From Melinda Carlson-Smith, Portland-based freelance writer and supermom:

relief from Babystar the kneewrecker

Who hasn’t seen volleyball phenom Kerri Walsh wearing KT Tape on her shoulder?  She’s like Wonder Woman — an amazing athlete and a new mom to boot – so you can understand that she needs all sorts of special pain relief and support to keep up with her crazy career.  Well, I’m here to tell you – KT Tape isn’t just for pro athlete/superstar moms.  I’m sporting some right now on my left knee, and it’s really helping a lot.  And I didn’t get injured on the volleyball court, or doing anything particularly sporty for that matter.  Let me start at the beginning.

I come from a LONG line of people with knee problems.  I could probably trace it back for generations if people kept track of such things back in the day.  My relatives were tough, hardworking people, though, so I’m guessing they just sucked it up and “walked it off” as they say.

I’ve been using KT Tape as a preventative measure when I run, but I haven’t had any knee problems since it came out, so I hadn’t really experienced the whole “pain relief” side yet.  That was until Sunday, when I tried to stand up from sitting cross-legged on the floor while holding 25 lbs. of squirming toddler.  Ouch.  With my knees, all it takes is one wrong move.  The pain was throbbing while I was at rest and sharp the moment I tried to do ANYTHING.  So I pulled out my hot pink KT Tape, and hid from the toddler to tape my knee (that pretty pink tape is a little too tempting for her, so I have to keep it covered up or she tries to peel it off).

we call her "Babystar"

I used what I call the “runner’s knee deluxe” – an I-band below the kneecap and a Y-band around the knee horizontally for extra support.  Check out the photo – sorry it’s kind of crummy, but it’s hard to take a picture of your own knee!  I also threw an icepack on it after my little knee-wrecker went to bed since I was lying on the couch anyway, catching up on a few of my favorite shows that aren’t “kid-friendly”.  I didn’t take any pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs.

I have to say – wow!  My knee feels 100% better less than 24 hours later.  I’m leaving the KT Tape in place for now because

• it really does provide good support
• you don’t notice it’s there and
• it stays put for 5 days anyway, so why not ?

Give it a try the next time you screw something up.  You don’t have to be a pro to use it.
Melinda

Filed under: Knee Pain, News | December 7, 2009
Tags :drug-free , Knee Pain , Outside Media , parenting