Kinesiology Tape Info Center

Taping for Injury Recovery & Performance Enhancement

Archive for the ‘SpiderTech Tape (Brand)’ Category

Exciting, New Kinesiology Tape Website Launched

posted by Tape Expert @ 9:46 AM
Thursday, August 12, 2010

Theratape Kinesiology Tape AuthorityIf you want to learn about kinesiology tape, buy kinesiology tape, watch kinesiology taping videos or keep up with the latest kinesiology taping news, be sure to check out the new, improved Theratape.com. For over a year, Theratape has steadily grown to become the online authority for all things related to kinesiology tape. Not content to rest on its laurels, a new, vastly improved Theratape.com was launched just last week.

Here are some of the new and exciting features:

  • KT Tape (Kinesiology Therapeutic Tape) Precut Strips are now available and on sale. KT Tape is the only brand that offers rolls of pre-cut strips of kinesiology tape. Each 10″ strip can be easily torn from the roll, ready to apply. Each strip is also serrated down the middle, allowing it to be applied as a “Y” strip with no additional cutting.
  • KT Tape Pro. Theratape also carries the new KT Tape Pro line. KT Tape Pro is a premium kinesiology tape with an advanced adhesive that is 25% stronger than most other kinesiology tapes. KT Tape Pro is available in single uncut rolls and bulk uncut rolls, and is extremely well-priced, with 20% more tape than competitive brands.
  • The Theratape Education Center is a companion site to Theratape.com, and can be accessed directly from the top navigation bar. The Education Center contains the internet’s largest collection of kinesiology taping information, and is growing daily. Here you can download over 90 different printable application instructions for a wide variety of injuries or for athletic performance enhancement. If you prefer to watch, you can view the same number of videos, featuring professionals showing how to apply kinesiology tape. You can also access testimonials, news posts and detailed product specifications and information in the Theratape Education Center.
  • Quick Order Pages for customers in a hurry. For those with a list of items to order, Theratape now offers Quick Order pages for each of the four major kinesiology tape brands – Kinesio Tape, KT Tape, RockTape and SpiderTech Tape. Each Quick Order page contains the entire product listing for that brand. Simply enter the quantities you wish to order beside each product and click Add to Cart, and you’re ready to check out. (And, of course, Theratape still provides its unsurpassed Same Day Shipping service for all orders placed by 2 pm central time.)

In addition to the newly added KT Tape, Theratape also offers products from these leading kinesiology tape manufacturers:

  1. Kinesio Tape – the brand that ignited the kinesiology taping explosion at the Beijing Olympics. Kinesio Tex Tape is available in single rolls (2″ x 16.4′) and bulk rolls (2″ x 105′).
  2. RockTape – a premium kinesiology tape designed to enhance athletic performance. RockTape is available in 16 different colors and patterns (including camo, cow and biohazard), and comes in single rolls (2″ x 16.4′) and bulk rolls (2″ x 105′).
  3. SpiderTech Tape – the only company that offers precut kinesiology tape for specific parts of the body. SpiderTech’s pre-cut kinesiology tape comes in individually packaged applications for the ankle/foot/shin, calf/achilles, knee, groin, hamstring, hip, lower back, upper back, neck, shoulder, elbow and wrist. There are also 3 sizes of lymphatic applications designed to reduce severe swelling, edema and lymphodema. SpiderTech recently introduced SpiderTech Gentle, with a special gel-like adhesive developed especially for sensitive or fragile skin.

This is only the tip of the iceberg for what you can find at Theratape.com. Check it out yourself – we know you’ll be impressed!

Wall Street Journal Profiles Kinesiology Tape

posted by Tape Expert @ 9:44 PM
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

April 27, 2010
“Bright-colored strips of tape in odd patterns are increasingly being seen on professional and recreational athletes. Kinesiology tape can help take pressure off overused muscles, reduce swelling and alleviate pain from injuries, say companies that sell it. Scientific evidence is mixed, but clinicians say it seems to work—at least in the short term. ”

Nicole Branagh wearing SpiderTech TapeSo begins a detailed article on kinesiology tape in today’s Wall Street Journal. Overwhelmingly positive overall, “Putting on the Stripes to Ease Pain” discusses how kinesiology tape has rapidly established itself in North America and introduces the companies that have taken it to a new level.

The three major manufacturers are profiled, including Kinesio Tex Tape, SpiderTech Tape and RockTape. Each has established itself by virtue of a specific market niche – Kinesio Tex Tape as a clinical product, Spider Tech as the leader in precut kinesiology tape for different body parts, and Rock Tape as a premium performance-enhancing tape for athletes.

As kinesiology taping applications are being seen on more athletes in more sports, the demand for the products at the consumer level is exploding. Many online retailers sell only to health professionals, but all three brands are available to the general public on a specialty kinesiology tape website, www.theratape.com.

If the validity of kinesiology taping was ever in doubt, this profile in the Wall Street Journal has given it the official “big business” stamp of approval.

Click Here to read the entire article.

How SpiderTech Gentle Prevents Skin Irritation

posted by Tape Expert @ 1:05 PM
Thursday, April 15, 2010

Spider Tech Gentle Kinesiology Tape for Sensitive Skin

My last post introduced an exciting new product to the kinesiology taping industry–the first kinesiology tape for individuals with sensitive skin. Made by the makers of industry-leading SpiderTech Tape,  the new product line is called SpiderTech Gentle. This post will examine the issue of skin irritation with kinesiology tape and discuss the features of Spider Tech Gentle tape that minimize this problem.

What Causes Skin Irritation with Kinesiology Tape?

All of the leading kinesio tape brands utilize a hypoallergenic acrylic adhesive that is applied to the back of the tape in a wave or tread pattern. The effect is that of ‘ridges’ of adhesive that adhere to the skin, with small troughs in between to channel away moisture. As the body moves, the ridges of adhesive pull lightly on the skin’s surface, setting up a sensory neurofeedback loop that is responsible for the dramatic pain relief benefits associated with kinesio taping.

While the vast majority of kinesiology tape users never experience skin reactions, this pulling action may be enough to generate redness or itching in individuals with very sensitive or fragile skin. (For a more detailed discussion of this issue, see my post, Kinesiology Tape – Avoiding Skin Irritation.) Other individuals with fragile skin may do fine while the tape is on, but experience problems from damage to skin cells when the tape is removed.

What Makes SpiderTech Gentle Different?stratagel_adhesive

SpiderTech’s patented Stratagel™ adhesive is a moist, gel-like substance that can adhere uniformly across the skin’s surface. This smooth, adhesive layer lacks the ridges that can cause skin irritation.

Less Skin Damage when Spider Tech Gentle is Removed

Skin Cell DamageThe ridges of solid acrylic adhesive material on conventional kinesiology tape adhere strongly to the top surface of the skin. Individuals with sensitive or fragile skin, such as the elderly, infants and children, may experience damage or removal of skin cells when the tape is removed.

The moist, gel-like surface of the StrataGel adhesive adheres smoothly to the skin’s surface, but is able to separate from the skin more easily when the tape is removed, greatly reducing the incidence of skin cell removal, skin cell damage, redness and irritation. It can be comfortably worn for up to 3 days, followed by immediate reapplication if desired.

SpiderTech Gentle kinesiology tape for sensitive skin is available in both rolls and precut kinesiology taping applications.

SpiderTech Introduces ‘Gentle’ Kinesiology Tape

posted by Tape Expert @ 11:32 AM
Thursday, April 15, 2010

spidertech_gentle_banner

Kinesiology Tape for Even the Most Sensitive Skin

Great news for kinesiology tape lovers who struggle with rashes or itching due to sensitive skin. The SpiderTech Tape company has just introduced a full line of kinesiology taping products for those with sensitive or fragile skin.

SpiderTech Gentle Kinesiology Tape for Sensitive SkinAlready the industry leader in precut kinesiology tape applications for a wide range of body parts, Spider Tech has now made each application available in the Gentle line, as well. For those who prefer to work with rolls of kinesiology tape, SpiderTech Gentle is also available in SpiderTape rolls.

Spider Tech Gentle tape utilizes a new gel-like adhesive called Stratagel™ that adheres smoothly to the skin, maintaining its grip, without causing irritation. Its high moisture content allows it to grip the skin without irritation, allowing it to be worn comfortably for up to 3 days.

How to Apply the SpiderTech Precut Hamstring Spider

posted by Tape Expert @ 5:00 AM
Thursday, April 1, 2010

 

SpiderTech Hamstring Spider

My last post outlined the benefits of the SpiderTech Hamstring Spider – a precut kinesiology tape application engineered for injuries to the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh. The hamstrings are responsible for hip extension, such as the push off action in sprinting and jumping. Hamstring injuries can be very painful and long-lasting, affecting performance for months after the actual trauma. Kinesiology taping can relieve pain, reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process after acute injuries. Many athletes who use kinesiology tape are able to continue training and/or competing as they recover from these types of injuries.

This post provides the SpiderTech Tape HamstringSpider application instructions in both printable and video formats, showing exactly how the tape should be applied for best results.

pdf_icon Application Instructions for the SpiderTech Tape Precut Hamstring Spider

The Easiest Way to Tape a Hamstring Injury

posted by Tape Expert @ 9:07 PM
Wednesday, March 31, 2010

st_hamstring_logo

The SpiderTech Tape company has created a comprehensive line of precut kinesiology tape applications for different parts of the body. Each application comes individually packaged with illustrated step-by-step instructions. These therapeutic tape products provide a convenient and inexpensive way for non-health professionals to apply kinesiology tape effectively. This is the second in a series of blogs describing the different SpiderTech applications, their uses and how to apply them.

 SpiderTech Hamstring Spider Benefits 

st_hamstring_icons
♦ Relieves pain and swelling from hamstring injuries
♦ Speeds recovery after intense exercise
♦ Provides protection as hamstring  injuries heal
♦ Improves strength of injured hamstring muscles
♦ Provides support without restricting range of motion
♦ Prevents or relieves cramps, spasms or stiffness
♦ Assists with hamstring/quadriceps imbalance
♦♦♦♦

Application Instructions for Pre-Cut Hamstring Kinesiology Tape

Begin by tearing all of the perforations on the backing of the tape. Clean the skin with soap and water or rubbing alcohol before applying tape.

st_hamstring_instruction1. Subject should be lying on stomach with leg relaxed. Remove half of the backing from section 1 and apply to the rear thigh, directly below the gluteal fold. Repeat with the other half of section 1. Gently rub the tape to activate the adhesive.

2. Place the hamstring muscles in a stretched position by having subject lie on side with leg straight and stretched forward. Begin peeling the backing from section 2 and apply directly over the hamstring muscles. It is not necessary to stretch the tape as it is applied.

3. With the hamstring muscles still stretched, remove the paper backing from the outer arm of section 2 and apply the tape directly over the center of the injured groin area. Rub each section of tape immediately after applying to activate the glue.

4. Remove the backing from the final arm of section 2 and apply it along the lower boundary of the groin muscles with no additional stretch in the tape. Patient can now relax the leg and move freely. Avoid exercise or bathing for one hour after applying the precut kinesio tape to allow the adhesive to fully set.

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape.

My next post will include the application video for the SpiderTech Groin SpiderTape.

 SpiderTech Precut Groin Kinesiology Tape

My last post outlined the benefits of the SpiderTech Groin Spider – a precut kinesiology tape application engineered for injuries to the adductor muscles in the groin area. The step-by-step application instructions were described. This post provides the SpiderTech Tape Groin Spider application instructions in both printable and video formats, showing exactly how the tape should be applied for best results.

pdf_icon Printable PDF Document
Application Instructions for the SpiderTech Tape Precut Groin Spider

Video – How to Apply SpiderTech Groin Kinesiology Tape

SpiderTech Precut Kinesiology Tape – Groin

posted by Tape Expert @ 1:31 PM
Sunday, March 28, 2010

st_groin_logo
The SpiderTech Tape company has created a comprehensive line of precut kinesiology tape applications for different parts of the body. Each application comes individually packaged with illustrated step-by-step instructions. These products provide a convenient and inexpensive way for non-health professionals to apply kinesiology tape effectively. This is the first in a series of blogs describing the different SpiderTech applications, their uses and how to apply them.

SpiderTech Groin Spider Benefits

st_groin_spider_icons♦ Relieves pain and swelling from groin pulls or tears
♦ Speeds recovery in overused muscles
♦ Provides protection as groin injuries heal
♦ Improves strength of injured groin muscles
♦ Provides support without restricting range of motion
♦ Prevents or relieves cramps, spasms or stiffness

.♦.

Application Instructions for Pre-Cut Groin Kinesiology Tape

st_groin_instructionsBegin by tearing all of the perforations on the backing of the tape. Clean the skin with soap and water or rubbing alcohol before applying tape.

1. Subject should be lying on back with leg relaxed. Remove half of the backing from section 1 and apply as high as possible over the groin area. Repeat with the other half of section 1. Gently rub the tape to activate the adhesive.

2. Place the groin muscles in a stretched position by abducting the leg. Remove the backing from the top arm of section 2 and apply  along the upper boundary of the groin (adductor) muscles. It is not necessary to stretch the tape as it is applied.

3. With the groin muscles still stretched, remove the paper backing from the middle arm of section 2 and apply the tape directly over the center of the injured groin area. Rub each section of tape immediately after applying to activate the glue.

4. Remove the backing from the final arm of section 2 and apply it along the lower boundary of the groin muscles with no additional stretch in the tape. Patient can now relax the leg and move freely. Avoid exercise or bathing for one hour after applying the precut kinesio tape to allow the adhesive to fully set.

How to Apply Kinesiology Tape.

My next post will include the application video for the SpiderTech Groin SpiderTape.

Night Train Tea Uses SpiderTech
The Gold Medal run of the Night Train with Steve Holcomb’s World Champion USA1 4-man bobsled team may have had some friendly “spiders” along for the ride. Shortly before the Vancouver Olympics, the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation finalized a two-year sponsorship with SpiderTech, global leader in precut kinesiology tape technology.

SpiderTech products were used before and during the 2010 Winter Olympics, and will continue to provide therapeutic support to elite American bobsledders and skeleton athletes in future competitions. USBSF CEO, Darrin Steele, commented that SpiderTech products will “create a competitive advantage, both on the field and in recuperation.”

precut_kinesiology_tapeKinesiology tape is now used by athletes of all ages and levels because of its amazing ability to relieve pain, reduce swelling and inflammation and accelerate healing. Most important to competitive athletes is the fact that this is accomplished without restricting range of motion. This allows athletes to continue to train and compete normally as they recover from many injuries, without worrying about developing secondary injuries from compensatory movement patterns related to restrictive taping.

Precut kinesiology tape, made by SpiderTech, is a perfect choice for those who want the benefits of kinesiology taping, but have no training in cutting and applying tape from rolls. Each SpiderTech application is pre-cut for a specific body part. The back of each application is labeled and numbered, making it easy to follow the step-by-step instructions included in every package. Currently, there are 16 different applications available for virtually every part of the body. Individual packages are convenient to carry and apply. No scissors or cutting are required – just open the package and put it on.

Kinesiology Tape – Avoiding Skin Irritation

posted by Tape Expert @ 11:21 AM
Friday, February 26, 2010

applying_kinesiology_tapeKinesiology tape is made from cotton with a medical grade acrylic adhesive. It is latex-free and non-medicated, making it hypoallergenic for virtually everyone except those with allergies to any type of adhesive. With this said, however, a small percentage of kinesiology tape users do experience irritation, itching or redness after wearing kinesiology tape. The purpose of this blog is to examine the most common causes of skin irritation, and present some possible solutions.

True allergic reactions to kinesio tape are rare, so most rashes come from simple skin irritation. Following are some of the most common causes:

1. Too Much Stretch in the Tape – When kinesiology tape is applied with a great amount of stretch, it pulls on the skin as it attempts to contract back to its unstretched state. If only a small piece of tape is being used (as in the RockTape Pain Zapper technique), this doesn’t usually create a problem. When larger areas of skin are covered with extremely stretched tape, however, the potential for irritation or even blistering is much greater.

Solution: Be careful not to overstretch the tape when you apply it. Kinesiology tape is already stretched 25% on the paper backing, so an effective stretch can be achieved even when applying with “tape off tension.”  In general, the larger the area being taped, the less additional stretch is necessary during application

2. Applying Stretch to the Anchor Ends – The anchor ends of the tape are the final 1-2″ of every strip. When these ends are stretched during application, they will pull on the skin with every movement. After a period of time, this can cause redness and irritation.

Solution: Regardless of the amount of stretch used in each strip of tape, the final 1-2″ should always be applied with absolutely no stretch.

3. Hair Follicle Irritation in Unshaved Areas – The benefits of kinesiology taping are achieved via direct contact between the tape and the skin. A properly-applied kinesiology tape application provides continual sensory input on the skin’s surface. If the taped area has significant amounts of hair, this sensory stimulation is transmitted to the hair follicles, which can become irritated.

Solution: Clip excess amounts of hair close to skin level before applying kinesiology tape.

4. Skin Irritation in Freshly Shaved Areas – Shaving removes the uppermost layer of skin, exposing fresh skin for the first time. Because this skin hasn’t had time to “toughen,” it is more easily irritated, especially if the area is not shaved regularly.

Solution: To avoid hair follicle irritation from shaving, try clipping the hair close to the skin rather than shaving. Clipping leaves the top layer of skin intact, decreasing the likelihood of irritation.

If the above precautions have been taken and skin irritation persists, the following products have been found to be helpful when applied to the skin prior to taping: Liquid Milk of Magnesia, Benadryl Itch Stopping Gel, Maalox, Skincote and Tens Clean Coat Skin Wipes.

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