Kinesio Tape.

[Techno]

Sorry to go off on a real tangent guys, but has anyone tried the 'tape' that was fairly well used during the recent 'footy' ?
You know...the blue tape down peoples' necks...Some legs...And that nice Mr Balotelli's (?) back.
(Even noticed it being used on an elbow in the tennis.....Sorry Ian !  )

Thinking of giving it a whirl...Even if it only 'works' as a placebo.
Done some very quick research, and the comments seem to be fairly positive.

Any comments, especially from my fellow 'oldies' would be much appreciated.

Cheers - Phil.

[Squirrel]

My first sight of it was during the tennis too, thanks for identifying it for me!

I guess it depends what your condition is and what you are actully trying to achive as to how effective it would be ... in my case of an extremely damaged knee joint, I suspect that a good quality flexible brace would be more cost effective as it is a long life product, where as the tape would need to be constantly replaced.

As a short term aid, it might be very good, and might be worth my looking into for after my op.

Cheers,

Kev

[Techno]

Hi Kev.

Now you know what it's called, might just be worth your while checking it out ?...Sounds quite promising, and if you have a read up you'll see why 'they' reckon it might work better than a traditional support.
It's supposed to last 3-4 days, each time it's renewed...and again, is supposed to survive baths, swimming, showers etc.

I'm going to give it a try on my lower back....Can't do any harm.

I'll be the guinea pig then !

But any info from anyone who HAS already tried it will still be gratefully received !

Cheers - Phil.

[Leon]

I've not read up on this specific product, but my main concern would be making sure it was applied properly?  It's main function is to hold things in the right place, so they can't get pulled in the wrong direction, so if you applied the tape even a little out of line, it could potentially cause more damage than good?

A simple foot problem can cause a limp which then throws your knee and hip out of line as you compensate for the foot pain.  A similar thing could happen with this tape, where your back being held not quite right, could mean your neck compensates for the restricted movement, and you end up with neck problems?

Anyhoo, that's only an opinion based on what I gathered when I used to train regularly, but I'd still check with your doc before self-administering it.

[Techno]

VERY good point Leon !

I believe there are some vids on youtube (?)....I'll check those out first.
I'll need the better half to stick it on anyway....No way I could get it remotely in the right place on my tod.
I'm basically going to use it to give a bit of support to a couple of partially 'knacked' discs and hopefully stop the muscle spasms which hit from time to time.....Mind you, if we we ever get away from this horrible cold, damp weather   and finally get some sort of summer, I reckon that would help more than anything.

Cheers - Phil.

[fred.]

There was a pretty sceptical report on the BBC website about it today. The overall view was that it was mainly a placebo affect as most athletes are highly worried about niggles and the like.

[Squirrel]

I'm going to give it a try on my lower back....Can't do any harm.

I'll be the guinea pig then !

But any info from anyone who HAS already tried it will still be gratefully received !

Be careful, and heed Leon's comments, looking at their web-site positioning the tape correctly is key.

In my case a lot of ligaments and tendons aren't in their normal place, so figuring out where to put the tape would be tricky to say the least

Good luck though, I hope it works for you.

Cheers,

Kev

[Techno]

Thanks Kev.

As I say...I'll give it whirl....carefully...and report back !
Cheers - Phil.

[Annatar]

In the "spiegel", a german news magazine, i found this:

http://www.spiegel.de/spam/

"Ok, this should suffice, ballo. And if your panties are still slipping we'll stick three stripes to the front too"!

[Techno]

Well...

I think it IS actually helping. (Don't think it's just a placebo effect.)
Used it on three somewhat separated occasions now.

First go....Probably by more luck than judgement. Tape positioned so that it DID give some support...almost acting as an external 'muscle' on the lower back.
Felt far less 'glitchy' getting out of bed in the mornings.

Second go....Having left the tape off for a while, found the back getting back to its normal 'whinge/aaargh' mode...Put another three strips down the back...But did it incorrectly.
It gave no support and didn't help in the slightest. (My fault for not thinking about how I was standing as SWMBO put the tape on.)

Third go....Having sussed out why it gave no support on the second go....Put it on 'correctly', so it DOES give support.....Back feels much 'freer' again.
Got out of bed without the customary 'Groan' first thing !

Anyway....Whether it truly does help, I guess the jury's out until they do some proper medical tests ?
And yes...You do need to watch that it doesn't get attached to your 'panties', as "Spiegel" says !
Cheers - Phil

[Hertsblue]

Have you tried going along to the local osteopath, Phil? More expensive than tape, I know, but mine always sorts out my lower back in short order.

[Techno]

Went to a 'sports' physio a few years back now, Ray.
That sorted it out from being a truly awful pain (sciatica) to something that I could cope with.
If it gets worse, I reckon I will try an osteo... Good one close by apparently....But at the moment....
Cheers for the advice though  - Phil.