Boston Herald reporter Dan Duggan has the scoop on Kinesio tape. The black tape has become increasingly popular over the past few years, with players wearing the strategically placed strips to combat injury.
“It just kind of relieves whatever is hurting,” said J.R. Giddens, who
wears the tape on his right knee and back. “It makes it feel better. I
guess it’s the way it lays on the muscles; some pressure release or
something.”
“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.”
“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.”
Now for the scientific explanation:
The tape’s elasticity is the primary difference from traditional
athletic tape. The elasticity allows the tape to lift the skin away
from the body at injured areas, improving blood and lymphatic flow to
help reduce swelling. The tape also is able to facilitate or inhibit
muscular contraction depending on how it is applied. And unlike
traditional tape, Kinesio does not limit range of motion.
There hasn't been much research on the tape, and many doubters believe the benefit players say they experience is more mental than physical.
I've ordered two boxes of the stuff. I need something to combat my wrist pain from all this... blogging.