Welcome back to the Bendy Club blog! This week, we’re exploring a practical tool that can offer significant relief: Rock Tape. Whether you’re dealing with joint pain, instability, or muscle soreness, Rock Tape can be a game-changer for hypermobile joints. Let’s dive into what Rock Tape is and how it can help you manage your symptoms more effectively.
What Is Rock Tape?
Rock Tape is a type of kinesiology tape (KT tape) designed to support muscles and joints without restricting movement. It’s commonly used by athletes to enhance performance and recovery, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for individuals with hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Rock tape provides more support than the traditional KT tape and has a better adhesive making it more effective for those with hypermobility. I have personally used rock tape with numerous hypermobile patients over many years with great success.
Why Rock Tape Matters
For those with HSD or EDS, joint stability and pain relief are crucial. Rock Tape provides external support, which can help reduce pain, improve joint stability, and enhance proprioception (the sense of how your body is positioned in space). This can make everyday activities more manageable and less painful.
Benefits of Rock Tape
- Pain Relief: By lifting the skin slightly, Rock Tape can reduce pressure on pain receptors, leading to decreased pain levels.
- Joint Stability: The tape provides gentle support to hypermobile joints, reducing the risk of injury and overextension. It can be worn for up to 3 days at a time even when swimming and showering providing all day support.
- Improved Circulation: Rock Tape can enhance blood flow to the taped area, promoting better healing and reducing inflammation.
- Enhanced Movement: Unlike traditional braces or supports, Rock Tape allows for full range of motion, making it ideal for both daily activities and exercise.
How to Use Rock Tape
- Preparation: Clean the skin thoroughly to remove oils and lotions. Dry the area completely before applying the tape.
- Application: Cut the tape to the desired length, rounding the corners to prevent peeling. Apply the tape with the appropriate tension for the specific joint or muscle. Ensure that the ends are applied without tension to avoid irritation.
- Techniques: There are various techniques for applying Rock Tape, depending on the area and the type of support needed. Consult with a physical therapist or watch instructional videos to learn the best methods for your needs.
- Wear Time: Rock Tape can typically be worn for 3-5 days, even through showers and workouts. Monitor your skin for any signs of irritation and remove the tape if you experience discomfort.
- Sensitive Skin? Many hypermobile individuals have very sensitive skin and can have reactions to adhesives that are left on for prolonged periods of time. A great way to overcome this is to use a barrier cream to protect the skin. One option is to use a cotton ball and apply a thin layer of milk of magnesia (don’t drink it just apply to the skin) to the area you are going to put the tape on. Let the liquid dry then apply the tape over that area. It will give you the same support and decrease skin irritation.
- Removing Tape: It is always best to take off the tape in a shower or bath. The water will make it much easier to remove and decrease skin irritation.
Action Steps for Integrating Rock Tape
- Consult a Professional: Speak with a medical professional who has experience in using Rock Tape. They can provide guidance on the best application techniques for your specific needs. There are also numerous videos and images online. Just google “rock tape knee” or “rock tape neck” to see different techniques and how to apply.
- Start Slowly: Begin with small areas and short wear times to see how your skin reacts. Gradually increase usage as you become more comfortable.
- Stay Informed: Educate yourself on different taping methods. The Rock Tape website and YouTube channel offer valuable resources and tutorials.
- Monitor Your Response: Keep track of how your body responds to Rock Tape. Adjust your application technique and usage based on your symptoms and activity levels.
- Combine with Other Therapies: Use Rock Tape in conjunction with other treatments, such as physical therapy exercises and joint supports, for a comprehensive approach to managing your symptoms.
Patient Story
One of our members, Michelle, has been dealing with chronic knee pain and instability due to hypermobility. After learning about Rock Tape, she decided to give it a try. With guidance from her physical therapist, Michael started using Rock Tape on her knees during her daily activities and workouts. The additional support significantly reduced her pain and improved her confidence in movement. Michelle’s experience highlights how simple tools like Rock Tape can make a big difference in managing hypermobility symptoms.
Share Your Journey
We encourage you to share your experiences and connect with others on our social media platforms. By building a supportive community, we can help each other navigate the challenges of living with HSD and EDS.
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Thank you for being part of the Bendy Club. Together, we can make a difference!
Warm regards,
The Hypermobile Solutions Team
References
Brittany Work, David Levine, Michael Healy; Short-Term Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Shoulder Pain and Function in Individuals With Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Am J Occup Ther July 2022, Vol. 76(Supplement_1), 7610505052p1. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO52
Braces, splints & mobility aids. The Ehlers Danlos Society. (2024, February 6). https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/braces-splints-mobility-aids/
Learn how to use kinesiology tape. RockTape. (2018, June 20). https://www.rocktape.com/consumer/guides/rocktape/
Home. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/
What is HSD?. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-hsd/
What is eds?. The Ehlers Danlos Society. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/
Jovin, D., Atwal, P., Herman, K., Block, N., Maxwell, A. J., Mitakides, J., Maitland, A. M., Saperstein, D., Hamilton, M., Schofield, J., Koby, M., Klinge, P., McElroy, A., Bluestein, L., Chopra, P., Tishler, J., Pocinki, A. G., Varga, J., Dempsey, T., … Lane, K. (2020). Disjointed: Navigating the diagnosis and management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders. Hidden Stripes Publications, Inc.
Smith, C., & Wicks, D. (2017). Understanding Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorder: (previously known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Hypermobility Type & Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, respectively). Redcliff-House Publications.
Cox, C. (2022). Holding it all together when you’re Hypermobile. Journey2Joy
Disclaimer
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no provider/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.