What is that Tape the Olympic athletes are wearing in Bejing?

It's Kinesio Orthopedic tape.

What is Kinesio Tape and how does it relate to Massage Therapy?

by Victor Nguyen and Pamela Aiello

The Women's beach volleyball event has got to be the most exciting event at this year's Olympic Games in Beijing especially when USA's duo of Misty May and Kerri Walsh are defending their Gold from Athens four years ago. May and Walsh are ranked #1 in the world but China has received the number 1 seed at The Games because of host country status.

Kerri Walsh, also known as "six feet of sunshine", appeared on the sandy courts with what seemed to look like a black tattoo on her right shoulder. The black markings are absolutely not a tattoo but a therapeutic application called Kinesio Tape. Walsh was reported to be dealing from a rotator cuff muscle injury and this "tape" is providing some much needed relief and repair during the intense competition. Walsh has undergone several shoulder surgeries as well.

What is Kinesio Tape?

Kinesio Taping is used around muscles and joints but still allows for normal full range of motion and activity while the body is in the healing process. Kinesio Taping reduces pain and inflammation, relaxes overused tired muscles and supports the body's structure during daily movement.

Kinesio Tape was developed over 25 years ago in Japan by Dr. Kenzo Kase, and has quickly taken the rehabilitation and sports medicine world by storm. The tape is applied over and around muscles to provide functional support and prevent muscle injury and over-contraction. Another function of Kinesio Taping is to assist rehabilitation. Because our muscles not only assist us in body movement, but they control circulation, lymph flow and body temperature. When they are injured it results in many symptoms that include pain, swelling, redness, increased body temperature, etc.

Kinesio Tape works by acting as a protective stretchy layer over the injured muscle that assists the muscle in its normal function while it is healing. Kinesio Taping is used in conjunction with other therapies including cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation and massage therapy to increase the length of healing time.

For more information on Kinesio Taping and the physiological effects it has on the muscles please check out the links below:

Kinesio Concepts

Physiologial Effcts

Massage Therapy and Kinesio Tape

The Kinesio Taping Method is often paired with massage therapy during a body's healing process but is not required for good results. Massage alone works directly with muscles and joints that may be the cause of pain, discomfort or restricted movement. A therapy session also allows the receiver to bring greater awareness into areas that require much needed attention. They say that "change occurs through awareness".

“What’s that tape doing on Kerry Walsh’s shoulder?” I was asked by a new patient.

“Kinesiotape” I answered.

Maybe you’ve been wondering the same thing. Is Kerry Walsh’s shoulder injured? Maybe not, Kinesiotape is not a structural tape that limits motion and therefore is used to stabilize an injured shoulder or knee or elbow. It’s unique design allows for greater blood and lymph flow while acting on the nervous system to reduce pain and increase functionality throughout the healing process.

What is that black tattoo on Kerri Walsh’s right shoulder? It is called Kinesio Tex Taping which is an elastic taping used in chiropractic, rehabilitation and sports medicine. Developed 25 years ago by Dr. Kenzo Kase, it is now getting recognition and being used by top athletes such as Lance Armstrong, Serena Williams, David Beckam, Robby Ginepri and Justine Henin. Kinesio Tape works by giving support like a flexible brace and facilitates weak muscles with neurological awareness or proprioception. Kerri Walsh had a recent rotator cuff surgery last November. NBC reported that she uses the black shoulder tape for better circulation and her shoulder pain.

Harder to see with the beige Kinesio Taping, Martins Plavins used Kinesio Taping in the huge upset against the US team of Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. Did Kinesio Tape give Walsh and Plavins an unfair advantage to both win? Maybe not, but it pleases me to know that I something I use to help my patients is trusted by top athletes.

Kinesio Taping - Kinesio Tape