I just wanted to mention about this miracle tape. I have been injured for a while with a serious achilles tendonitis. A while ago my physical theraphist introduced me to Kinesio Taping.
With the help of the tape I am almost pain free now. I am was really sceptical about this but after trying it for 2-3 days I saw real difference.
There are about 3-4 different brands out there, I tried them all but Rocktape is the best among them! It does not come off in the pool, shower etc. I can use one application for 3-4 days. Other brands peel off in 1-2 days and most do not work well with chlorine. I have a lot of free time in my hand so I wrote down the comparision of major 4 brands in the market. KT TApe, Rock Tape, Kinesio Tex and SpiderTech.
I have been using these four brands in the last 3 weeks regularly and at the same time I also see a really fast marketing race among them. All say they are the best, stickiest and strechiest. since the price is relatively cheap compared to other stuff we use, I gave a shot to all of them then compared head to head.
Some failed big time, some had cons and some had pros.
KT Tape: Available everywhere! Cheap compared to others and it is already cut in strips to save you the hassle! Also the tape is in Y shape splits. Each strip is Y shape pre cut.
This is also a CON for some because in places like achilles you need a full unsplit tape and it splits after using it for couple of hours. Stayed on for 3 days of training 2 chlorine pool swims and 3 showers. it did not come off by itself, I had to remove it!
Good thing about it, it is probably the most practical among all. no scissors needed!
Rocktape: For me this is the best among the other. As they claim it is stickier and stretchy than others. Yes it is true! Comes in lots of cool colors and designs. Stays on forever! And available in both strips and rolls. I prefer the roll and cut my own tape. CONS? Its almost impossible to find it locally, expensive if you add shipping to $20 per roll! and if you don’t use a high quality scissors the edges started to come off after a day.
Kinesiotex: Big failure! I had high hopes for this since they “invented” Kinesio taping… But boy! I had band aid with Sponge Bob figures on it stayed longer than this! I put it on in the morning and by lunch time half of the tape came off! Price factor made me buy another roll since it is $10 and free shipping. But second roll was the same. So this is a no no!
Spidertech: This one is interesting because they come in special shapes for special applications. Good thing, they are hassle free and stay on for days. Bad thing, average $12 per application if you screw up applying your $12 is gone! And they only have precut applications for general injuries and joints. They have a plain roll too but I have not tried it.
As a summary my vote goes for Rocktape! But I also use KT Tape too for its practicality. I hear KT Tape has an uncut version too, I only wished they had put that on sale as the other strips they are selling at Sports Authority.
As for the question which one works, they all do! Just some stay longer and look injuries more fun!
Google it on you tube for your type of pain or injury, there are more than couple of ways to apply for single area. Some may work for you some may not.
