Power Taping for Crossfit Fitness in Canada - Taping movements, not muscles

Power Taping for Crossfit Workouts

For over 500 years, anatomy has been classically taught on the “isolated muscle” theory, focusing on individual muscle structure and function. Therapists of all disciplines typically learn origin, insertion, innervation and action of muscles in an isolated environment, with very little regard for their functional effect on movement as a whole. As a result, many sports and rehabilitation taping protocols are based on outdated concepts that muscles work in isolation, rather than applying what we now understand about movement, functional neurology, and the somatosensory system.

PowerTaping, in contrast, is based on the obvious yet largely overlooked concept of muscles acting as a chain. PowerTaping utilizes “longitudinal anatomy” and “movement pattern” concepts as a guide in the assessment, taping, and training method.

PowerTaping was originally developed by Dr. Steven Capobianco, M.A, D.C, DACRB, CCSP. A long term student of fascial and movement anatomy, he has harvested what he learned through the emerging research on the “all one fascia” concept popularized by the innovative mind of Thomas W. Myers, LMT, NCTMB, ARP in his book Anatomy Trains. With the growing body of evidence supporting the role of the fascial system, we would, as movement specialists, be amiss if we didn’t start applying this knowledge to revise what we currently do in our therapeutic and performance practices.

Even though the main focus of is movement taping, we will be communicating how PowerTaping can be used in many stages of corrective and performance care:

1.      Rehab Specific Taping: demystifying kinesiology taping for acute pain control.

2.      Edema Control Taping: a simple yet effective method to reduce swelling and chronic edema

3.      Postural Control Taping: a structural approach which corrects postural bio-mechanical dysfunction

4.      PowerTaping Method for Sports Performance: a revolutionary new concept that can be used to proactively improve performance for competitive athletes

Rocktape’s Open Source Concept

What is open source? Wikipedia defines the concept this way:

“open source is a philosophy or pragmatic methodology that promotes free redistribution and access to an end product's design and implementation details.”qsassasasasasasq

So what does this have to do with tape and movement? At Rocktape we believe that knowledge and information are to be shared. We also believe that others have as much to share as we do. We believe, that together we can create something that is important, useful and most importantly, pragmatic.

Why? Because this is how you win in today’s information-based world. At Rocktape, we embrace the philosophy of “doing well by doing good”.

Our goal is to provide movement therapists not just a new technique, but a new model, for the exploration and discussion of the fascial movement-based taping, and to create a community that can explore and contribute to this concept and advance the protocol with more knowledge and testing.

For a new methodology to grow and become mainstream, we need to collectively band together and formulate new, better, and more efficient means of taping that are clinically viable.

Visit www. RockTapeCanada.com for more information about power taping for crossfit fitness, and download your copy of the power taping manuals.

Kinesiology Taping | Applications of Power Taping to Improve Performance in Sports

Kinesiology taping or power taping for athletic performance is a four step system:

1.       Identify sport specific motor chain

2.       Preload by engaging the structure through stretch

3.       Activate the sport specific chain

4.       Train the sport specific chain

1. Identify Sport-Specific Motor Chain

Start by performing a functional assessment as outlined in the Assessment section of this manual. Use the Assessment Form.

2. Fascial Lengthening Phase: Preloading

With movement taping, we are required to lengthen a fascial continuity rather than a specific/isolated muscle. In order to stimulate the maximum number of cutaneous/fascial mechanoreceptors, we will place the athlete into a position that effectively elongates the entire chain. Chuck Wolf has developed an effective way to lengthen these chains with what he terms Flexibility Highways (http://www.3dhumanmotion.com/). We have also found that by “hanging” in a lengthened position, we can better elongate the fascial chain (> 1 min has shown to better lengthen fascial structures). To do this, we recommend assisted stretching aids such as Swiss balls, broom sticks, tables, chairs, etc. If we can maximally appreciate a fully lengthened position, we can better stimulate the appropriate mechanoreceptors and improve our movement patterns.

In preparation for the application of the PowerTaping, the athlete should perform the following steps to pre-load the system using:

A. Neural System

The neural system is best activated by using the following techniques:

1.       Foam Roll

2.       Trigger Point Ball Release

3.       Stick Release

By stimulating certain muscles receptors via pressure (above techniques), research has shown that the targeted muscle can neurally elongate. This will maximize the lengthening potential of the tissues to be taped.

PowerTaping for ATs/Kins and Coaches/Trainers. Roll with ball/foam roll/stick over targeted tissue. Scan to locate areas of tenderness. Once found, hold pressure (to tolerance) over area for 20-30seconds. Continue to scan and repeat process along length of chain.

B. Dynamic Warm Up and Priming, to maximize length potential

Priming the nervous system via a gradual warm up of whole body, multi-joint motions has been shown to help lengthen the target tissues, thus improving starting length of tissue to be taped.

C. Fascial Lengthening Method

The fascia is best lengthened by using the following techniques:

a.       Flexibility Highways (Chuck Wolf – Human Motion Associates)

b.       Yoga Poses

c.       Athletic posture/stance

Movement taping requires lengthening of fascial continuities (chains) rather than a specific/isolated muscle. In order to elongate the performance chains, we have the athlete perform various forms of fascial stretches. Chuck Wolf (Human Motion Associates – www.3dhumanmotion.com) has developed a revolutionary fascial flexibility program. In addition, yoga poses and/or athletic postures (i.e. 3 point stance, aero bike position) are other ways to elongate performance chains.

D. Assisted Stretching Props

The fascia can be lengthened by using the following techniques:

a.       Swiss Balls

b.       Sticks

c.       Bolsters

d.       Wall

Effectively elongating fascial chains requires the athlete to maintain a posture for an extended period of time (1+ minutes).   We have found that if you can “hang” on assistive equipment (above props), it is easier to maintain the required position to lengthen the chain.

3. Activate the Sport Specific Chain

After the pre-loading phase, the athlete can be taped using the longitudinal anatomy concept described in the following Performance Chains sections of the PowerTaping for ATs/Kins and Coaches/Trainers.

4. Train the Performance Chain

After taping according to the methods outlined, encourage new/improved movement patterns via cutaneous stimulation.

You can find more about kinesiology taping applications by visiting http://www.rocktapecanada.com.  If you need a Rock Doc and power taping practitioners in Ontario CA, just click on the link.

Kinesiology Taping for Sports Performance and Treatment of Various Conditions

RockTape is a special kind of tape known as kinesiology tape. First used by acupuncturists and chiropractors in Japan, today kinesiology tape is used by practitioners throughout the world not only to treat injuries but also to improve sports performance.

While the use of kinesiology tape in sports is often associated with athletes such as Serena Williams, Kerri Walsh and Lance Armstrong, RockTape has been also found effective for the treatment of a wide variety of problems, not just sports injuries.

What is Rocktape used for?

• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Jumpers knee (PFS)
• ACL/MCL issues
• Rotator cuff
• Groin and hamstring pulls
• Lower back issues
• Shin splints
• Tennis and golf elbow
• Pain associated with pregnancy
• Postural correction

Some instructional videos will show you how to tape for many different issues. Please note that if your issues are severe or do not improve within a day of using RockTape, you should seek help from a medical professional.

Kinesiology Taping to Improve Sports Performance

While a 5 hour marathoner cannot be turned into a 3 hour runner, there are methods to help you break the 3 hour barrier if you’re already close. When applied properly, RockTape can help athletes improve form and decrease fatigue through better blood flow. These are the two most critical aspects of increasing performance in almost any sport.

There are varied uses of RockTape for specific sports such as Triathlon, Running and CrossFit.

RockTape Kinesiology Taping is for Taping Movement, Not Muscles

If you are a chiropractor, physical therapist, sports doctor, personal trainer or other professional interested in learning to apply Rocktape to support sport-specific fascial chains, you can visit Fascial Movement Taping section of www.RockTapeCanada.com


How Does RockTape Works?

When RockTape is manufactured, a bias is introduced into the weave of the fabric so it stretches in one direction and not the other. This creates a bio-mechanical lifting mechanism that lifts the skin away from the soft tissue underneath, which allows more blood to move into an injured area to accelerate healing and recovery.

What is RockTape Made Of?

RockTape is a natural-hybrid product and consists of 97% cotton, 3% nylon and uses no drugs. The adhesive is a hypo-allergenic acrylic based adhesive and contains no latex.

Where Can RockTape be Purchased?

RockTape is sold by many retailers who offer products for runners, cyclists, triathletes and more. Call your favorite sporting goods store to see if they carry RockTape. If they don’t, you can check this link to find a retailer, or purchase through the online store.

How can I find someone who can tape me?

You can find a practitioner in your area that have been trained in the application of kinesiology tape before your sports activity engagement to improve your performance, or for treatment and management of your injuries, or for other various conditions as listed above.

For more on kinesiology taping applications, visit http://www.rocktapecanada.com.  If you need a Rock Doc or taping practitioners in Ontario CA, you can find them by clicking on the link.