Kinesiology Tape - What is it?

Have you seen the brightly coloured tape that lots of athletes are wearing at the Olympics this summer and wondered what it is? It is called Kinesiology tape and comes in a variety of colours – blue, black, pink, beige and also in a variety of designs including a union jack one that has been worn by some of the GB volleyball squad and also by runner Dwain Chambers. Kinesiology tape was founded about 25 years ago by Dr Kenzo Kase and has become increasingly popular with other brands now being introduced including Rock Tape. All different types of kinesiology tape are very similar but vary on the application strategies that are taught on their courses.

What Does It Do and How Does It Work?

Kinesio tape is not restrictive like normal athletic tape, and plays a different role entirely. Kinesio is designed to support muscles and joints without preventing movement. The tape has patterns on the adhesive side (see fig. 1) that can help to lift the skin in different areas to assist with lymph drainage during inflammation and can relieve pressure on nerve endings, decreasing pain.  Also, because the tape is non-restrictive it allows athletes to fully engage in their sport and not focus on painful areas.

Fig. 1. This picture shows the adhesive side of some pink Kinesio tape. The lines wave horizontally along the tape.  

Kinesio UK suggest the tape can be worn for up to 3-5 days but should be applied an hour before exercise or showering.  There is limited research to show the effectiveness of the tape up to 5 days after the application date and in my experience, no matter how well I stick the tape down it usually starts to peel off and fray after the second or third day.

It can be used for injury prevention and relief from muscle tightness to allow freedom of movement during sporting or everyday activities.  Additionally it can be used to assist in the treatment of muscular strains, shoulder pain (see fig.2) and to reduce swelling by using a variety of application techniques.

Fig. 2. This picture shows how the tape can be applied to help treat biceps tendonitis.

In order to apply it effectively, practitioners need to go on a course which is run by the Kinesio Taping Association. Both myself and Alex have been on such courses that allow us apply the tape effectively to gain maximum benefits.

If you would like to know more about kinesiology taping visit www.kinesiotaping.co.uk or comment on this blog and we would be happy to answer any of your questions. Additionally, you can visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/theringwoodclinic and write on our wall!

25 Random Facts about Sara...

Sara is a graduate of University of Hertfordshire and a member of the Society of Sports Therapists.

Sara has experience working a season at Brumbies RFC (Super 15 rugby team) and with competitors at the Virgin London Marathon.

Sara's full profile is up on the main website's 'about us' page.

Below is a less formal introduction - Sara has written a similar blog post to this one that I wrote in early 2011, 25 random facts about me.

So with out further ado here are the 25 random facts that Sara wanted to share with us...

1) I have a younger sister called Helen and a younger brother called David 

2) My degree in Sports Therapy was 4 years instead of 3 because I did a placement year in my 3rd year in Australia with the Brumbies

3) For my education - I went to a private primary school in Eastleigh; Bournemouth School for Girls for secondary school and sixth form and went to the University of Hertfordshire to get my degree

4) My favourite subject at school was PE and my least favourite were English and Science. Ironically, my best subject in pub quizzes is now the science round!

5) I have completed Bronze, Silver and the majority of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards

6) I have been horse riding from the age of 4

7) I have two horses called Jaffa and Nutmeg

8) I have visited, on holiday, places including the East and West coasts of the USA, Canada, Mauritius, Zante, Corfu, Menorca, Portugal, France, Malta, Ireland and Australia, however I have never been to Scotland

9) I used to have a bad phobia of snakes, however I forced myself to watch TV programs such as 'Venom Hunter' before going to Australia as I thought I would be coming across snakes regularly...however I didn't see a single one! It did make me less scared of snakes.. but I still don't like them very much

10) I was born with little toes that crossed over the top of my 4th toes and didn't have this rectified by surgery until I was 18

11) I was born in Poole Hospital and have lived in the same house with my parents for my whole life (except for when I'm at uni)

12) I love the countryside and when I'm in London can't wait to get back home again!

13) My favourite film is Love Actually, although I can only watch it at Christmas time!

14) I joined the kayaking club at uni and enjoy paddling on white water/rivers (however I don't have a boat so can't paddle very easily currently!)

15) I own a yellow mini which is called 'Custard'

16) I love to bake cakes and other sweet treats in my spare time - some are more successful than others!

17) If I had a super power I would be able to fly because I hate sitting in traffic jams (especially on hot days!)

18) I met my boyfriend Matt at the kayaking club at uni and we have been together ever since

19) I like playing netball and have played in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere!

20) My favourite sport to watch is rugby

21) My favourite colour is pink but I love all pastel colours!

22) Christmas is my favourite time of the year

23) I am still really close to my friends from secondary school even though we all went to different universities across England and Wales

24) I love talking about injuries to other therapists or to members of the public - I find it really interesting and could talk for hours

25) My favourite ride at Thorpe Park is 'Saw' and at Alton Towers is 'Air'!

If you would like to book in with Sara please either call 01425 480030 or use our online booking system. 

Online Booking - Now Available

You can now book your appointments online...

The system is very simple to use.

Just go to the main website www.TheRingwoodClinic.co.uk  and click the book online tab which is in the right hand column of the website.

IMPORTANT

1) Enter your current email as this will be used to send you an immediate confirmation of your appointment

2) If you have a mobile number enter that too - this allows the system to send you an automatic text reminder the day before your appointment.

3) If the appointment slot that you need is not available call in on 01425 480030 as occasionally there may be additional time slots available that are not displayed.

Finally watch the video below showing you how it works:

N/b The video has no sound

Video: A White Blood Cell Protecting the Body... Amazing

Take a look at this video taken under a microscope.

It shows a white blood cell chasing down bacteria in the body. Then engulfing it.

It really is brilliant seeing how the body works on a cellular level.

Ultrasound Treatment at Home?

Swelling? inflammation?

Hire a home use Ultrasound unit - £42 per week.

Ultrasound has traditionally been used in a 'clinical' setting by Physiotherapists (and other health professionals) to speed up the rate of healing and improve the long term quality of tissue repair.

Up until recently it has only been practical to use in a clinic, this has mainly been due to the fact clinical ultrasound units are expensive to purchase, bulky and have required specialist knowledge use.

However, recently an Australian based company have manufactured a small 'home use' ultrasound device, that has been designed to be used by the 'general public'.

*** The picture above shows on the right my clinic based ultrasound unit (pretty large!), with the home use ultrasound device on the left. The home based device has all of the electrics built into the head***

I often use ultrasound within my treatments, however the greatest benefits of using ultrasound can found in using it on a regular basis (up to twice a day). Obviously having daily ultrasound treatments are not practical unless you are a professional footballer (or athlete) with access to professional care.

The good news is that I've now purchased two 'home use' ultrasound devices. These units can be used to speed up the treatment of injuries or complaints including:

• Sprains / strains (with swelling present)
• Muscle spasms
• Tennis and golfers elbow
• Knee and ankle problems
• Back pain
• Heel spurs and achilles problems
• Joint pain
• Tendonitis
• Shin pain
• As well as a number of sports related injuires

If you have just sustained an injury or have a chronic complaint please do email me to ask if Ultrasound therapy can help you.

Why are foam roller exercises becoming so popular?

I'm often talking about using a foam roller to help perform 'self massage' in between treatments at the clinic.

Increasingly I've seen more and more gyms adding 'foam rollers' to their equipment list. You will normally find them in the gym by the matted area used for core and stretching work.

Foam rollers are hugely popular as they are a great way to improve your mobility and 'tissue quality' at home.

Below is a very clear video, by Alex Poole a strength and conditioning coach based in Bristol demonstarting how to use the foam roller.

The video shows him rolling the following areas:

1. IT Band
2. Quadriceps (front of thigh)
3. Adductor (groin)
4. Gluteal
5. Upper back (thoracic region)

There are additional area's that will benefit from foam rolling, but these 5 are a good place to start.

You can buy foam rollers direct from http://www.physiosupplies.com. Get the Blue 15cm by 90cm size.

If you have any questions email me at office@theringwoodclinic.co.uk.

Sport massage, injury treatment & rehabilitation

Covering Ringwood, Bournemouth, Verwood, Fordingbridge, West Moors, Ferndown and New Forest