OK, so I sheepishly mentioned some knee pain during my trip to Florida. It was a bit of a surprise and frankly annoying. I did cut my miles down to 49+7 miles on the eliptical that week, but ended up running 70 last week. With some pain. But not much.
A while back I purchased some kinesiotape from REI. Frankly, I am very skeptical of all runner gimmicks: ice baths (particularly in line of current research which shows that icebaths actually prevent muscles from getting stronger because it reduces inflammation, which is the body's way of getting stronger; unless I am injured, I am off the ice!), ART, Graston, kinesiotape, you name it. I am going to pay money for something if I know its efficacy is documented by science. Except the kinesiotape was cheap and pink and I could not resist. And when one is injured, the need the science kind off goes down the drain (at least for me, unless we are talking really expensive or dangerous procedures).
So 2 Saturdays ago I had 13 miles with 6@ HMP and I knew I needed to get the run done. I pulled out the tape and followed the directions on the box for "full knee support". The moment I put the tape on I felt coolness in my leg and absolutely no pain. Boom! I could not believe it. The knee had a bit of pain during the warm up, but it went away and I had no issues during that run and subsequent runs. I kept the tape on until Wednesday morning. I wore stalkings at work so took the tape off (vanity, vanity!). That day I had nonstop knee pain. I was getting worried. I got home, put the tape back on, and boom, no pain. I now had 3 runs with absolutely no pain, and am thinking of waiting a couple more days before going tapeless. Not sure what to make of this. The research is lacking. What I know for sure is that I will be taping any little niggle I might develop, as I learn what are things I can (knee pain, ITB, ankle pain, back pain - all things I was successful in managing in the past without taking a break from running) and can't (e.g., bone issues such as shin splints/stress fractures) run through.
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14 comments:
interesting post. after reading about your knee pain and subequent taping, i went out and bought myself a roll to address my own knee pain wc had made running impossible since dec. 17. coincidentally i also went to physio and got ultrasound and e-stim (love love love the e-stim). anyway the pain resolved & i started running again so i never opened the tape (was actually dissapointed bc was so curious and mine is purple!). here is my concern, are you further injuring yourself by running on a joint that is painful without being taped? is the tape somehow masking pain (like using anti-inflamms prior to training). it cincerns me that you have pain as soon as you remove the tape that resolves as soon as the tape is back on... the concern being you might unknowingly be causing damage. just some thoughts... that being said, being a runner, if taping was the only thing that allowed me to run, i would probably do it.
@PPC -great point! I have run through knee pain in the past, 3 years ago, without taping. Same type of pain, and the pain went away after 3 weeks or so. I think the tape stabilized my knee this time (I believe there was a tracking issue due to overuse from running on concrete). Will see what happens when I take the tape off. I have also run through ankle pain by taping my foot (with regular tape - which makes me wonder whether the kinesiotape is any different really from regular tape) for about 3 weeks, and then was fine. I do believe some pains just go away on their own. WIll see! So glad you are back to running!
Ha! Love that we kind of posted on similar thoughts but not really. I am glad to hear your thoughts on Ice baths because I gave them up as one of the prices to pay for staying injury free. No more of that nonsense for me unless I am injured. I do however believe that graston and kinesio tape work for preventing and treating/helping with injury. I'm sure research is lacking on a lot of good things out there...just gotta do what works for you. And I've come to be much more open to trying new things that seemed silly to me before. It also helps having a doctor that I trust...one that has been around for awhile. I just do what he says and hope for the best. Ha! So glad your knee has been responding well to the tape. Ha! AM is sporting the KTape! Take some pics to show us your tape job...or just me. I need an excuse to see those sexy knees anyway! :)
I second Amanda's request: photos!
I've read that research and I BELIEVE in it! Mostly because I hate icebaths-ha! I never take them.
I'm not into a lot of things. Compression socks, calf sleeves, icebaths, sparkle skirts (where did that come from) until I'm injured and then I believe in everything that might possibly cure me.....I've tried Kineseotape on my fibula but then again I was past the point of no return at that point. Funny you should write this as I was just considering trying some for a shin niggle.
Surely glad you've had 3 runs with no pain:)
laughing at Jenn's comment. Where did those things come from? ha!
I have had a kinesio tape on my ITB nonstop for 6 months. I kid you not. The one my guy was using lasted easily 10+ days (and i was swimming every day!) and i went to see him every 14 days or so. I became a taped leg pool weirdo and i usually matched my swim suit to the tape color. I wore it with shorts when i went to town and had littke kids pointing at me. I really do not
know whether it was helping but i think it was. I also used it for some achilles pain and i think it worked. However i taped my itb once myself and i did not like the "feeling" so you probably need to know how to do it properly. I have not used tape since october but if my itb starts acting up it will be the first thing i will do.
I just used a sample of kt tape a few weeks ago on my knee and I loved it. I really felt that it helped with the ache I was having. Down side is that I want to use it everywhere. And it does get expensive.
Welp, guess this is the next thing I try out of the injury magic hat!
I think I am with others here. I don't like having to use any "aids" to run. I want to have running be enjoyable and not worrisome. But if I had to tape to run, I would most certainly find a way to get sponsored by KT tape :)
I am glad you are finding a way to run and praying this is just one of those passing things that will not need tape once all the muscles and ligaments respond as they should.
Hugs to you, R
Ha! I love your reasons for making the purchase in the first place (pink, cheap!) :D
It kind of worries me to hear you say that whilst you have little to no pain whilst using the tape it returns without it..... Pain is a pretty good indication that you need time to let something heal, not what you want to hear of course. I just wonder if you're enabling your body to still do something and the pain signal is not being allowed to rear it's ugly head you could be doing.....more damage. Sounds like a great solution in the VERY short term ie to get you through a race you've worked hard for but long term? Anyway, I hope this isn't an issue for long and that knee starts behaving itself :)
This is so funny! I was just thinking about KT tape today! I'm not using it right now, but Nick and I have argued about its usefulness in the past. I'll agree with him that there's no real evidence to back it up, but that when I've used it, it has helped. And I don't think it's a placebo thing b/c Tylenol and Ibuprofen do nothing for my pain. I can see some people are worried about you, but sometimes the tape just helps get you through whatever is going on. And I think does works by keeping things lined up correctly and adding just a tiny bit of support. In the past, I've used it for a week or two, and then didn't need it anymore.
It's funny about the ice baths. I just can't make myself take an ice bath, but I have been taking 4-6 ice cubes and rubbing my legs down with the ice after most runs (takes about 5 minutes). I feel nearly positive this is how I've run injury free for the last year. Key word "feel". I am usually a show me the evidence kind of gal, but it seems to me there's so much we don't understand that sometimes we have to go with our gut. I hope I'm not causing more damage in the long run...maybe that's something I have to think about...
Hmmmm - have been contemplating kinesio tape for that old knee injury of mine which ALWAYS comes back when I run harder or longer or faster - my osteo always gets me back on the road but I'm wondering whether the tape might help get me back on track? Or the knee cap back in track? Am investigating it right now.
Oh well thank you for posting this and for inspiring us how does kinesio tape really work. Thank you.
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