If you watched the Olympic games, you probably noticed the brightly colored strips of tape some athletes had stretched across their bodies.
Called kinesiology tape, the tape helps reduce athlete’s pain and improve their performance. But you don’t have to be one of the world’s fastest, strongest or most talented athletes to use it. Anyone can learn to use it to their advantage.
Often called kinesio tape or even K-tape, the tape is made from soft, flexible cloth. When placed on you muscles, it reduces pain and prompts your muscles to work more efficiently. The tape puts force on your muscles so their movements are much more synchronized, especially after an injury. Kinesio tape also increases blood flow and promotes the lymph system to remove toxins from your body. Therefore, it reduces pain and inflammation.
Here’s a real world example. If a basketball player has a sore shoulder, he might shoot differently because his other muscles must compensate for the one that’s giving him trouble. But if he puts kinesio tape on his sore shoulder it will reduce the inflammation that’s causing the pain and free up his other muscles to work correctly.
Keep in mind if you have a serious injury like a torn ACL or meniscus, no amount of kinesio tape will help. You’ll need the services of an orthopedic surgeon to get back in the game.
It does seem like putting tape on your skin before taking part in physical activity would be painful. But the adhesive that is used mimics the elasticity of your skin so it moves with you, not against you. It won’t pull or tear your skin, no matter how active you are.
There’s a lot of information on the Internet about how to apply K-tape. But proper application depends on the type of injury you have. It’s always best to let an orthopedic specialist instruct you in the right ways to use kinesio tape. Talk with a sports medicine expert at Southeast Orthopedics in Jacksonville for instructions about using the tape.
And remember, K-tape won’t help an injury heal. Rest, ice and heat, massage, stretching and rehab exercises are the best treatments for many sports-related injuries.
If you watched the Olympic games, you probably noticed the brightly colored strips of tape some athletes had stretched across their bodies.
Called kinesiology tape, the tape helps reduce athlete’s pain and improve their performance. But you don’t have to be one of the world’s fastest, strongest or most talented athletes to use it. Anyone can learn to use it to their advantage.
Spraining your ankle is painful and can limit your mobility. How you treat the ankle during the healing process will determine whether you have residual impairment even after the sprain itself has healed. Visiting a physical therapist is a great way to avoid developing ankle scar tissue and to improve your range of motion.
Healthy bones are critical to avoiding injury and maintaining your ability to do the things you love. Keeping your bones healthy becomes even more important as you grow older, as 40 percent of women older than 50 will experience a hip, spine or wrist fracture at some point in the future, according to the Surgeon General’s Office. Consider the following tips to keep your bones healthy and strong.
More than 53 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis. Professional athletes are no exception. Arthritis is characterized by joint pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Despite this, several prominent athletes have overcome their arthritis symptoms and maintained a competitive edge in professional sports. Read on to read the inspiring stories of athletes who have conquered arthritis.
You may think arthritis is just a part of life that you must endure as you get older. And while there’s no magic bullet that will prevent painful arthritis, you can take steps to reduce your risk and/or delay its onset.
If you’re having hip replacement surgery, you’ve probably got lots of questions for your orthopedic surgeon. You may have so many questions that you forget to ask something at a pre-op appointment.
Fear not. We’ve got you covered with answers to common hip replacement questions. If the answer to your question isn’t listed, contact one of our trusted surgeons to help.
If you’re considering knee replacement surgery, you probably have some questions about the procedure. Read below to see if we have addressed your concerns. If not, please contact one of our trusted orthopedic surgeons.
If you have a sports-related injury, you’re probably aware that working with a physical therapist is a great way to rehab and return to the field. But did you know acupuncture actually complements physical therapy nicely?
The benefits of acupuncture for athletes are many. Acupuncture can improve your physical performance, reduce the negative effects of overtraining and prevent future injuries. It can also:
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for injuries and conditions such as: (more…)
Good posture is important for people of any age, but it’s particularly important for children who are still growing and developing. Learning good posture at a young age is also key to preventing muscle soreness, headaches and back pain as an adult.
So how can you teach your children about good posture? Here are some tips that can help. (more…)
Research indicates that prolonged sitting is detrimental to your health. So if you sit at a desk for eight hours every day, you’re at risk for a variety of health concerns. Along with back pain and other assorted ailments, one study found your chance of developing cancer increased by more than 60 percent if you sit for long periods of time.
So can you do anything to alleviate a your sedentary work life? How about some deskercises? These exercises you can do at your desk will keep you moving but subtle enough not to be a distraction to your coworkers. (more…)
You now have the ability to schedule an appointment online any time with our orthopedic surgeons and specialists. Our intelligent system connects you to the right doctor in the right setting at the right time. Schedule your appointment online above!
*Providers will be recommended based on specialty and best availability. If you would prefer to schedule an appointment with a provider of your choice, please call us at 904-634-0640