Kinesio Tape at the Olympics

Many of you probably saw athletes at the London 2012 Olympics sporting brightly coloured tape in strange patterns.  You also might be wondering what it is and why so many of the athletes are using it.  Is it just a fad?

Kinesio Tape on a Cyclists knees

Well it’s definitely not a fad and is becoming increasingly used by professional athletes in many sports including Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins during the tour de france as well as Super Rugby players here in Australia.  The tape is designed to help support the muscles and joints whilst not restricting movement as a traditional, rigid tape does.  The advantage for water polo players is it is also waterproof!

The tape is called Kinesio Tape and was designed by a Japanese doctor in the 1970s, but gained notoriety after widespread use at the Beijing Olympics.  The tape is cut to fit the region by the trained health practitioner so that the method is specific to each individual’s anatomy and requirements.

Why use the tape? It has applications in rehabilitation from injury recovery or to help support an injured or over worked muscle/ joint to support through an event.  Many of the athletes at the Olympic Games have been training for many years and are unlikely to reach the games in 100% fitness.   They are often carrying small niggling injuries, hence the use of the tape, to get them through an important event.  This is an important reason for cyclists use of the tape, especially during the longer 3 week grand tours.

Is it helpful for weekend warriors and non-athletes alike? Yes definitely in fact in clinic we often use it to help rehabilitation from injury or aid our patients to still compete in that 10km fun run despite a slight muscle strain.

Clinical experience has shown us that the tape can help release stiff lower backs during latter stages of pregnancy, allowing an increased range of movement in the lumbar spine.  Other uses in clinic have included- reducing Iliotibial band tension in cyclists and runners, helping support the knee cap in Patella tracking disorder, lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling from a sprained ankle.

Dr Drew Blatchford –Osteopath-

City Osteopathy West, Suite 1104, 488 Bourke St, Melbourne, 3000. Ph 03 9663 5450. 

www.cityosteopathy.com.au