Mummy, mummy can I have some tape?

Our new tag line on our website and business cards is “fine-tuning your body using exercise, bodywork and tape.”. Most people know about exercise and bodywork is a catch all term for our various massage services but TAPE? The question that we get asked most is what is tape? So here we go…

We use tape to reduce pain and increase range of motion. 

Traditional taping methods, that we still practice when necessary, rely on using the properties of the tape to restrict movement and prevent injury or reduce further injury. The taping methods that we prefer to use and use daily use the properties of the tape to change the way in which the connective tissue works, giving the results of reduced pain and increased range of motion.

We use two main taping methods, Functional Fascial Taping (FFT) and Kinesio Taping. The main difference between the two taping methods is the type of tape that is used, FFT uses regular athletic tape and Kinesio uses tape specially designed for the Kinesio Taping Method.

Functional Facial Taping

This method was developed by a massage therapist in Australia. It uses normal athletic tape applied in a special way to change the tension of the fascia in the body which can improve flexibility of tissue, increase range of motion and reduce pain. It is effective on a whole range of muscular and fascial injuries, as well as being able to help with nerve tension. The single most amazing thing we have found with this tape is how good it is at treating Plantar Fasciitis. Anyone who has had this foot condition knows how difficult it can be to treat. We have had such great success treating it with Functional Fascial Taping that many clients get full resolution in just a single treatment! 

Kinesio Tape

Kinesio Tape was developed in Japan to initially treat swelling or edema. The tape has special elastic properties that allow it to be applied in a variety of ways to help with swelling, bruising, muscle tightness and pain, muscle weakness, fascial tension, joint problems and scar tissue. Due to the wide variety of uses you need a qualified practitioner to apply the tape to ensure it is in the right place, in the right direction and at the right tension to give the desired effect. The original tape comes in four colors: black, blue, pink and beige. They are all the same, it is simply a matter of preference which one the client likes. The tape is stretchy, making it comfortable to wear, and waterproof enough to wear in the shower and even for surfing or swimming. More recently many new brands of tape have appeared on the market, some better than others. We like to also use Rock Tape for more athletic applications, and this has opened up a new world of colors too, including fun designs like “biohazard” and “cow”. 

The advantages of both the taping method we practice is that they can help to support an injury, reduce pain and allow you to go back to your chosen activity sooner, sometimes the same day, whilst they continue to help the healing. Because the tape is not medicated it does not mask pain. If you don’t feel the pain any more then the pain is gone. This makes the tape safe to use for everyone.

If you have an injury or an ache that is holding you back, come and speak to us to find out if taping can help you recover faster.