The newest player on the kinesiology tape scene is PerformTex Tape. Marketed as a low cost, high quality alternative to the leading brands, PerformTex has been unrolled in 3 colors – Speed Green, Titanium Grey and Jet Black. PerformTex is currently available to consumers online only, at Theratape.com, a specialty kinesiology tape retailer. At only $8 for a 16′ roll, it is less than 2/3 the price of the other major kinesiology tape brands.
John Jarvis, Marketing Director for Perform Tex, was recently interviewed by Physical Therapy Products, an online resource for physical therapists. Following is the transcript of the interview:
Physical Therapy Products: How does PerformTex Tape differ from other therapeutic tapes?
John Jarvis: Most tapes have a single wave-like adhesive pattern. PerformTex Tape has its patented twin-groove pattern for increased performance and results. Add in our aggressive marketing and pricing strategy, and you not only have what many consider the next generation of kinesiology tapes, but, just as important, a more accessible product.
PTP: What makes the taping technique so effective?
JJ: Truthfully, the effectiveness of the technique belongs to the ingenuity of the practitioners who have taken the “theory” of kinesiology taping and evolved it to their needs and the needs of their patients. Therapists who are willing to challenge themselves have made this modality as popular as it is today.
PTP: What is the benefit of the twin-groove technology in PerformTex Tape?
JJ: Our patented, twin-groove technology is setting the new standard in elastic therapeutic taping with improved breathability and moisture-wicking capabilities that increase wear time, overall comfort, and ability to prevent adhesive breakdown incurred from moisture entrapment. This, coupled with our grasping “pressure diamond” pattern, encourages deeper fascial penetration for increased rehabilitative results.
PTP: Which patients are good candidates for PerformTex Tape?
JJ: I have been in the elastic therapeutic taping game for almost a decade and have personally observed a wide range of candidates, from those looking to improve performance to others who need treatment for acute and chronic conditions. Those affected by orthopedic to neurological conditions also benefit immensely from the use of a product such as PerformTex Tape.
PTP: Before patients use PerformTex Tape, what do they need to know about how long the tape should stay on, and how it’s affected by sweat, shower water, or soap?
JJ: PerformTex Tape stays on for up to 5 days and is not affected by sweat, shower, etc. This is why the tape is so beneficial to use within a clinical setting, it allows you to use other modalities such as hydrotherapy and topical agents, then allows you to reinforce your therapy with PerformTex Tape.
PTP: What has supported the boom in popularity of PerformTex Tape?
JJ: It’s our business philosophy that has brought on so many of the world’s leaders in kinesiology taping to join our ranks. We always believe that it’s important to have the input of the consumers we look to serve, as we not only intend to act decisively to improve and advance this revolutionary tape and technique, but to ensure its placement in the lives of each individual who has a need for its almost miraculous abilities.
PTP: Are there any trends you see affecting the future of your company and the expansion of your product lines?
JJ: I will never forget and will always thank the many contributors that have made elastic therapeutic taping what it is today. We will continue to innovate and expand with the support and feedback of the same community of professionals, always remembering that no one person is bigger than the movement we ALL created, or what we look to create from this point forward.
Running a website that sells kinesiology tape and writing a kinesiology taping blog keeps me up to date on taping terminology. With all of the brand names, generic terms and even mis- spellings, it can be difficult to keep all of today’s “kinesio” terms straight. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned kinesiology taping professional, you should find the following kinesio glossary useful.
Kinesiology Tape is a generic term for a thin, stretchy therapeutic tape that comes in assorted sizes, colors and configurations. Best known as an athletic tape or sports injury tape, it is also widely used in medical and rehabilitation settings such as physical therapy clinics, chiropractic practices and hospitals.
There are currently 4 major manufacturers offering quality kinesiology taping products both domestically and internationally. They are Kinesio® Tape , KT Tape™, RockTape and SpiderTech™ Tape.
Rolls of kinesiology tape come in assorted lengths and widths. The most common size is the 2″ x 16′ single roll, which all of the major kinesiology tape brands offer. Several manufacturers also offer bulk rolls rolls that are 2″ wide and 105′ (Kinesio Tape, RockTape) or 125′ long (KT Tape).RockTape also offers 4″ wide rolls in both single and bulk roll sizes.
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KT Tape offers rolls of tear-off, precut strips in 5″, 10″ and 18″ strip lengths. The 5″ and 10″ strips are perforated longitudinally, allowing them to be applied in either “I” or a “Y” formations – the two most common application techniques. Precut strips eliminate most of the cutting that is required to apply kinesiology tape from rolls.
More recently, SpiderTech introduced SpiderTech PowerStrips, precut X, Y and I strips in convenient accordion-packs. The X and Y strips are 2″ wide by 8″ long, and the I strips are 1″ wide by 6″ long.
SpiderTech is the only brand that offers individually packaged applications, already precut for different parts of the body. The step by step instructions included in each package allow even those with no kinesiology taping experience to apply the 16 different “Spiders.”
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Although Kinesio® Tape and Kinesio Tex® Tape are both trademarked brand names, these terms have become to kinesiology taping what Xerox is to photocopying. Many people now use the term Kinesio Tape to refer to kinesiology tape in general, which isn’t a bad thing at all for Kinesio® sales! Common misspellings I have seen in search terms include kinesiotape, kinisiotape, and so on.
Each of the manufacturers and many medical supply companies now sell kinesiology tape. Many sites, however, sell only to licensed health professionals. Theratape.com is the only website specializing in kinesiology tape and carrying a complete line of products from all 4 major brands. Theratape also provides a comprehensive Education Center with detailed information on each of the brands, plus instructional videos and printable application instructions. No registration is required to purchase from Theratape, and all educational resources are available free of charge.
If 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:
In addition to the newly added KT Tape, Theratape also offers products from these leading kinesiology tape manufacturers:
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!
This is the first in a series of posts providing instructions for taping a variety of conditions related to pregnancy.
The physical changes associated with pregnancy put strain on many different parts of the body. The accompanying swelling, aches and pains can make the latter stages of pregnancy extremely uncomfortable. With the precautions against taking medications while pregnant, it can seem as though there are few solutions to deal with things like back pain, swollen feet, carpal tunnel and more.
Kinesiology taping is an ideal solution for all of these issues. The soft, elastic tape is comfortable to wear and it contains no medications. It’s hypoallergenic acrylic adhesive is safe and non-irritating. And, the best thing about kinesio taping during pregnancy is that is can dramatically relieve many of the physical discomforts that can make life miserable.
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Begin by cutting 2 pieces of tape, approximately 3 feet long. Remove the backing from the end of one piece and apply it over the hip area (photo 1). Have the subject hold her arm above her head as you apply the kinesiotape in a spiral pattern along the lower margin of the abdomen, over the ribs and up the back, finishing just above the opposite shoulder blade.
Repeat the process starting on the other hip.
Cut two more strips of kinesiology tape, each approximately 15″ long. Have subject hold both arms above her head.Apply the end of the first strip just above and to the side of the pelvic bone, then run the rest of the strip straight up over the abdomen, finishing on the ribcage just below the breasts.
Repeat on the other side with the second strip of tape.
Rear view of completed taping.
Remember that, if properly applied, most kinesiotaping applications can be worn for up to 5 days. This makes kinesiology tape a convenient and cost effective way to deal with the discomforts of pregnancy.
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. “
So 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.
I recently had the dubious privilege of experiencing one of the signature injuries of the tennis world – a ruptured plantaris tendon. This injury is, in fact, so common among tennis players that is is referred to as “tennis leg.”
The plantaris is a long, thin tendon that runs from just above the knee to the back of the heel. A plantaris rupture feels just like getting hit in the calf with a hard serve. My first clue that I had a plantaris injury came when I checked behind me and noted that I was still alone on my side of the court – no phantom server, no rolling ball. My second clue came when I attempted to take a step and instead, collapsed in pain.
Luckily, I was able to get immediate treatment that included cold laser, ultrasound and, of course, Kinesio Taping. Although I’m known as Tape Expert, this was my first opportunity to actually use Kinesio Tex Tape with an acute (and incredibly painful) injury. My initial taping was a multicolored criss cross “microcirculatory” or lymphatic taping designed to reduce the swelling and bruising. After a few days, I graduated to a “neurosensory” taping that dramatically relieved the pain whenever I put weight on my injured leg.
I’m happy to report that, within two and a half weeks, I was back on the courts – this time with a “structural” application, designed to provide support for my traumatized calf muscles, while still allowing me to move freely through a full range of motion. Within a month, I was back running and playing tennis on my typical manic schedule, with no taping required and no pain or swelling.
I now refer to my experience with tennis leg as the “best bad injury” I ever had.
Watch for my next three posts, which will provide additional detail on the three taping techniques that I used Kinesio Tex Tape for: (1) the microcirculatory or lymphatic taping technique for relief of swelling, edema and bruising, (2) the neurosensory or decompression taping technique for pain relief, and (3) the structural or compression taping technique for providing support to injured or recovering muscles.
Therapists trained in the art and science of kinesiology taping are able to create complex applications for a wide variety of injuries and health conditions. For complicated injuries or medical conditions, this level of expertise may be required, but for everyday aches and pains no special training is necessary. Most people, armed with a roll of kinesiology tape and some basic instructions, can create an application that will effectively relieve pain and reduce swelling.
This part of a series of posts presenting very simple, yet effective, taping techniques that virtually anyone can master. They were developed by the makers of RockTape, a new brand of kinesiology tape that has been engineered to enhance athletic performance in addition to providing therapeutic benefits.
Therapists trained in the art and science of kinesiology taping are able to create complex applications for a wide variety of injuries and health conditions. For complicated injuries or medical conditions, this level of expertise may be required, but for everyday aches and pains no special training is necessary. Most people, armed with a roll of kinesiology tape and some basic instructions, can create an application that will effectively relieve pain and reduce swelling.
This part of a series of posts presenting very simple, yet effective, taping techniques that virtually anyone can master. They were developed by the makers of RockTape, a new brand of kinesiology tape that has been engineered to enhance athletic performance in addition to providing therapeutic benefits.
Therapists trained in the art and science of kinesiology taping are able to create complex applications for a wide variety of injuries and health conditions. For complicated injuries or medical conditions, this level of expertise may be required, but for everyday aches and pains no special training is necessary. Most people, armed with a roll of kinesiology tape and some basic instructions, can create an application that will effectively relieve pain and reduce swelling.
The following series of posts will present very simple, yet effective, taping techniques that virtually anyone can master. They were developed by the makers of RockTape, a new brand of kinesiology tape that has been engineered to enhance athletic performance in addition to providing therapeutic benefits.
My last two posts covered resources for learning to apply precut kinesiology tape and resources for beginners working with rolls of tape. This post will focus on resources for health professionals interested in learning to apply kinesiology tape from rolls. Because of the diversity among patients, health professionals have a greater need for the customization that is possible when cutting applications from rolls of tape. Applications can become quite complex for patients with complicated injuries. It is important to understand both the basic principles of kinesiology taping as well as different taping techniques for different situations.
The following resources have been developed by the manufacturer of Kinesio Tex Tape, but the application principles are identical for either SpiderTape or Rock Tape.
This detailed, technical manual was written for individuals with an extensive understanding of anatomy and medical terminology. It begins with an excellent introduction to the concepts of Kinesio Taping and the rationale and methodology for the 7 different corrective taping techniques. This is followed by chapters for different parts of the body, with detailed explanations and step-by-step photographs for a wide variety of injuries and medical conditions.
(2003) 8.5″ x 11″ Softcover, Spiral Bound, Black & White, 249 pages, $49.99.
The most recently-published Kinesio Taping manual, it is beautifully illustrated, with simple, step-by-step, full color photographs. It contains detailed explanations and instructions for promoting lymphatic drainage using a variety of taping techniques. It also covers basic taping techniques for a variety of other injuries and health conditions. This manual is recommended for individuals with a good understanding of anatomy and medical terminology or experienced professionals who have been trained in the Kinesio® Taping Method.
(2006) 8.5″ x 11″ Softcover, Spiral Bound, 172 pages with color photos, $59.99.
Developed for pediatric medical practitioners and therapists, this comprehensive manual covers conditions that affect children from infancy through adolescence. It begins with an excellent introduction to the concepts of kinesiology taping and a detailed overview of the seven different corrective taping techniques, followed by condition-specific instructions. Its user-friendly format includes numerous color photos to accurately demonstrate each of the taping techniques.
8.5″ x 11″ Softcover, Spiral Bound, 218 pages with color photos, $59.99.
This introductory DVD introduces the Kinesio® Taping Method and its applications for clinical settings. It explains how kinesio taping can be used as a therapeutic modality for a wide variety of common medical conditions or injuries. Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor Jim Wallis, MS, ATC guides viewers, step by step, through the proper selection and application of appropriate Kinesio Taping techniques. Includes concepts, applications and several taping techniques.
Run Time 41 minutes. $54.99