KATRIN HOLTWICK OF GERMANY DURING OLYMPIC WOMENS BEACH VOLLEYBALL MATCH, LONDON 2012
A few years ago, at the Beijing Olympics, I noticed Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh's shoulder covered in very badass-looking colorful tape. It was applied with an intricate criss-crossing pattern and I was intrigued to find out more. As an recreational athlete who tends to overdo it with a fair amount of frequency, I am always interested in what professional athletes do to treat their injuries. Since its their job to get back on the field or court as quickly as possible, they usually have access to the most progressive therapies. It turns out the latest thing is Kenisio Tape and in the London Olympic Games it was everywhere.
Kinesiology tape has a comprehensive array of therapeutic benefits. It is applied to reduce pain and inflammation, and support muscles in movement. The lifting action of the tape relives pressure on pain receptors under the skin, allowing for quick relief from acute injuries. Developed in the mid-1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a well-known Japanese practitioner in chiropractics and acupuncture, the tape was designed in response to the limitations he encountered working with traditional sports tape. Kenisio tape has a texture and elasticity very close to human skin. It is non-restrictive and allows for full range of motion, in contrast to traditional sports tape.
A few weeks ago, I found a doctor in NYC, Dr. Vladimir Friedman, DC, CCSP,CKTP, a chiropractor who uses the Kinesiology Tape as a post-treatment therapy. Nursing a hamstring strain going into a half-marathon, it seemed like the perfect time to see if Kenisio Tape worked. I felt I had come full circle when there on his wall was a picture of Kerri Walsh! While the jury is out as to whether Kinesiology Tape really works, I shaved 5 minutes off my time and broke that elsuive 2hr mark. You be the judge.
For more information on Kinesiology Tape, watch the segment from CBS This Morning below.
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