Kinesio Tape

    Wednesday morning started out with an early morning physical therapy appointment.  In an effort to be in tip top shape for this Sunday, I actually booked 3 physical therapy appointments for this week.  Unlike all my other appointments which normally take place in the early evening, this one was actually booked for 7 am.  I have to say, I was half asleep when I walked in for the appointment.  I always find it really hard to wake up for anything besides work.  That's why I always prefer to work out at night since I know I won't be able to actually get myself out of bed for an early morning workout when it can be done later in the day.
    The physical therapy appointment went just like all the other ones have .... ultrasound, deep tissue massage, stretching.  At the end of this appointment though, we decided to try something new ... Kinesio Tape.  Kinesio tape is a type of tape that gets put on the skin and is may help with overuse injuries.  The data behind using this type of taping is mixed, but some people claim that it works.  The idea is that it helps stretch the skin / muscle, improves blood flow, promotes healing and may prevent inflammation.  I know it sounds like a huge crock of **** but I am desperate and willing to try anything.  Furthermore, both Lance Armstrong and Kerry Walsh (olympic beach volleyball gold medalist, see below) have used it and felt that it helped ... if its good enough for them ... its good enough for me.  The taping actually took about 5 minutes.  It consists of a large "Y" shaped band of tape that starts on the outside of the knee and runs up the outside of my leg towards the hip.  About halfway up the quad, it splits into the "Y" shape.
     I tested out the tape later that day and it seemed to work.  I was able to run about 3 miles before I even felt a twinge in my knee.  In total I did about 4 miles worth of running before I made it back to the house.  Hopefully it will continue to help.  Even if it just delays the IT band from acting up for 20-30 minutes, thats a huge gain!  I am actually heading back to physical therapy on Friday to get "re-taped" in preparation for Sunday's long run.

   You Tube Video Showing Kinesio Tape for IT Band Syndrome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCReh8GCUjc