What is that tape athletes were wearing at the Olympics?

A few weeks ago, millions of people around the world were glued to their TV screens watching the 2012 Olympic Games. It is incredible to watch the planet’s top athletes doing what they do best.

During and after the games, there were many questions asked. One of the most popular questions was “What is that tape the athletes are wearing?”  In fact, a popular website listed it as number 1 on their list of “Top 5 Odd Olympic questions”.

So what is this brightly coloured tape which was so popular among this year’s Olympians? Is it a fashion statement, a passing trend or is it really beneficial?

This tape is called Kinesiotape and can be used to treat various conditions, not only sports injuries. It can be safely used on children, adults, pregnant women and animals.

What is surprising to many people is that Kinesiotape is not new at all. It was invented by a Japanese chiropractor, Dr Kenzo Kase, in the 1970s and became really popular after rolls of tape were donated to various countries at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.  Fans of Kinesiotape include Serena Williams, Novak Djokavic, Mario Balotelli and Lance Armstrong. In his book, “Every Second Counts”, Armstrong writes  “something that was better than any laser, wrap, or electric massager. He had The Tape. It was a special hot-pink athletic tape that came from Japan and seemed to have special powers.”

In 2009, I qualified as a certified Kinesiotaping practitioner with the KTAI (Kinesiotaping Association International) and use this tape on a regular basis with many different patients. it has been used to successfully treat many conditions including whiplash, lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, tendinopathies and TMJ Dysfunction. Its varied uses have made it an incredibly beneficial treatment tool for physiotherapists worldwide. 

Kinesiotape is 100% cotton, waterproof and can be worn for 3-5 days making it possible for athletes to use while competing in various sports.

It is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the patient’s ability to move.

The key to the tape’s success lies in its ability to microscopically lift the skin. This creates ridges in the skin which allow for better flow of blood and lymphatic fluid, resulting in decreased swelling and bruising. It also has the ability to re-educate the neuromuscular system,  reduce pain and inflammation, enhance performance, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing.

Due to its popularity and success, many companies have tried to copy Kinesiotape and assorted rolls of coloured “sports tape” can be bought at shops everywhere. Understanding how and where to use the tape requires a detailed knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics. To achieve the desired results, Kinesiotape should only be used under supervision of a certified Kinesiotape practitioner. It’s important to be aware that effective and successful results are dependent on applying the correct taping applications for a specific condition.

If you have any questions or think that Kinesiotape may be able to help your condition, please contact me.