Rocktape
I am a certified Rocktape professional. I incorporate Rocktape into my practice to help clients with their pain and injuries. I found that the tape helped to extend the effects of the work that had been done during their session. It is great for helping to reduce pain, re-teach proper movement patterns and support strained muscles and sprained ligaments and tendons.
What Is Rocktape
Rocktape is a special kind of tape known as kinesiology tape. Kinesiology tape was created by a Japanese chiropractor and was widely used by acupuncturists and chiropractors in Japan. Today kinesiology tape is used by therapists throughout the world to treat injuries and improve sports performance. While the use of kinesiology tape is often associated with athletes, medical professionals have been using it to alleviate a wide variety of ailments, not just sports injuries.
How It Works
Rocktape turns down the volume on pain
More specifically, it runs interference on pain. Ever whack your shin on something? What is the first thing you do? Most people will immediately start rubbing the area. Ever notice how this rubbing lessens the pain? Rocktape on the skin can interfere with pain signals being directed to the brain. When kinesiology tape is applies properly, the signals being sent to the brain are altered so that it does not produce the sensation of pain. It helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down the pain "volume" that your body hears.
Decompresses an area of swelling and inflammation
When Rocktape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers of tissue. This allows the by products created by inflammation to be removed more quickly.
It delays fatigue
Research has shown that Rocktape on skin can attenuate muscle fatigue. In rehab this is very important, not only for the parts of your body that are currently hurting, but also for the surrounding areas as they help to pick up the slack for muscles that are currently not working well.
It normalizes muscle tone
When someone is injured, fatigued, sick, or inflamed, the symphony of muscle action that normally takes place with great accuracy often falls out of tune. This can happen all over the body. For instance, research has shown that people who sprain their ankle tend to have altered activity of their hip muscle as a result. Rocktape helps bring dormant muscle back to life and help calm down the overactive muscles. It helps your body coordinate movement as if it weren't hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly.
It distributes physical stress
Unlike conventional taping, which prevents movement, Rocktape allows full movement of a taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, Rocktape can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments and even bones.