RockTape and Sports Tape:
Treating Common Physiotherapy Injuries and Enhancing Muscle Performance

RockTape is a type of performance and sports tape that has engineered therapeutic elements into it, specifically for treating common sports injuries seen in our physiotherapy clinic, as well as enhancing sports and mobility performance.

Some of the conditions that it can be used for include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Jumpers knee (PFS)
• ACL/MCL issues
• Rotator cuff injuries
  
• Groin strains and hamstring pulls
• Lower back pain issues
• Shin splints
• Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow

So how does it work actually?

RockTape is made of a natural hybrid product - it consists of 97% cotton, 3% nylon and is not treated with any medicine or drugs. The adhesive is carefully selected hypo-allergenic acrylic based adhesive which contains no latex, so no worries for those who are allergic to latex.

During the manufacturing process, a “bias” is introduced during the weave of the fabric so that it stretches only in one direction and not the other (why do this is so that it creates a biomechanical lifting mechanism which lifts/pulls the skin away from soft tissue, allowing blood to flow into an injured area, to accelerate healing and recovery).

It is also effective in helping to correct knee tracking issues, shoulders and elbows. It can also be used to correct postural problems including those associated with pregnancy.

What we like also is that there is a lot of funky designs (aesthetics) as opposed to just being the usual plain ol' tape. Of course, those work too, but this is much nicer in my own opinion.

Being a bit more outstanding is good in a way that people do take note of the tape and will understand that you may have an injury and stay a cautious distance away too.

Research and RockTape: Fascial Movement Taping (taping movement)

Fascial Movement Taping (FMT) is the application of RockTape to support sports-specific fascia/fascial chains – basically, using specific sports taping techniques and RockTape, we better engage and coordinate the sportsman/sportswoman/athlete’s movement to increase efficiency and reduce fatigue.

Better still is the use of this tape because of its unique properties that reduce swelling, accelerate blood flow and healing as well as helping to coordinate movement (preventing unnecessary/wasteful movements).

Performance enhancement

Okay, to be honest, it’d not change a 5 hour marathoner to a 3 hour marathoner overnight, applying the FMT and tape is one of our methods to break that 3 hour barrier if you’re already close.

When applied with proper FMT guidelines, it can help athletes decrease/decelerate onset of fatigue through (1) better form (decrease wasted movements) and (2) more blood flow = more muscle nutrients and energy = better stamina and endurance.

What types of sports is suitable?

Running, cycling, swimming, diving – actually, almost any and every sport that requires accurate and specific movements.

Is form really that important?

Take a look at the graph on the right. Marathon timings have improved by leaps and bounds since the early 1900s.

There are many possible explanations there, but most agree that it is because of the advancement in training techniques that have played a major role….and as training revolves primarily around conditioning and form, then we can agree that tools which correct or ingrain better form will play at least an additional 50% to winning (assuming conditioning and form is equal).

An example: swimming is a good example of how critical one’s form is – often, a win is determined by no more than 1/1000 of a second, that’s a 0.001 of a second! One misplaced or poorly time stroke can make a huge difference between winning and losing.

Cycling Protocol

For a cyclist, form is crucial, critical even, to power and endurance. A cyclist is taped depending on the discipline (as a proper TT position is critical but when the cyclist/athlete fatigues, they can fall out of form easily) – we then use RockTape to reinforce the proper aero position to eliminate/minimize drag.

In a road race, a cyclist can be taped to eliminate/decelerate fatigue in the lower back, wrist or neck which may develop after racing for 4+ hours. Refer to the diagram below, there are many fascial chains that can be protected with RockTape.

Price:

1 roll of 5 cm width x 5 meters = $30.00

Call or SMS our clinics and let us know how many you’d like us to set aside/prepare for you, and swing by our clinic to pick it up our clinics locations here. Do drop us a buzz first to check if we've stock k thanks!

To order RockTape,

1) For enquiries:

2) If you’ve decided to purchase, once we’ve processed the order (usually about 24 hours) we’ll respond with the same channel you contacted us.