All About Rock Tape: Part 1

You may have recently noticed runners wearing tape around their legs. Fashionable? Maybe. Functional? Definitely. Although not a new concept, using kinesiology tape as a rehab aid has become more widespread among not only athletes, but also anyone struggling with a recent or nagging injury. So how does it work? Rock Tape helps change how the brain perceives pain. Have you ever hit your elbow, rubbed it, and found that it actually feels better? While the physiologically explanation is somewhat complicated, the summary is that Rock Tape provides interference for the pain signals to your brain. When applied properly, the tape helps turn down the intensity of the pain.

With an injury, there is usually some amount of swelling, even if it’s not visibly swollen compared to the surrounding area. Applying Rock Tape decompresses the tissue and has a lifting effect under the skin and between the layers of fascia. This aids in the removal of the bi-products of inflammation, which speeds along healing. It also delays fatigue and normalizes muscle tone, both of which are especially important while rehabbing an injury and practicing corrective exercises. Often, the body compensates for an injury by overusing other muscles, which can lead to additional injuries and delay healing. Rock Tape helps wake-up the lazy muscles, calms-down the overactive compensators and coordinate muscle movement. Teaching the body how to move correctly will help avoid future injuries.

Stay tuned for part 2 in which we’ll highlight common injuries and the proper application of Rock Tape.