Benefits of Rock Tape kinesiotaping, Brighton physio Quentin Guichard explains

Rock Tape kinesiotaping has become very popular with good reason at the Olympics. If you, like us, watched the Olympics in every spare moment whilst it was on, you will have noticed athletes wearing different coloured tape.  Usain Bolt wore some on his thigh to help him speed to his historic triple gold medals.  Novak Djokavic had some on his elbow and Serena Williams wore some too.  So what’s the difference between the coloured Rock Tape and normal taping?

How does Rock Tape kinesiology taping work?

The tape is called “kinesiotape” and the theory is that this taping raises the layer of skin and attached tissue covering a muscle, so that blood and other fluids can move more freely in and around that muscle, delaying fatigue. This keeps the athlete performing for a longer period of time. The tape is also used to promote proper form; the tape is applied so that when the muscles become fatigued, the tape helps to keep them in proper form, for longer periods.

What does Rock Tape help?

We use it to encourage proper form in running, swimming, cycling, diving in fact, just about any sports that depends on accurate and specific movement.  This also helps prevent overuse and “tracking” injuries when muscles have become imbalanced, such as Runners Knee.  Anything from back pain and posture problems to tennis elbow can also benefit from kinesiotaping.

This shows video shows Rock Tape being applied

Is there any proof that Rock Tape Works?

The research into this type if taping is in its early days, but there are some encouraging early studies showing performance improvement (1). Judging by the Olympics, the medical teams and their athletes certainly seem to think it helps them achieve their goals!  I am seeing some great results using this tape. We use Rock Tape because we find it is better than other sorts of tape. Here is how Rock Tape explain the difference. If you are getting any joint or muscle problems in your sport, then give me call to book an appointment to see if I can help.
Physiotherapist
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