kinesthetic tape, anyone?

[highland145]

http://voices.yahoo.com/kenesiology-kinesio-tape-not-tattoos-appear-on-1814303.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_therapeutic_tape

Anyone try this. For quite a while, the bottom of my glute/top of hamstring has been pulled. I've stretched/iced, quite walking with the wife (that seems to be the worst) but not much better. I still have 2 lawns to push mow. Biking and the elliptical don't seem to aggravate it.

Thought that if the Olympians were using it, it would have some benefit. Wiki says not so much.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I can't speak to your actual injury, but for kinesiology tape - I've had mixed success with it, depending on the injury itself, and the severity of the injury.

Achilles Tendonitis - I was at the point where I couldn't run more than 1/4 mile a week before a 1/2 marathon. One application out of desperation before a 1/2 marathon and I ran the whole way with a friend, no issues.

IT Band - did nothing to alleviate it, but it was severe enough that ART combined with 3 weeks off was the only thing that relieved it

Posterior tib - it's helped to alleviate pain and support it while walking, but hasn't gotten me back in the game running (has occurred on both legs)

I'm not going sit here and say it's crap, or it doesn't help at all, but it's not going to be a magic pill that magically fixes all your ailments. Normal KT Tape is about $10, KT Tape Pro about $20. The Pro version sticks and lasts around a week and holds up far better in heavy sweat, but it's still susceptible to losing it's grip if you go swimming.

You said for "quite a while" - sounds like you need to get checked out by a doc. Could be something you pulled, or something like piriformis syndrome, based on what you said. Again, all shots in the dark - more of a Socially question, but you'd need to provide some more info.

 

[highland145]

Thanks, RB. ~3 to 4 months. With the yard work and an 11 year old to keep up with, haven't been able to keep from re-aggravating it.

I used a great PT when the back was out but I'll have to get another referral from my GP to see her again. Yeah, I know..."When it hurts bad enough...". Think I'll call her and see if I can get a couple of visits without the referral. I'm cash pay so that may help.

Watched several youtube vids trying to figure out the proper application. Haven't seen my exact location but there are some nice butts on the "patients."

 

[RagingBITCH]

LOLZ. True...I wish they had done the application under the clothes. If it's 3-4 months it's gotta be something other than a simple pull. I'm not a medical professional though!

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Almost every research article I've read about kinesiotape has shown no increase in performance and no rehabilitative effectiveness directly for muscle injury (only some at the ankle). If you have a musculoskeletal problem that persists, you should see a physical therapist. Stretching can actually make a strain worse by pulling damaged fibers apart and preventing healing. You may need a doctor's prescription, but the physical therapist will be able to put you on a guided exercise program (to promote proper healing), do soft tissue massage to reduce adhesions and improve mobility, do joint mobilizations to improve mobility (which may be a contributing factor), analyze your movement pattern to check for risky compensations, etc. Kinesiotape can be used as an adjunct to therapy, but in itself, it is a poor treatment intervention.

EDIT: Just read your second post. If you're cash pay, you don't need a prescription at all. Call the PT's office to confirm and schedule an appointment already 3-4mo is way too long to wait. I typically suggest people see a healthcare professional if it hurts for 2 weeks or more. You're way past that.

 

[highland145]

Almost every research article I've read about kinesiotape has shown no increase in performance and no rehabilitative effectiveness directly for muscle injury (only some at the ankle). If you have a musculoskeletal problem that persists, you should see a physical therapist. Stretching can actually make a strain worse by pulling damaged fibers apart and preventing healing. You may need a doctor's prescription, but the physical therapist will be able to put you on a guided exercise program (to promote proper healing), do soft tissue massage to reduce adhesions and improve mobility, do joint mobilizations to improve mobility (which may be a contributing factor), analyze your movement pattern to check for risky compensations, etc. Kinesiotape can be used as an adjunct to therapy, but in itself, it is a poor treatment intervention.

EDIT: Just read your second post. If you're cash pay, you don't need a prescription at all. Call the PT's office to confirm and schedule an appointment already 3-4mo is way too long to wait. I typically suggest people see a healthcare professional if it hurts for 2 weeks or more. You're way past that.

Thanks. I should have done something a long time ago about it, hoping it would get better. Obviously not.

8/23 @9:30. They can give me 30 days without a GP referral. I'll update then.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Thanks. I should have done something a long time ago about it, hoping it would get better. Obviously not.

8/23 @9:30. They can give me 30 days without a GP referral. I'll update then.

I get it - it's hard not to get caught up in everyday life. It's almost like you make up the time you spend in PT though if you consider you're probably moving slower, doing things differently, etc.

Ah, gotcha. In CA, I think you can be seen indefinitely if you're a cash payer. Soon enough, if you can to CA, you might actually be able to have insurance cover treatment for up to 30 days without a referral. The legislation is in motion

 

[highland145]

They had a cancellation. Just got back. Best guess is that I keep re aggravating it and it won't heal. Life is in the way. Could also be some minor scar tissue from the damage.

No spots that are tender just pressing on them. Good.
Flexibility is very good.
Slight weakness on the right glute. Possibly from favoring it.
Doing the core exercises (planks, crunches) could have helped with an imbalance because I wasn't doing any glute work.

So, new stretches for the glutes, one leg bridges, side leg raises a(circular motion, add weights when it gets too easy), iontophoresis patch. Back tomorrow for a new patch and ultrasound therapy(?) and 2 days next week. We could try the tape after the patch.

Glad I went. Thanks for the encouragement to go.