Watching Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor kick some sand-covered butt has been a highlight of the Summer Olympics so far, and I'd love to see this dynamic duo go home with the gold. Meanwhile, I've been puzzling over the multicolored tape that Walsh has been wearing on her shoulder; sometimes it's black, sometimes it's blue, but clearly it's there for a reason.
I did a little research and discovered that this stuff is called Kinesio Tex Tape, and it's being used by a number of Olympians this year.
The therapeutic tape can be used for many different purposes, compressing muscles while allowing athletes to move freely. It helps relieve pain and also supports muscle and joint stability and performance. There are a number of different ways to apply it and use it, so you should do some research and/or talk to a professional before using Kinesio tape.
If you want to follow in Walsh's footsteps, you can buy a 2” x 16.4' roll of Kinesio Tex Gold Tape for $15. Better yet, until Aug. 31, you can get a deal: When you buy three or more rolls, you get one free — though the website warns that orders may be delayed due to increased demand from the Olympics!
If you've ever tried this stuff, I'd love to hear what you thought, so tell me below.
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I had my shoulders taped by my PT when I was recovering from a spinal fracture. It was kind of weird-feeling at first, but once I got used to it, I loved it! It really helped my posture, & because the tape was affixed to certain muscles, it made me a lot more conscious of which muscles I was overusing. So you don't just need to be an Olympic athlete to use it; the tape's great for every day!
1my guy uses it as a boxer and it helps him recover from a fight...while still training. it's good stuff!
2They said on the news that she had shoulder surgery recently and is using the tape to try not aggravate the shoulder while she is still healing.
3when it was black my brother said it was a tattoo and I was like ummmm noooooo.....
4Thanks for answering that nagging question! I was definitely wondering about it.
5I wish I would have known about this after my shoulder surgery...but I may still need to get some now that I am playing slow pitch for my work.
6Thanks!
Ive been using this tape for about 5 years now. I got lymphedema in my left leg when I was running track in college and had to forego my last year. My OT showed me how to use it and it helped with my lymphatic draining.. It's cool..It kind of hurts when you pull it off, but it's not that bad. I can leave it on for about 3 days with showering and all!
7Ive been using this tape for about 5 years now. I got lymphedema in my left leg when I was running track in college and had to forego my last year. My OT showed me how to use it and it helped with my lymphatic draining.. It's cool..It kind of hurts when you pull it off, but it's not that bad. I can leave it on for about 3 days with showering and all!
8My bfs physio has been putting an X on his back to help his posture.
9I work for a site that just did a piece about the tape (history of the inventor - a couple other people who've worn it - and I guess some people even doubt if it works)
10http://tinyurl.com/5bnsul
I also heard that cnbc did a segment about it this morning.
I think maybe she wears it to make her opponents think she's not in top shape.
I just had my leg taped with this because of my nagging shin splints. I hope it works!
11I have been back and forth on a knee injury for almost 2 years now. I was sent to a therapist that does something called Airrosti, which is kinda like soft tissue chiropractic and they ran it up my IT bands and it amazingly made a difference in my knee.
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