Olympic Tape
By: Jeremiah Cook
Updated: August 10, 2012
"Obviously it's sport dependent, so volleyball is going to be a lot different than football or softball," states Niederklein.
Those injuries are often treated with braces or traditional medical tape.
"I do lots of taping for football, that's probably the number 1 sport that I do most of my taping for," states Niederklein.
Now, he has a new option, Kinesio Tape.
"Basically the idea behind it is, you tape the skin, and by taping the skin you stimulate different receptors in it to follow the nerve pathway and get the response you want from the muscles or the circulatory system," states Dr. Lindsay Pitts, Via Christi Hospital.
Kinesio Tape has been around since the mid 80's, but thanks to the Olympic athletes, it's seeing a big jump in sales. Doctor Linsay Pitts says it isn't just athletes that can benefit from the tape.
"It can be used for somebody right after a total knee surgery if they have a lot of swelling to clear that out, it can be used on kids, elderly people with back pain. There are a variety of things that it can teat," states Dr, Pitts.
Before Kinesio tape, doctors would have to use a variety of tapes and braces to treat many medical ailments. Now, not only is it quick, but it also offers the patient a wider range of motion, and they say once it's on, you can't even tell it's there.
"It can be worn for 3 to 5 days, you can even shower with it, it's water resistant," states Dr. Pitts.
Kinesio Tape can be purchased online for about $60 a roll.


