Many physios and massage therapists are already aware of the benefits of kinesiology taping for their clients yet a taping course could also be very useful to personal trainers and athletes, both amateur and elite.
The Voodoo Tape Kinesiology Taping Courses offer the perfect introduction to learn how to use kinesiology tape for aiding sports performance and supporting faster injury recovery.
1) To learn the history of K-taping
Kinesiology tape (or K-tape) was developed by a Japanese chiropractor Dr Kenso Kase in the 1970s. He specialised in the study of human movement but found that standard tapes restricted motion and so inhibited movement and ultimately the body’s ability to heal. He claimed that his kinesiology tape could better support muscles and aid the recovery from various injuries.
2) To find out about the best modern kinesiology tapes
Kinesiology tapes, such as such as our Menthol Infused Voodoo Tape, are 100% cotton and latex free. Among the many other properties, the tape can be stretched up to 30-40%, will remain adhesive for five days, allows the skin to breathe and can be worn in water.
Voodoo Tape is unique because it is the world’s first and only kinesiology tape with a menthol activation agent, which provides pain relief and support for hundreds of common muscle pain, joint and tendon-related pains and injuries.
It achieves this by reinforcing joints, with the added heat agent used to relax aggravated muscles.
3) To understand how Voodoo kinesiology tape works
Taping areas of the skin over muscles and joints causes a form of decompression between the skin and the tissue underneath. It’s claimed that the decompression of the skin and underlying tissue has four main functions:
Supporting role: The tape, when applied in different ways, supports the muscle to either inhibit an overactive muscle or facilitate an underactive muscle
Removes congestion: Blood and lymphatic flow is improved into and out of the taped area so there is a faster removal of waste products from an injury.
Mechanical effect: The tape has “longitudinal stretch” properties that are similar to those of skin, muscle and connective tissue. So, the tape can work to help the body’s stabilisation system.
Neurological effect: It’s claimed that having the tape on the skin can create a “non-painful stimulus” in that area to make it more difficult for the nervous system to feel the pain.
4) To discover the sports for taping
In truth, there are no sports people that will not find benefits from K-taping. Kinesiology taping has been shown to work for so many different sports participants including runners, cyclists, gymnasts, swimmers, tennis players, footballers, horse riders, badminton players and more.
5) To learn the benefits for multidiscipline sports
Triathletes have found the transition between sports to be aided by kinesiology taping. One keen long-distance triathlete is Chris Stirling, who swears by taping for his events.
Chris says: “I use kinesiology tape to support the chains of movement and use of different muscle groups as I move between the three sports or triathlon. I find that my muscles tire less quickly when using Tape and it is easier to hold good form.
“For example, when switching from bike to run, you go from being bent double for six hours to wanting to run nice and upright. The stretch of the tape reminds me not to lean forward too much and to pull my shoulders back.”
6) To find out how to perform like a star
Footballer Gareth Bale, tennis star Novak Djokovic, Olympic diver Tom Daley and volleyball pro Katrin Holtwick are among the many top athletes who have been seeing using kinesiology tape to great effect.
7) To be free of niggling injuries
Sporting injuries, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tenderness, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, A/C joint dysfunction, low back/SI joint pain, drop foot, ankle sprains, hamstring pulls, repetitive strain injuries and general back, shoulders, neck and knees niggles, as well as pulls and tears, can be improved, supported and relieved through kinesiology taping.
It is possible to self-apply many of the taping methods, while sports trainers and therapists can improve their injury and performance support for clients.
8) To enhance sports performance
Taping can also raise the anaerobic threshold of muscles during endurance activity so this means you can train and race harder and longer without the usual fatigue.
9) For bruising relief
It might sound strange but bruises (or oedema) can be more speedily overcome by using a special taping method called fanning. The decompression – or area of negative pressure – created by taping allows blood vessels and lymphatic vessels to dilate (open), thus increasing the circulation of both fluids. This in turn, speeds up the healing process.
10) To relieve tension headaches
British osteopaths who used kinesiology tape found that it is a “highly effective” method for treating severe headaches. One expert said: “Using the kinesiology taping technique helps to reposition the muscles that are under stress and therefore relieve tension in the neck, which can help with tension headaches.”
Book a Voodoo Kinesiology Tape Course
If you would like to host a Voodoo Tape course at your facility. Please get in touch and we can discuss this.
The certificated CPD course will teach you important movement, muscle testing, assessments and taping applications and procedures.
To find out more about Sports Therapy Scotland’s 2016 courses across the UK see course programme