What is the deal with the "magic tape"?

[indeedproceed]

If you've noticed the black athletic tape on Kevin Garnett's right leg and wondered what it does, you're not alone. Garnett told the Boston Herald he doesn't know anything about it other than it works.

The adhesive, which is called Kinesio tape, isn't worn by only players. When Doc Rivers' back was bothering him before a recent practice, the coach had trainer Ed Lacerte tape him up. He experienced the same relief as his players.

"I don't know what the hell it does, but it makes me feel better," Rivers said. "It's not just a tape; they put it on certain muscles ... I don't know what the hell it does. Maybe it's mental. I think a lot of teams are doing it and it's been good. I know Kevin loves it."
The tape's Asian roots have added a level of mysticism to the product that J.R. Giddens calls "magic tape."

What is this stuff? Is it like those magnet things people wear on their wrists?

[Rondo2287]

http://www.kinesiotaping.com/physiological-effects.php

Thats all I could find

[BudweiserCeltic]

First time I noticed it was with Kerri Walsh during the Olympics. Seemed to have worked well for her:

[yall hate]

this article is good - I remember reading about it during the olympics..

http://www.allegromedical.com/blog/what-the-heck-is-kinesio-tape-and-why-is-olympic-gold-medalist-kerri-walsh-wearing-it-56.html

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/a-quirky-athletic-tape-gets-its-olympic-moment/?em

[indeedproceed]

TP YH, that first article pretty much explained everything.

EDIT: Stuff that explains

Kinesio Taping is basically a technique of applying Kinesio Tape — thin, elastic, color-coded strips of tape – on joints and muscles where support and stability is needed. It is a “non-restrictive” taping method (think the opposite of heavy strapping of ankles), used to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tire muscles and speed healing. It is also used for preventative maintenance, edema and pain management.

The tape itself is an elastic woven tape that comes in a variety of widths, colors and types. It is cut into different shapes and applied with a slight stretch to stretched skin. It may look like conventional athletic tape but it is fundamentally different in that it has a specific elasticity that plays a role in its effectiveness. It is thin, like skin, and is applied by professionals trained specifically for the different applications. It is placed on top of the skin, strategically, often in “waves”, and is effective for 3 to 5 days before it needs to be replaced. You can shower or swim with it. It doesn’t contain latex, which is great for those with latex allergies.

...

When properly applied, you don’t even know the tape is there. The practitioner places it on slightly stretched skin from one end of the muscle to the other, with varying amounts of stretch to the tape. For muscle support/facilitation, the tape is applied from the muscle origin to the muscle insertion. For rehabilitation or muscular inhibition, it goes on just the opposite.

The taping technique is based on the body’s own natural healing process. Rather than “strap down” the muscle, the philosophy is to give free range of motion and allow the body’s own muscular system to heal itself bio-mechanically. Application of Kinesio Tape encourages muscles to function as they would if they didn’t need the tape, which improves not only body movement but circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Pretty simple, but it makes perfect sense. There is, I believe, a psychological aspect as well. If your sore muscles are supported and allowed to heal, you are not in as much pain and you relax. Your performance improves along with faster healing.

I wish I knew how to use this stuff. Seems like it really works.

[feckless]

I wish I knew how to use this stuff. Seems like it really works.


Youtube has some reels with trainers demonstrating how to apply the tape--gives me hope for my knee.

Anyone here tried this tape yet?

[Bahku]

In Asia and Indonesia they also use a special cloth tape that is infused with titanium, and some that's magnetized. I have not used it myself, but I know there are many baseball players, (Daisuke, etc.), that are using the Phiten products, (titanium infused necklaces, bracelets, etc.), and claiming great results, (strength improvement, movement, mobility, and pain relief). I also met many in the Phil. who claimed similar "miraculous" properties. While I tend to be skeptical about such wonder products, there is also some minimal scientific basis for the claims, (but I'm not at all convinced ... yet). Not sure if this is the same, or if it's the Kinesio, (which uses just elastic and tensive preoperties, I believe).

[slamtheking]

I wish I knew how to use this stuff. Seems like it really works.


Youtube has some reels with trainers demonstrating how to apply the tape--gives me hope for my knee.

Anyone here tried this tape yet?

My wife used it on her knees -- mis-aligned patella.  Works very well, she swears by it.  Relieved a lot of the stress on the joint.

[papa shuttlesworth]

I saw it a lot last year on Hasheem Thabeet.  He must have used a few rolls each for each game.

[feckless]

I wish I knew how to use this stuff. Seems like it really works.


Youtube has some reels with trainers demonstrating how to apply the tape--gives me hope for my knee.

Anyone here tried this tape yet?

My wife used it on her knees -- mis-aligned patella.  Works very well, she swears by it.  Relieved a lot of the stress on the joint.

Thank you- I hope to get a run in next week and if I can find the tape I will give it a workout!

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

$89 for a roll of 6 is expensive.

I'm looking forward to hearing how this stuff works from you guys.

My patella's always KILL me and I'm wondering why my doctor recommended patella straps or pressure on the patella instead of this tape which apparently was invented 20 years ago.

[indeedproceed]

$89 for a roll of 6 is expensive.

I'm looking forward to hearing how this stuff works from you guys.

My patella's always KILL me and I'm wondering why my doctor recommended patella straps or pressure on the patella instead of this tape which apparently was invented 20 years ago.

It's gotta be because it is too hard to use effectively. Placebo effect is probably the best the average joe can hope for, and sugar pills are cheaper.

I wonder why more chiropractors don't use it. You figure it is good for 5 days maximum, but treatment every three days for those with health insurance that will cover it? Sounds lucrative.

[zerophase]

I'm not exactly sure what it is but I remember seeing a short video on it during the Olympics last year because either Kerri Walsh or Misty May-Treanor used it on her shoulder religiously.

[zerophase]

I saw it a lot last year on Hasheem Thabeet.  He must have used a few rolls each for each game.

Actually what I remember the Olympics sayings about it is that it's water resistant and can stay on for a few games without needing to be retaped.

http://www.allegromedical.com/blog/what-the-heck-is-kinesio-tape-and-why-is-olympic-gold-medalist-kerri-walsh-wearing-it-56.html

[BBS]

This is the only "magic tape" I know of and really trust in.