 Limassol Sports Massage using Kinesiology Taping at the Cyprus Ultra race 2017 We have been qualified to apply Kinesiology Tapes (also known as Elastic Therapeutic Tapes) and Fixed Tapes for a few years now, following additional training at St Mary's University, Twickenham. It rapidly became one of our favourite methods of treatment in our busy Limassol based Sports Massage Clinic because of the success we have had with it. Why does Kinesiology Taping prove to be so helpful? The reasons are not scientifically proven. It is thought to help with the fascia by lifting the skin and giving the muscle and fascia a little more comfort. It is thought to keep the area a little warmer, to give a little support (depending on the way it is applied) and to help one remember that they have an injury that they are rehabilitating. How has Kinesiology Tape helped our Clients? We have used these tapes in a number of treatment applications. They have helped Marathon Runners as part of their treatment for Jumper's Knee/Patellar Tendinitis, Achilles Tendinitis and Iliotibial Band Syndrome. These runners had injuries resulting from doing too much, too soon in training and their races were at risk. Following intensive Sports Massage Therapy, they were taped for periods of two weeks. The taping helped prolong the benefits of the treatment and allowed for assistance with their recovery. Runners were taped for their races too. Other Sports disciplines/applications have included:
A Cyprus Ultra mountain race never passes without us taping some of the runners. It is usually helpful to tape the quad muscles to help them relax a little and we have used advanced techniques to tape a mal-tracking patella, which we believe saved one of the runner's races one year. Our running experience and Sports Massage Therapy knowledge has aided our understanding of application methods and has even allowed us to blend elastic and fixed tape for more effective treatment protocols in certain cases. Personally, I think that there is an additional benefit. I believe that the focus/awareness of the injured area helps to send more blood there. Increased blood flow can help with recovery and can bring healing agents in a more directed manner to the site of injury. It has been proven that focusing on an area of the body sends more blood to it. How is Kinesiology Tape applied? There are often several ways of applying elastic therapeutic tapes. Main principles include stretching the muscle whilst it is being taped. Tape edges are rounded to help them stay in place. The edges of the tape are not stretched; in order to ensure that they adhere well. The main section of the tape is stretched a certain percentage, depending on the area and the desired outcome of tape application - it is not stretched 100%, but 50-70% is very common. The tightest part of the muscle is often the part that the tape is first attached to. Whilst some knowledge of the path of the muscle in question should be understood and followed, there is not really anything that you can do wrong with elastic therapeutic taping; it simply will not be so effective if it is not positioned correctly. Kinesio Tex Classic - for great quality and the ultimate staying power: Rocktape - for quality and performance: Mueller Kinesiology Tape - value and performance Levotape - doing a jolly good job! Which brand? There are the expensive, and believe me you do get what you pay for, and the moderately priced. Go for a mid-price to expensive brand. Look at brands such as Rocktape, Levotape, Kinesio Tex and Mueller. You will love all of these brands. Check them out via the links above and order your preferred tape with ease. Pre-cut tapes are more expensive and whilst being convenient, are limiting in terms of their predetermined length.
If you would like to buy tape in Clinic, we often have some in stock. Taping can be used as part of your Sports Massage treatment if we deem it useful, or can be booked as a treatment separately with a fee payable to cover materials and our Clinic time. Eva Evangelou IFA & ITEC Diplomas in Sports Massage Therapy, Anatomy & Physiology, Clinical Aromatherapy and Holistic Massage Therapy. Education Adv Diploma, PGCE & BA Hons. Eva is a Sports Massage Therapist, owner of Limassol Sports Massage, an Aromatherapy Blend-maker, Teacher, Author of 'Say No to Neck and Shoulder Pain' and avid Athlete.
Fed up of being in pain?
A long time ago, we had pain that originated from boney changes in our spine. We had physiotherapy and a long, long course of osteopathy. We felt better, but we were still having to take pain killers. We had to stop doing what we loved. Our martial arts practise was over after 7 years of dedicated practise - we were not going to reach our second Dan black belt and this was sad. We were avid horse riders and now we were being told to stop this activity too. Our visit to the Doctor and the tests that followed confirmed that the athletic life I had led had started to take its toll on my skeletal system. The Doctor told me that it was time to give up my sports and lead a more sedentary life. As far as I was concerned, my life felt like it was over. I was not ready to give up on my pained, but otherwise strong body. Nights passed and sleep eluded me due to pain. Pain killers became my best way through this period. I asked the physiotherapists what I was supposed to do. How would I manage my pain levels? They recommended a Pain Management Clinic. The truth is, when we are in pain, we can become locked in to a pain cycle. Pain becomes the norm for your body. Seeking assistance in the early stages of pain offers better results for pain management. What can we do to minimise pain? We have to look for the pain triggers and we have to deal with them. This may mean modifying or getting rid of an activity that causes us pain. It may even be necessary to stop some activities altogether; this should be avoided, but may be an option for activities we do not like anyhow. Our latest book takes you through the stages necessary to identify your pain triggers. We learnt these technique when we were managing our own pain and during the 12 years plus that we have been specialist Sports Massage Therapists. 'Say No! To Neck & Shoulder Pain' is an info-book, work-book guide that shows you how to log your activities and pain levels. It teaches you to be in control and find your own pain triggers. Why suffer in silence and be sentenced to a life full of pain killers? Take control and use this new book to help yourself recover and lead a fulfilling life again. For your copy of 'Say No! To Neck & Shoulder Pain' drop us an email and ask to pick up your copy in our Limassol Sports Massage Clinic for just €10. International deliveries are available within the EU and for the Rest of the World via PayPal for €15 and €20 respectively - including VAT along with Packing and Postage fees. Please be advised that you are liable for any import fee or Tax in to your own Country. 
Say No! To Neck & Shoulder Pain
Eva Evangelou, BA Hons, PGCE, Adv Post Grad Dip, IFA Dip & ITEC Dips, is the Author of Say No! To Neck & Shoulder Pain and the owner of Limassol Sports Massage in Cyprus. She has been a body worker for over 12 years and was a teacher prior to this. Contact her here.
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AuthorSports Massage Therapist, Sports Enthusiast, Teacher, Vegan, Blogger, Artist and much more... 
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