Some patients mentioned a precut elastic tape but now I have found what they were talking about. I am still not sure what was the exact brand used in the Beijing summer olympics but it looks like a new brand of kinesiology tape, KT Tape, is being endorsed by Kerri Walsh. The earliest press release that I can find is in May and June 2009. Mary Sheddon of The Tamba Tribune reports that KT Tape helps with foot pains and shin splints. SpiderTech is another brand claimed to be the “original” starting in 1987. Kinesio Tex developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase around 1984 according to their website also claiming to be the “original.” My guess is that Nitto Denko is a company that had a elastic sports tape since the 80’s along with Kinesio Tex but Dr. Kenzo Kase developed an actual taping technique. Kinesio Tex has had several books and seminars for years. I have yet to find any SpiderTech taping manual or KT Tape manual on the medical supply websites. I have never received any seminar brochure from either of these companies. The earliest press release or product for SpiderTech that I can find is in 2009. My question is what brand was used in the Beijing summer olympics 2008. I was sometimes under the training of Dr. Michael Reed, DC, MS, CSCS, DACBSP during my chiropractic training who became the medical director of the US Olympic Committee for the 2008 olympic team and also the future 2012 olympic team. There was only one other chiropractor on the team so the kinesio tape used on Kerri Walsh in the summer olympics was either an early version of the KT Tape or Kinesio Tex tape. I also believe Kinesio Tex tape is used by more chiropractors and physical therapists. I can’t make any endorsement for Dr. Reed but only say what I have seen. If there is anyone who can give me evidence to correct me, I would be interested. I will also be trying KT Tape and SpiderTech tape so perhaps there will be a future post about my findings.
ChiroWorks Care Center
Anthony Tsai, D.C.
ChiroWorksCareCenter.com
Chiropractor in San Jose, CA
Graston Technique Certified with emphasis in shoulder pain & nerve entrapment such as carpal tunnel syndrome
References:
http://twitter.com/KTTape
http://twitter.com/originalkinesio
http://www.kttape.com/
http://www.nucapmedical.com/index.html
http://www.ntmed.co.jp/english/taping/index.html
http://www.kinesiotaping.com/
http://www.optp.com/
http://www.sammonspreston.com/app.aspx?cmd=get_product&id=311710
http://www.theratape.com/spidertech/tape
http://thevitalitydepot.com/index.php?MenuLevel1=Products&MenuLevel2=Spider
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS181792+18-Aug-2009+PRN20090818
http://www.gear.com/kt-tape-secret-weapon-of-elite-athletes/
http://www.prweb.com/releases/OPTP/SpiderTech/prweb2671454.htm
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/oct/24/4u-whats-new/life/
