muscle balance can occur if we do not specifically exercise and strengthen the muscles of the upper back and the back of the shoulder.  This muscle imbalance causes the shoulder blade to be pulled up and forward, creating a smaller space for the tendons, bursae, and portions of some of the surrounding muscles. This situation creates pain.  

How Does KT Tape Help?

Scapula (or shoulder blade) taping is a very useful technique for reducing shoulder pain by equalizing muscle imbalance in the shoulder. This application helps to gently pull the shoulder back into a more balanced and anatomically correct position, often times referred to as “neutral”, which encourages the mid-back and lower trapezius muscles to do their job and anchor the shoulder blade back to the spine and downward.  As this application signals muscles in the back to reposition the scapula and therefore create more joint space, many causes of pain can be alleviated and the healing process can begin.

What Else Can I Do To Prevent Further Pain or Injury?

For prevention, one should implement an exercise program that focuses on strengthening the trapezius and rotator cuff muscles while stretching the muscles in the chest. This KT Tape application along with these exercises and stretching will address the causes of the pain, not merely the symptoms.

 For further questions and information, visit the KT Tape facebook page.