TYLER (KYTX) - The tale of the tape. You may have noticed how dozens of Olympic athletes are wearing colorful bands of tape on different parts of their bodies. It's called kinesiology tape and it's been used for years to treat sports injuries. But as CBS19's Amanda Roberson explains, it's not just for the Olympian.
It's the must have athletic accessory at the summer games. The vibrant tape in often elaborate patterns on shoulders, legs, and bellies. But it's not just a fashion statement and it's not just for Olympians.
Monty Geddie of Tyler has been running in triathlons for six years, but last year shin splints sent Geddie to the chiropractor where Dr. David Flynn introduced him to kinesio tape.
"It has relieved the pain," Geddie said. "That's mainly what it did."
"It's kind of amazing tape," added Dr. Flynn. "It's just elastic tape, just cotton and adhesive."
Dr. Flynn is a certified kinesio tape practitioner. The tape patterns are designed to pinpoint exact muscles and pain.
Dr. Flynn said unlike typical athletic tape that causes a joint to lose motion to heal this tape works twofold in reducing pain. "It helps decrease inflammation and increase lymphatic drainage under the area of the tape. It also helps to neurologically trick your brain into relaxing or contracting more."
Kinesio tape started gaining popularity at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but this tape isn't just for Olympians. From athletes to gardeners, the tape is helping reduce pain and giving people their function back.
"We can send them home with a continuous therapy for this muscle to relax, relax, relax and it works really well. It doesn't hinder them in any way, it's not a big bulky brace they have to put on," Dr. Flynn explained.
"Kinesiology tape" was developed more than 30 years ago by Dr. Kenzo Kase to treat sumo wrestlers, but Dr. Flynn said it's become a great option for athletes who don't want to slow down. "Especially when they don't have time to necessarily try to heal up the best they can. This helps speed up that recovery time."
Less recovery time, less pain, and less obstruction is exactly what Geddie was looking for. "I swim in it. It dry's real quickly. In fact you don't even know it's even on there."
Even if it is hot pink.
While certified kinesio tape practitioners know exactly where to add the patterned tape over muscles, pre-cut kinesio tapes are also available in retail stores.
